The British Government, as an introduction to a reappraisal of its relationship with the EU, has begun a review of all aspects of that relationship. They call these a 'review of competences'. CLICK HERE to see a discussion relating to Fundamental Human Rights.
HUMAN RIGHTS - a wider view
The United Nations Declaration of Human Rights states as follows...
Article 21
1. Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.
2. Everyone has the right of equal access to public service in his country.
3. The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures
What is your country? Britain? or where you are Resident?
Surely your National State association is that of which you are a citizen; where your family and cultural links exist and possibly also (especially so with pensioners) your economic links.
CLICK HERE to see the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The EU and human rights. See link http://www.europarl.europa.eu/charter/pdf/text_en.pdf
The EU Charter of Human Rights interprets the UN Declaration from the viewpoint of European Citizenship. The above Article 21 of the UN declaration in that Charter is interpreted as referring to voting rights of European citizens to the European Parliament and to local municipal elections. It omits to observe that Nationals in the EU should be represented in their national parliament.
Nevertheless, the UN Charter says that one has a right to be represented in the Government of one’s country!
Added to this - The EU Citizenship Report 2013 notes in KEY ACTION 12 “Propose constructive ways to enable EU citizens living in another EU country to fully participate in the democratic life of the EU by maintaining their right to vote in national elections in their country of origin.”
Link: http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/reding/factsheets/citizenship-report/
The Survey form which the Government has proposed on the ‘Balance of Competences’ is difficult to follow and difficult to answer.
But one can also reply to the Government at fundamentalrightsBOC@justice.gsi.gov.uk.uk.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Write to the above link saying...
“Concerning the Balance of ‘competences’ within the EU for British Citizens. I believe that all British Citizens should have the right to representation in the Government of their Nation. This in accord with the UN Charter of Human Rights and the proposal of the EU Citizenship Report 2013.”
You can, of course expand on this.
You should also ensure that as many compatriots as possible sign the following petition. Once again it is necessary to observe that if Britain, as a result of a Referendum based solely on the resident population of the UK were to pull out of the Union, a large number of British Citizens in the EU would face a difficult situation!
Sign the petition : http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/55085
Brian Cave
E: lefourquet@orange.fr
W: www.votes-for-expat-brits.com
