The Russian human rights activist threatened with extradition from Italy was told the British embassy could not assist UK residents with refugee status (Refugee wins last-minute extradition reprieve after trying to return from holiday, 29 August). This is a violation of the UK’s obligations under one of the Geneva conventions, the 1951 refugee convention.
Article 25 of that convention states that, when a refugee cannot access a right from his home government – for example, consular assistance – then his state of residence “shall arrange such assistance be afforded to him” by its own authorities – such as its ambassador.
