Political earthquake: Haimbuchner demands a reassessment of the ECHR
In a sensational move, Upper Austria's FPÖ state party chairman, Dr. Manfred Haimbuchner, has urged the federal government to reassess the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). This demand, made public on 26 September 2025, has far-reaching political and social implications that are sparking heated debates not only in Upper Austria but across all of Austria.
What is the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR)?
The European Convention on Human Rights is an international treaty adopted by the Council of Europe in 1950 and is intended to secure fundamental human rights and freedoms in the 47 member states. The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in Strasbourg monitors compliance with the Convention and is the final authority on human rights issues in Europe. This Convention was created after the Second World War to protect and promote human rights.
The FPÖ's criticism
Haimbuchner argues that the interpretation of the ECHR by European judges now hardly corresponds to the Convention's original intentions. He specifically criticizes that the ECHR prevents the deportation of the most serious criminals and leads to uncontrolled mass migration, which in turn would lead to an increase in crime.
- Prevented deportations of the most serious criminals
- Uncontrolled mass migration
- Rising crime rates
These points, Haimbuchner says, are the result of a "complete detachment of Brussels' case law".
Historical context and comparison
The European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) was created at a time of great uncertainty to ensure that the horrors of the Second World War would not be repeated. In Austria the ECHR is regarded as part of constitutional law, which gives it particular significance. By comparison, there are similar discussions in Germany about the role of the Basic Law in the context of European regulations.
In recent years several European countries, including Hungary and Poland, have criticized the interpretation of the ECHR, leading to tensions with the EU. These countries argue, similarly to the FPÖ, that national interests are being overridden by European decisions.
Impact on citizens
The demand for a reassessment of the ECHR could have far-reaching consequences for citizens. On the one hand, a more restrictive interpretation of the human rights convention could increase security by making it easier to deport criminals. On the other hand, this could lead to a restriction of individual freedoms.
A fictitious expert, Dr. Max Mustermann, commented as follows: "There is a danger that by focusing unilaterally on security the fundamental freedoms guaranteed by the ECHR will be hollowed out. A balanced approach is necessary to ensure both security and freedom."
Call for deportations to Syria
In another controversial move, Haimbuchner is calling for large-scale deportations to Syria and other countries in the Middle East. This follows the lifting of a deportation ban by the ECtHR. Haimbuchner emphasizes that it is not enough to deport a single Syrian while new migrants are entering the country.
Such demands are not new in European politics, but they are highly controversial. The security situation in Syria remains precarious, and many human rights organizations warn of the dangers that deported persons could face there.
Political contexts and dependencies
The FPÖ's demand could also be seen in the context of Austrian domestic politics. The FPÖ is trying to position itself as the party of internal security and to capitalize on growing dissatisfaction with migration policy. At the same time, the federal government is under pressure to uphold its international obligations while also responding to domestic political demands.
Future outlook
The debate about the ECHR and the FPÖ's demands will probably continue for a long time. The federal government faces the challenge of finding a way that ensures citizens' security while also respecting human rights. Whether there will be an actual reassessment of the ECHR remains to be seen.
Another fictional expert, Prof. Dr. Anna Beispiel, cautions: "A reform of the ECHR could endanger cohesion in Europe, since different countries have different priorities. It is important to conduct a dialogue that takes all voices into account."
The coming months will show how this debate develops and what steps the Austrian government will take to respond to the FPÖ's demands.
