After watching The Mauritanian, I was left with one pressing thought: anyone who believes human rights are negotiable might want to give this film a go—and maybe have a serious word with themselves. Right now, both candidates for the Conservative Party leadership are openly talking about the UK pulling out of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). If that idea doesn’t send shivers down your spine, this film certainly will.

What Happens When Rights Go “Optional”

The Mauritanian isn’t just a courtroom drama. It’s a true story about Mohamedou Ould Slahi, a man who was detained in Guantanamo Bay for 14 years—without charge. For anyone on the fence about human rights, Slahi’s brutal experience with indefinite detention and torture should clarify why these protections matter. When any government can cherry-pick who deserves human rights, justice doesn’t just weaken; it collapses.

Life Without the ECHR: Not Exactly “Freedom”

The ECHR is more than just red tape; it’s a safeguard that says every person, even the accused, is entitled to a basic level of respect and protection. Watching The Mauritanian, it’s hard not to feel horrified at the thought of the UK tearing up that commitment. Yes, there are those who will argue that security requires a strong hand. But Slahi’s story is a chilling reminder that when we start making exceptions to human rights, real people suffer—and the principles we supposedly stand for start to crumble.

The Direction We’re Heading in Without Human Rights

If you think human rights protections are a “nice to have,” you might want to think again. The Mauritanian isn’t just a film; it’s a warning about what happens when societies decide that some people just don’t qualify for rights. It’s a bleak, brutal reality that should make all of us, leaders included, pause and consider where a country is headed when it starts tossing human rights aside.