BRITAIN has agreed to a Council of Europe “political declaration” that experts warned today will water down legal protections for torture victims.

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper was among ministers from 46 countries who signed the declaration aimed at influencing the way the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) is interpreted by European and domestic courts.

It was signed in the Moldovan capital, Chisinau, and says that states have the “undeniable sovereign right to control the entry and residence of foreign nationals” and suggests “return hubs” to “address and potentially deter irregular migration.”

Professor Eirik Bjorge KC, the author of Courts as Faithful Trustees: Domestic Application of the ECHR, warned it sought to interfere with the independence of the judiciary but would be rejected by judges.

Freedom from Torture director and torture survivor Kolbassia Haoussou said: “Every safeguard dismantled today will be a gift to those who seek to abuse power tomorrow.”

Liberty director Akiko Hart said the declaration is a “hugely significant moment.

“We are deeply concerned that changing how the ECHR is used by UK courts will open the door to a gradual weakening of human rights protections.”

The government has claimed that articles 3 and 8 of the convention — the right to live free from torture and the right to family life — have been exploited by criminals to frustrate their deportation and extradition.

Ms Cooper said: “We have been working with neighbours across Europe to ensure that countries can take strong action against illegal migration, control borders, uphold the rule of law and respect international standards.”