In a debate in the European Parliament MEPs have called EU governments and the European Commission to account for their failure to make a reality of the promise of 'European citizenship' through consular protection for all EU citizens who get into trouble or a crisis abroad.
EU law says a passport-holder of any EU country such as the UK is entitled to go for help to the embassy or consulate of any other EU state if their own authorities are not represented there. But, as the experience of MEPs caught up in the horrific terrorist violence in Mumbai last November showed, the practical implementation of this promise is at best patchy.
Sarah Ludford MEP, Liberal Democrat Justice and Human Rights Spokeswoman, who has helped many people receive justice abroad, such as the British plane-spotters accused of spying in Greece and is a patron of the organisation Fair Trials International, said:
"It is clear that even when some of their citizens were kidnapped, tortured and imprisoned illegally at Guantanamo, some EU states including the UK have failed in their duty to insist on fair treatment or trial. But thousands of travellers and holidaymakers need to be able to rely on an EU country to rescue them in a disaster or protect them from oppressive governments abroad."
"While there have been some successes such as the 2004 Asian tsunami and
2006 Lebanon joint EU evacuation operations, there need to be legally binding rules on individuals' rights to consular assistance, and practical measures put in place such as accessible websites with information and stickers in passports."
"The UK government claims that no British citizen has a right to consular help, and that it is at the discretion of the government. Even the courts have not been able to force action. Of course the taxpayer cannot be expected to pay all the costs which should properly be covered by travel insurance, but official support in dealing with red tape and emergencies should be a clear right, and from any EU embassy."
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