European nations agree to consider weakening protections for migrants dating to WWII

BRUSSELS (AP) — As sympathy for immigrants erodes around the world, European nations agreed Wednesday to consider changes that rights advocates say would weaken migrant protections that have underpinned European law since World War II.

The consensus coalesced as mainstream political parties across Europe have adopted tougher migration policies as a way to blunt the momentum of far-right politicians exploiting discontent over immigration, even though illegal border crossings are actually falling.

Members of the 46 countries that make up the Council of Europe acknowledged "challenges" posed by migration while reaffirming their respect for the European Convention on Human Rights and the European Court of Human Rights, the council's secretary general, Alain Berset, told journalists after discussions in Strasbourg, France.

Berset described the 75-year-old convention as a “living instrument." While nations reaffirmed their commitment to the rights and freedoms of the convention, they also recognized countries’ responsibility to “safeguard national vital interests such as security.”

The convention and the court, which handles complaints against the council, have been increasingly criticized by some member states, including Italy, Denmark and the United Kingdom. They argue that they are too limited in how far they can go to tackle illegal migration and deport migrants who commit crimes.

Ministers of the 46 countries will now begin debating a political declaration on migration to be adopted in May and a new recommendation to deter human smuggling, Berset added.

The council, which is not an European Union institution, was set up in the wake of World War II to promote peace and democracy.

Discussions over the need to reform or reinterpret the convention as it relates to migrants began last year after nine nations signed a letter attempting to curtail the power of the court, the council's independent legal arm.

The group of nations argued that the court’s interpretation of rights and obligations prevented them from expelling migrants who commit crimes and keeping their countries safe. Berset defended the court's independence at the time, but support for a tougher stance has only grown.

While Berset sought to downplay the division, 27 nations signed a separate statement Wednesday calling for a less restrictive interpretation of the law, echoing the arguments made last year.

"A right balance has to be found between the migrants’ individual rights and interests and the weighty public interests of defending freedom and security in our societies,” it read.

Andrew Forde, co-founder of the AGORA group of academics, researchers and lawyers, said Wednesday's conclusions and the statement signed by two-thirds of the members showed clearly that the majority of governments supported a more conservative understanding of the convention based on political interest.

“For the first time in the history of the Council of Europe, member states have pinpointed a specific group of people that they want to afford fewer rights protection to,” said Forde who previously worked for the council.

Meanwhile, the prime ministers of Denmark and the U.K. published an op-ed Tuesday in the Guardian newspaper calling for tighter migration controls to deny entry to those seeking better economic opportunities as opposed to fleeing conflict.

“The best way of fighting against the forces of hate and division is to show that mainstream, progressive politics can fix this problem,” wrote Mette Frederiksen and Keir Starmer.

Separately, in Brussels, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen spoke to ministers from the 27 nations of the EU and pledged to dismantle smuggling networks that bring people into the bloc illegally.

“Our goal is simple. We want to bankrupt their businesses through all means available,” von der Leyen said at an event marking the second anniversary of the EU-led Global Alliance to Counter Migrant Smuggling.

While migration is high on the political agenda, irregular border crossings into the EU were down 22% from January to October this year compared with the same period last year, according to Frontex, the EU’s border and coast guard agency. The agency recorded 152,000 unauthorized border crossings in the first 10 months of the year.

Most migration to Europe is legal, with many migrants entering on visas that they then overstay.

The EU has spent billions of euros (dollars) to deter illegal migration, paying countries in Africa and the Middle East to intercept migrants trying to cross the Mediterranean and the Atlantic.

At the same time, European nations facing aging populations and labor shortages have been investing in programs to attract and train foreign workers.

Brito reported from Barcelona.

FILE - View of the Council of Europe, Wednesday, June 25, 2025 in Strasbourg, eastern France. (AP Photo/Pascal Bastien, File)

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen addresses a Conference of the Global Alliance to Counter Migrant Smuggling at the EU Charlemagne building in Brussels, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

From left, European Commissioner for Financial Services Maria Luis De Albuquerque, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner arrive for a Conference of the Global Alliance to Counter Migrant Smuggling at the EU Charlemagne building in Brussels, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen steps off the podium after addressing a Conference of the Global Alliance to Counter Migrant Smuggling at the EU Charlemagne building in Brussels, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen addresses a Conference of the Global Alliance to Counter Migrant Smuggling at the EU Charlemagne building in Brussels, Wednesday, Dec 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — The pressure was already on Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso and a 2-1 defeat to Manchester City in the Champions League on Wednesday raised further questions about his future.

Arsenal remains perfect in this season's competition and three points clear at the top of the standings after a 3-0 win against Club Brugge, while defending champion Paris Saint-Germain was held 0-0 at Athletic Bilbao.

The clash between Madrid and City was the standout game of the round and Alonso had faced reports this week that he had lost control of the locker room. Speculation over his position is likely to intensify after a latest defeat. It’s now just two wins in eight games for Madrid and back-to-back home losses.

There were jeers inside the Bernabeu at the final whistle.

