We, the undersigned, are ordinary British citizens. We value human rights, fairness, and justice. But we are growing increasingly concerned that our membership of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) is being exploited in ways that put the safety of our families, communities, and nation at risk.

This petition is not driven by hate, xenophobia, or extremism. It is driven by compassion—for the innocent, for victims, and for the right of every citizen to live free from fear. We seek balance, common sense, and public accountability.

What Is the Problem? The ECHR has, in recent years, been used by foreign criminals and terrorism suspects to avoid deportation from the UK. Articles intended to ensure humane treatment and due process have instead become shields for those with violent pasts or extremist intentions.

Examples of Concern:

1. Marlon Martins Dos Santos – A Brazilian man convicted of child rape and murder used Article 3 of the ECHR to avoid extradition to Brazil. He remained in the UK and later committed further child abuse offences.

2. Nicolas Gomes De Brito – Also from Brazil, this gang murder suspect avoided removal due to ECHR arguments around prison conditions in his home country.

3. Haroon Aswat – Linked to a U.S.-based jihad training camp, he avoided extradition on mental health grounds under Article 3.

4. Abu Qatada – An extremist cleric considered a threat to national security, Qatada remained in the UK for years while launching repeated appeals under ECHR Articles 3 and 6. He only left after a long, expensive legal battle that exposed the limits of the UK’s ability to act decisively.

These cases represent just a few examples of a broader issue: when serious criminals use the ECHR to avoid justice, public confidence in the legal system erodes—and the risk to everyday people increases.

What We Are Asking For: We call on the UK Government and Parliament to:

1. Amend the Human Rights Act so that foreign nationals convicted of serious crimes (murder, rape, terrorism) cannot invoke ECHR protections to avoid deportation.

2. Rebalance judicial and governmental powers, ensuring that the Home Office has final authority over deportation decisions involving national security or serious criminality.

3. Conduct a full review of the UK's obligations under the ECHR. If adequate reforms cannot be secured through negotiation or legal amendment, we urge preparation for a responsible, democratic withdrawal from the Convention.

Why It Matters:

Safety is non-negotiable. The British public should not have to tolerate violent criminals remaining here due to foreign court rulings.

Human rights must work both ways. The rights of victims and potential victims must count as much as those of convicted criminals.

Democracy demands it. The British people must have a voice when international frameworks compromise our safety.

Our Values: This petition is not about race, religion, or ideology. It is about public safety and legal clarity. We believe in a fair, inclusive, and just Britain. But fairness does not mean allowing violent criminals to manipulate systems meant to protect the vulnerable.

We are not far-right. We are not reactionaries. We are parents, workers, teachers, nurses, tradespeople, students—people who simply want to feel safe in our own towns and cities.

Call to Action: Join us in calling for sensible reform. Let’s protect what makes Britain great—our safety, our rule of law, and our democratic institutions.

Sign this petition to show Parliament and the Government that it is time to act decisively: either reform our relationship with the ECHR or, if that proves impossible, leave it.

We demand justice, safety, and a Britain that protects its own.