Petition · Cabinet Office

Write law that a referendum is required for the UK to be able to leave the ECHR

Open for signatures 7,792 signatures

What the petition asks

The European Convention on Human Rights enshrines our basic human rights, gives us the right to a fair trial, right to privacy and helps protect us from things like torture, unlawful killing, slavery but also punishment without law and freedom of speech, assembly, religion, privacy and much more.
I want the government to write into law that in order for any future government to be able to leave the European Convention of Human Rights, which is separate to the European Union, a referendum must take place in order to force politicians to put the case to the people so the pros and cons can have a proper public debate and such a fundamental change be directly decided by the people.

We believe this kind of change is something that only the people should be able to decide

Timeline

24 Feb 2026 Petition opened for signatures

Key facts

Signatures 7,792
Status Open for signatures
Department Cabinet Office
Opened 24 Feb 2026

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 26 Jul 2026.