Gransnet forums

News & politics

Post Brexit Loss of Human Rights ...

(19 Posts)
biba70 Tue 29-Dec-20 09:29:02

Well they did not put THIS on a bus either, and itis perhaps of the most worrying statement coming out since the Deal

British citizens arrested overseas through no fault of their own have no right to the government’s assistance or protection, even if they are tortured or held as diplomatic leverage against their country, the Foreign Office has said.

Never thought they Priti and co would sink so so low.

PamelaJ1 Tue 29-Dec-20 09:33:38

Not an attitude from the Foreign office that I welcome but what has it to do with Brexit?

Smileless2012 Tue 29-Dec-20 09:37:52

My question too Pamela; this refers to British citizens arrested overseas, not just in Europe.

biba70 Tue 29-Dec-20 10:50:55

Well I'll grant you that it is a very complex subject.

Ever since we have been part of EU- our Human Rights Charter more or less fully mirrored that of the EU. Brexit however, has severed those links, not just about UK citizens in the EU, but UK citizens throughout the world. The Statement above could have never been made as we were part of the EU, as it would have contravened our agreements.

Just as can and probably will atttempt with Workers' Rights.

Why not do a bit of research for yourself. Plenty of really interesting articles to be found on the subject, not from lefty subversive people, but top highly experienced specialists from top UK Universities.

Smileless2012 Tue 29-Dec-20 11:06:58

It's always been the case biba. Our government has in the past used what little leverage available to work on behalf of our citizens imprisoned in other countries and no doubt will continue to do so.

It's been this way throughout our EU membership and nothing is changing because of Brexit.

westendgirl Tue 29-Dec-20 11:26:13

I am very concerned with the Foreign Office and government's inaction over Nazanin Zaghari -Ratcliffe, widely reported in the press.There have been no visits from British embassy staff.
We owe a debt to Iran , a fact which is widely acknowledged and which we have been told to pay ,Boris Johnson made her situation much worse by his careless comments . It seems that the F.O have washed their hands of the whole situation

Lucretzia Tue 29-Dec-20 11:28:26

This has always been the case, biba70

As has been mentioned on the other thread where you mentioned it

Nothing to do with Priti Patel!

biba70 Tue 29-Dec-20 11:57:52

''British citizens arrested overseas through no fault of their own have no right to the government’s assistance or protection, even if they are tortured or held as diplomatic leverage against their country, the Foreign Office has said.''

what do you mean it has always been the case. This is one of the principal duty of our Foreign Office, to protect our citizens when mistreated abroad. They are NO saying this will no longer be the case. The statement is not about Zaghari-Radliffe, but a GENERAL statement for the future.

25Avalon Tue 29-Dec-20 12:03:02

“Not from lefty subversive people, but top highly experienced specialists from top UK universities”.

I thought lefty woke people had taken over our universities.

Lucretzia Tue 29-Dec-20 12:07:22

You need to do some more research.

You have leapt on a sensationalist story without knowing the facts

Jules48 Tue 29-Dec-20 12:07:31

I thought you were Swiss biba70?

Smileless2012 Tue 29-Dec-20 12:13:24

It never has been the case biba; Brexit hasn't made any difference to this at all. I realise you like to make sensationalist statements regarding all things bad about Brexit, but this is nonsense and you should check the facts before posting.

Lucretzia Tue 29-Dec-20 12:14:59

You're wrong, biba70

lemongrove Tue 29-Dec-20 12:20:17

I cannot understand biba why you are continuing this this false claim.
It has always been the case ( as I said on the other thread to you) that the FO has no legal rights or obligations to get British citizens ( rightly or wrongly arrested) out of trouble.
The nearest embassy or consulate will always visit and look into what they can do to assist a British citizen, with their case but that’s all.

lemongrove Tue 29-Dec-20 12:30:32

In the Ratcliffe case, the FO took the decision ( rarely if ever used) to give her diplomatic protection, to highlight her case to the world and shame Iran.It didn’t make any difference of course with a country such as Iran, but was the right thing to do.
When in another country, if you are arrested, even falsely, there isn’t much that the home country can do in real terms.
In some cases a bit of political pressure may do the trick, but there is nothing legally that they can do.
That’s why the FO issues advice on being extremely careful about what you do, especially in sensitive countries.Taking photos indiscriminately, showing disrespect etc.
Many people are arrested just as scapegoats or for being in the wrong place at the wrong time, or for their nationality.

Blossoming Tue 29-Dec-20 14:43:28

Well, I did as biba70 suggested and carried out my own research. British citizens never had a legal right to consular or Government protection or assistance when arrested overseas, as is demonstrated by this Guardian article from 2019.

www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/jul/29/families-uk-british-citizens-held-abroad-consular-protection-nazanin-zaghari-ratcliffe-matthew-hedges

petra Tue 29-Dec-20 15:37:03

biba70
Here's an article just for you to show ( once again) just how wrong you are. And best of all: it's in the Gaudian ?
www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/oct/24/eu-workers-rights-capital-multinationals

Mamardoit Tue 29-Dec-20 16:04:10

Of course it's always been the case. Terry Waite and others were held captive for years. The government and the church were powerless.

What does the OP think the government should do? They can't even compel citizens of this country to comply with straight forward lock down rules. And yes they are very straight forward.

Callistemon Tue 29-Dec-20 16:22:56

Lucretzia

This has always been the case, biba70

As has been mentioned on the other thread where you mentioned it

Nothing to do with Priti Patel!

Oh, thank you Lucretzia
I was sure I said the same but couldn't see my post on this thread.
It's another thread.

This is not new, it has always been the case.

David Cameron did try to help Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe but there is, sadly, often little we can do if our citizens fall foul of other countries' disregard of the human rights we take for granted here.

Other than paying ransoms but, of course, that does put other British citizens in more danger when in such countries.