He denied that it was a friend of terrorists or illegal immigrants, following criticism that the court has increasingly prevented the deportation of illegal immigrants and migrants who commit criminal offences.
He said the UK also had to consider how leaving would effect Northern Ireland’s power sharing agreement and the post-Brexit deal with the EU, both of which include a legal commitment to shared human rights principles.
Leaving, he argued, would send a “really negative signal” for Ukraine because of the Council of Europe’s central role, supported by the UK, in preparations for tribunals in relation to war crimes.
“Churchill was the father of the Council of Europe, and the convention,” said Berset.
“It will be quite difficult and really hard to see this [the UK quitting]. There is no alternative. We need to have some room, places, where we are in discussion together.”
He added: “It will be an interesting test for all of us. Are we able to avoid the wars to make sure that in this phase of divergence that we are witnessing right now, are we strong enough to make sure again, that we have convergence, take control of what we want to have as a future collectively?”