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UK’s Foreign Secretary Plans New Envoy for Detained Britons Abroad
David Lammy, the UK’s Foreign Secretary, has announced intentions to appoint a special envoy dedicated to handling “complex detention cases” involving British citizens abroad. This initiative comes in light of increased scrutiny on the support provided to Britons facing legal troubles overseas.
Following recent coverage by the Guardian regarding detained Britons, Lammy expressed that he has been meticulously reviewing the thousands of cases requiring consular assistance each year. “I do hope to announce an envoy who will deal with more complex detention cases,” he stated during a session with the foreign affairs select committee.
Lammy acknowledged the dedication of consular staff but pointed out that there are significant challenges in certain cases that necessitate a more structured approach from the Foreign Office. Regarding the Labour Party’s commitment to ensure UK citizens have a legal right to consular access while abroad, he mentioned that plans would be forthcoming.
“I have been examining the approximately 28,000 individuals that interact with our system at any given time. These cases vary widely, from minor infractions like public intoxication in holiday destinations to serious incidents where British citizens tragically lose their lives abroad,” Lammy elaborated to members of Parliament.
The Foreign Office reports that it assists roughly 20,000-25,000 British nationals and their families annually, with about 4,000-5,000 of those involving detentions. The proposed appointment of a special envoy aligns with promises made by Lammy during his time in opposition, aiming to help secure the freedom of Britons detained for extended periods without trial.
However, the Guardian has highlighted potential opposition to this plan among senior UK diplomats, who worry it might strain diplomatic relations and impact trade agreements with other nations.
Earlier on the same day, Lammy met with the family of Alaa Abd el-Fattah, a British-Egyptian software developer and prominent democracy advocate currently imprisoned in Egypt. Abd el-Fattah was expected to be released in September but remains incarcerated, prompting his mother, Laila Soueif, to initiate a hunger strike to protest his detention.
At a press conference following the meeting, Laila and her daughters Sanaa and Mona conveyed their feelings of being heard by Lammy, though they expressed disappointment over the lack of concrete commitments made during their discussion. “He listened to me, and I hope my message was conveyed. My primary message was that I am on hunger strike and will continue until Alaa is released,” Soueif stated, noting that she has lost significant weight since beginning her protest.
As of now, Abd el-Fattah has yet to receive a visit from the British consulate, an issue that Soueif highlighted as critical for her son’s morale. “Consular access can be advocated at the ministerial level, and I still seek progress on that front,” she remarked, emphasizing its potential positive impact on her son.
Sebastien Lai, the son of detained media tycoon and pro-democracy campaigner Jimmy Lai, attended Lammy’s inaugural committee meeting as Foreign Secretary. His father has faced nearly four years in solitary confinement in Hong Kong while awaiting trial, and is at risk of a life sentence if convicted.
When questioned about the successful repatriation of detained citizens by Canada, the US, and Australia from China in recent years, Lammy noted that the UK’s previous lack of engagement with Beijing under the Conservative government has hampered similar efforts for British citizens.
Supporters of Lai have criticized the UK government for its inadequate support compared to the robust lobbying efforts undertaken by allies such as the US, Canada, and Australia on his behalf. Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party, raised Lai’s situation during his recent meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the G20 summit in Brazil.
Source
www.theguardian.com