Political earthquake: Haimbuchner calls for a reassessment of the ECHR
In a sensational move, the Upper Austrian FPÖ state party chairman, Dr. Manfred Haimbuchner, called on the federal government to reassess the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). This demand, which was 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 Austria.
What is the ECHR?
The European Convention on Human Rights is an international agreement adopted by the Council of Europe in 1950 and is intended to safeguard 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 matters in Europe. The Convention was created after World War II to protect and promote human rights.
The FPÖ's criticism
Haimbuchner argues that the interpretation of the ECHR by European judges no longer aligns with the original intentions of the Convention. 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 criminal offenses.
- Prevented deportations of serious criminals
- Uncontrolled mass migration
- Rising crime rates
These points, Haimbuchner says, are the result of a "complete autonomy of Brussels jurisprudence."
Historical context and comparison
The European Convention on Human Rights was created in a time of great uncertainty to ensure that the horrors of World War II would not be repeated. In Austria the ECHR is regarded as part of constitutional law, which gives it particular significance. By contrast, there are similar discussions in Germany about the role of the Basic Law (Grundgesetz) in the context of European regulations.
In recent years several European countries, including Hungary and Poland, have criticized the interpretation of the ECHR, which has led 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 liberties.
A fictitious expert, Dr. Max Mustermann, commented as follows: "There is a danger that a one-sided focus on security will hollow out the fundamental freedoms guaranteed by the ECHR. A balanced approach is necessary to ensure both security and freedom."
Demand for deportations to Syria
In a further 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 at the same time.
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 people could face there.
Political contexts and dependencies
The FPÖ's demand can also be seen in the context of Austrian domestic politics. The FPÖ is trying to position itself as a party of internal security and to profit from growing dissatisfaction with migration policy. At the same time the federal government is under pressure to both meet international obligations and respond to domestic demands.
Future outlook
The debate about the ECHR and the FPÖ's demands will likely continue for a long time. The federal government faces the challenge of finding a way that guarantees citizens' security while also respecting human rights. Whether an actual reassessment of the ECHR will take place remains to be seen.
Another fictitious 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.
