The UK's Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn has thrown his weight behind demands for the return to Britain of the Sikh, Paramjeet Singh.
Singh has been held in a Portuguese prison for over a month after he was arrested while on holiday. The Indian authorities are preparing a case for his extradition but seem to be in no great hurry.
Bhai Amrik Singh, the Chair of the Sikh Federation (UK) aid: “Following the exception lobby many are now of the strong view that the Indian authorities stand virtually no chance of securing the extradition of Paramjeet Singh irrespective of the lies India present to the Portuguese courts on 26 January.
“Not only is the Labour Leader backing his safe return to the UK, but we have it on good sources the UK and Portuguese governments have already discussed the situation and will block his extraditionas the Indian judicial system can not be trusted.
“The Indian authorities have gone to a lot of trouble to try and get Paramjeet Singh through the back door, but politicians in Britain and Portugal have in effect confirmed they will not let this happen.
“India should cut its losses and drop extradition proceedings and let Paramjeet Singh return to the UK and be united with his wife and children.”
Corbyn's letter to the Portuguese Prime Minister asks for Singh's return and suggest the two Socialsists 'have a chat,' if this would help things along.
CLICK HERE to read the letter sent by Jeremy Corbyn to the Portuguese Prime Minister.
Comments
The Schengen area is not the area of the european comunity as you can see in the following link.
http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/coming-to-france/getting-a-visa/article/list-of-schengen-area-member
Believe me, I know this.
As I have said, the subject is a little more complex than just Schengen/non-Schengen area within the European Community.
It is to do with the detail of the European asylum laws, specifically any section dealing with later travel within the European Community not just the Schengen area. The overriding laws should cover asylum status residents and their travel rights.
These should not prohibit travel between Schengern and non-Schengen countries, hence either Portugal is wrong to be holding Singh and Interpol has acted outside the law, OR asylum seekers need to be informed that they may not travel without fear of arrest between Schengen and non-Schengen countries within the European Community.
So you have not understood the Schengen treaty.
The Schengen area is not the area of the european comunity as you can see in the following link.
http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/coming-to-france/getting-a-visa/article/list-of-schengen-area-member
What has yet to be explained are any laws covering those accepted asylum seekers living in a European Community country - specifically their right to travel.
I of course am aware the the UK is not in the Schengen area.
What about Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican City with no border controls with the Schengen countries that surround them but without officially signed documents that make them part of the Schengen area?
What about the 4 Schengen states that are not members of the European Union?
What about he Nordic Passport Union, non-EU signatories?
The subject is a little more complex than just Schengen/non-Schengen.
Ed
But primarily it seems odd that Interpol can issue a code red on a UK resident and the British authorities let this chap leave the UK without it showing up on the airline bookings. What is the point of airline's checking of passengers ?