British politicians have won the support of more than 16 countries to reform the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR) in a bid for governments across the continent to tackle illegal migration.

The ECHR has been blamed for stalling thousands of asylum deportation cases with more than 16 countries understood to have thrown support behind Britain’s move to change the way courts interpret the treaty.

Governments in Europe want greater freedom to deport migrants even if a move is claimed to impact on their right to a family life.

The proposals are likely to require amendments to the ECHR so that individual countries have more power to regulate their borders.

It could include reasons like economic wellbeing and national security, even if that potentially violates the rights of individuals.

The changes are expected to follow those made in 2021, referred to as the “margin of appreciation”, which made it a priority for the first time that protecting human rights under the convention was the main responsibility for states.

The previous changes also gave countries greater freedom in how they interpreted the treaty.

Ministers are hoping the changes can stop more serious examples of asylum seekers using the ECHR to avoid being deported.

An Albanian criminal who was jailed in March for more than three years after he ran a cannabis factory was not deported.

The Times reported that judges found it would deprive his daughter of a “male role model”.

Two fugitives wanted for murder and child rape in Brazil were successful in using Britain’s human rights law to avoid extradition.

The two men claimed that being extradited would breach their rights under Article 3 of the ECHR.

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It protects against torture and inhuman treatment.

The countries which have backed the changes include Australia, Belgium, Italy and Poland.

France, Germany, the Netherlands, Croatia and the Czech Republic have also backed the plans.

The countries attended a meeting in Copenhagen this month where they discussed how the changes could be introduced.

Any changes would require unanimous support, which British politicians believe is possible.

European Relations Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds told The Times that he and the Prime Minister had travelled to Copenhagen “with a mission”.

“To modernise how the ECHR is interpreted – not to abandon it,” he said.

“To work with partners, not posture against them.”

Mr Thomas-Symonds added that the UK had a “coalition of European countries” which were backing Britain’s approach.

Council of Europe Secretary-General Alain Berset, which oversees the running of the ECHR, admitted the world was “changing rapidly”.

He said there must be room for “adaptation”.

“I see the necessity to adapt but we must also do this respecting our core values,” Mr Berset added.