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EU Leaders Urge Rethink of Human Rights Convention Amid Migration Pressures
In a move likely to spark debate across Europe, nine European Union member states have jointly called for a reinterpretation of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), arguing that current interpretations limit national governments’ ability to respond to migration challenges.
The open letter, published Thursday, is led by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, and is also signed by leaders from Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland.
The group of leaders argues that the evolving jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights has, in certain cases, stretched beyond the Convention’s original scope, creating obstacles for democratically elected governments to implement effective migration policies. “It is important to assess whether, in some cases, the court has over-extended the scope of the convention compared to its original intentions,” the letter states.
Specifically, the signatories say that European governments need more freedom to expel foreign nationals who commit crimes and to take action against perceived abuses of the asylum system. They also warn of the increasing use of migration as a geopolitical tool by “hostile states” seeking to destabilize EU borders.
At a press conference alongside Frederiksen, Prime Minister Meloni said the letter aims to open a broader political debate about the relevance and flexibility of international agreements like the ECHR in light of modern challenges. “We want to question whether the tools created in the past are still adequate for the realities of today, starting with migration,” she said.
The European Convention on Human Rights was adopted in 1950 under the Council of Europe and remains a cornerstone of human rights protection across the continent. It allows individuals to bring cases against states that are found to have violated their rights. All 46 Council of Europe member states, including all 27 EU countries, are bound by its provisions.
While the letter does not call for changes to the Convention itself, it does challenge how the Court has interpreted its provisions, suggesting that this interpretation may at times undermine national sovereignty.
The appeal comes amid rising support for anti-immigration parties across Europe, reflecting growing public concern over migration and border control. The debate is likely to intensify in the lead-up to European elections, as governments grapple with balancing human rights commitments and public demands for tighter immigration policies.
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Investigation Underway After Goa Nightclub Fire Kills at Least 25
Authorities in the Indian state of Goa have opened an investigation into a nightclub fire that killed at least 25 people, including several tourists, in one of the region’s most popular party districts. Six others were injured in the blaze, which broke out shortly after midnight in Arpora, a nightlife hub about 25 kilometres from the state capital, Panaji.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed the death toll in a statement posted on X, saying the victims included many of the club’s kitchen staff and a small number of visiting tourists. He added that all the injured were in stable condition and receiving medical treatment. Rescue teams recovered all bodies from the site.
Early reports from local police, cited by the Press Trust of India, indicated that a gas cylinder explosion triggered the fire. Witnesses, however, told the agency that the blaze appeared to start on the club’s first floor, where nearly 100 tourists were dancing at the time. As smoke and flames swept through the building, many people ran toward the lower floor, where they became trapped along with staff members.
Sawant said a formal inquiry would determine the exact cause and whether the club complied with fire safety regulations. He pledged strict action against anyone found responsible, writing on X that any negligence uncovered by investigators would be “dealt with firmly”.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as patrons attempted to flee the burning building. “We rushed out of the club only to see that the entire structure was up in flames,” said Fatima Shaikh, who was inside when the fire began.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences in a message on X, calling the incident “deeply saddening” and wishing the injured a swift recovery.
Local media reported that the club’s location along the Arpora River backwaters posed challenges for emergency crews. A narrow approach road forced fire engines to park about 400 metres from the entrance, slowing their response. Reports also revealed that the building had previously received a demolition notice after officials found it lacked a construction permit. That order was later withdrawn by senior state authorities, according to Arpora councillor Roshan Redkar.
Incidents involving gas cylinders and electrical faults are not unusual in India and often lead to heavy casualties, prompting renewed calls for stronger enforcement of safety standards. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the tragedy as a “criminal failure of safety and governance” and urged a transparent investigation to establish accountability and prevent future disasters.
The probe into the fire is expected to assess structural safety, emergency exits and compliance with existing regulations as authorities work to piece together how the late-night gathering turned into one of the deadliest incidents in the state in recent years.
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