Without Let or Hindrance

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Just a quick reflection on our status as citizens of the country in which we live and work. The first BBC Radio Four Womans' Hour of the year has rightly highlighted the case of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, whose unwarranted sentence and detention in Iran is shortly to expire, leaving her facing more spurious charges and further detention by the Iranian authorities. 

Our Government's official response in a recent letter regarding its obligations to British nationals abroad, is largely one of wiping its hands of any legal involvement. A quick look at my passport reminded me of the protections we all assume to be afforded us as carriers of that document when travelling abroad:

'Her Britannic Majesty's
Secretary of State
Requests and requires in the
Name of Her Majesty
all those whom it may concern
to allow the bearer to pass freely
without let or hindrance,
and to afford the bearer
such assistance and protection as is necessary.'

A reasonable assumption on the part of the traveller that the country has our backs, don't you think? Surely the moral imperative implied should be backed up more urgently by diplomatic action?

Comments

  1. Joe Stoner4 January 2021 at 14:46

    As the Foriegn Secretary, whose ONLY action was to exacerbate her precarious situation, is now our Prime Minister, the LESS this bunch of crap-heads does "for" her the better, in my opinion!

    ReplyDelete

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