“We know it’s a tough moment for us and for the coach,” Madrid winger Rodrygo said. “Things are not going our way and I wanted to show that we are behind our the coach. He has been trying. I wanted to show that we are together and we need to be united to keep moving forward and achieve our goals.”

Rodrygo had put Madrid in front in the 28th minute, but goals from Nico O’Reilly and Erling Haaland before halftime sealed victory for City.

Alonso looked frustrated on the sidelines as he watched his blunt attack waste chances to salvage something in the absence of the injured Kylian Mbappé, who was an unused substitute.

Vinicius Junior failed to hit the target with two chances from close range and Jude Bellingham lifted another effort over the bar with only the goalkeeper to beat.

Asked if he was worried about his future, Alonso said: “I’m worried about our next match. The important thing here is Real Madrid. It’s about the team, the players, and how I can help them. This isn’t about me.”

Bellingham said the squad was “100%” behind Alonso.

“The noise will not be helpful. So it’s about us trying to figure it out inside the dressing room,” Bellingham told TNT Sports.

Record 15-time European champion Madrid is seventh in the standings, with only the top eight teams automatically advancing to the round of 16.

“As a player inside the changing room, seeing what we’ve got in there, working with the coach every day, I think we have everything we need to turn it around,” Bellingham said.

Top of the Premier League and top of the Champions League, too, Arsenal swept aside Club Brugge to maintain its 100% record in Europe.

Noni Madueke scored twice and Gabriel Martinelli got the other for Mikel Arteta's team, which has seen its lead in England's top flight cut from six points to two in recent weeks.

There are no such concerns in Europe.

“Our mentality is our strength," Arteta said.

PSG couldn't find a winner in Bilbao, but with 13 points after six games, the French giant has already equaled the total amount it picked up in the league phase last season before going on to win the trophy.

Italian champion Napoli lost 2-0 at Benfica, while Weston McKennie was on target for Juventus in a 2-0 win at Pafos.

Both Napoli and Juventus have only won two of their six games in the league phase.

Alejandro Grimaldo made the difference again for Bayer Leverkusen, scoring in the 88th to rescue a 2-2 draw against Newcastle.

Leverkusen coach Kasper Hjulmand missed the game for personal reasons, the club said an hour before kickoff.

Jeers rang out at full time at Borussia Dortmund after Norway’s Bodo/Glimt sealed a 2-2 draw, equalizing twice after Julian Brandt goals for Dortmund.

The result helps neither team, with Dortmund’s chances of direct qualification for the round of 16 taking a dent. Bodo/Glimt has three draws but no wins in its debut Champions League season.

Ajax scored three goals late in the game to deny Qarabag a surprise win in one of the early kickoffs.

Four-time European champion Ajax twice trailed against its Azerbaijani opponent, but fought back to win 4-2 in Baku.

Qarabag has been one of the surprise packages in this season’s competition and led after 10 minutes through Camilo Duran. Matheus Silva scored two minutes into the second half to make it 2-1 after Kasper Dolberg had leveled for Ajax.

But Ajax powered back with three goals in 11 minutes. Oscar Gloukh scored in the 79th and 90th, with Anton Gaaei getting the other in the 82nd.

Copenhagen also scored late to win 3-2 at Villarreal.

Substitute Andreas Cornelius struck in the 90th to seal victory in a game where Copenhagen had twice been pegged back after taking the lead.

Tales Azzoni in Madrid and James Ellingworth in Düsseldorf contributed.

James Robson is at https://x.com/jamesalanrobson

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Manchester City's Erling Haaland, center, celebrates with teammates after scoring their side's second goal during a Champions League opening phase soccer match between Real Madrid and Manchester City, in Madrid, Spain, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

PSG's head coach Luis Enrique reacts during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Athletic Bilbao and PSG in Bilbao, Spain, Wednesday, Dec.10, 2025. (AP Photo/Miguel Oses)

Arsenal's Noni Madueke celebrates after scoring his sides second goal during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Club Brugge and Arsenal in Bruges, Belgium, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)

Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham reacts after missing a chance during a Champions League opening phase soccer match between Real Madrid and Manchester City, in Madrid, Spain, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe sits at the bench before a Champions League opening phase soccer match between Real Madrid and Manchester City, in Madrid, Spain, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Manchester City's Erling Haaland, center, celebrates with teammates after scoring their side's second goal during a Champions League opening phase soccer match between Real Madrid and Manchester City, in Madrid, Spain, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Real Madrid's head coach Xabi Alonso sits at the bench before a Champions League opening phase soccer match between Real Madrid and Manchester City, in Madrid, Spain, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Copenhagen's Elias Achouri, right, challenges for the ball with Villarreal's Ilias Akhomach during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Villareal and Copenhagen in Villareal, Spain, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Alberto Saiz)

Ajax's Kasper Dolberg reacts during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Qarabag and Ajax in Baku, Azerbaijan, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. (AP Photo)

Real Madrid's head coach Xabi Alonso takes his seat on the bench before the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Celta Vigo in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)