Council of Europe and the European Convention on Human Rights Debate

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Department: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

Council of Europe and the European Convention on Human Rights

Andy Slaughter Excerpts
Wednesday 5th November 2025

(1 day, 10 hours ago)

Westminster Hall
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Cat Eccles Portrait Cat Eccles
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I thank the hon. Gentleman for his contribution.

Earlier this year, my hon. Friend the Member for Edmonton and Winchmore Hill (Kate Osamor) reported on Europe’s demographic ageing and the decline in youth and working-age populations, highlighting the impact on the elderly, public services, labour markets and pensions. PACE adopted a resolution urging greater support for older people and called on member states to develop effective policies to ensure their wellbeing and quality of life. It also recommended improving policies to promote migrant integration and social cohesion.

Andy Slaughter Portrait Andy Slaughter (Hammersmith and Chiswick) (Lab)
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We are also celebrating another event: the 25th anniversary of the coming into force of the Human Rights Act 1998. Like the European convention, it is about the rights of the individual against the state, and it gives individuals in this country the right to enforce those rights. Those are both things that we should be celebrating.

Cat Eccles Portrait Cat Eccles
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My hon. Friend is absolutely right.