Human rights rollercoaster

Guy Aitchison (London, OK): Mixed developments in human rights law today. The House of Lords ruled that the European Convention on Human Rights does apply to those in the custody of British troops abroad - a ruling which means, according to Shami Chakrabati, that "there can never be a British Guantanamo". Meanwhile, in the Commons, there was a more disturbing development. Blair was asked to defend his decision to commit Britain to the European Convention on Human Rights, and therefore "bind parliament which is sovereign". He stated forcefully that parliamentary sovereignty is a "constitutional principle and constitutional fact" and described his annoyance at the way in which the ECHR has been interpreted by judges so as to prevent the deportation of foreign nationals to countries that practice torture. Although he did not propose withdrawing from the ECHR (something being considered by the Conservatives), he suggested that it might be re-written to allow such deportations. This follows indications by French President Sarkozy that he and Blair had agreed at G8 a "framework for a simplified foreign treaty agreement". Is a new consensus emerging amongst European leaders-one which would compromise the EU's commitment to non-negotiable human rights?