European Arrest Warrants and Violations of Basic Human Rights

Transcript:

Corfe Castle in Dorset, with its keep and dungeons where in the early 13th century king John kept his most important prisoners. Eight hundred years ago, pre-Magna Carta, if you crossed the king you could expect to be incarcerated in a dungeon like this, without trial or any legal protection.

If you wouldn't think that could happen today in a modern democratized 21st century Europe, but there are people. Thanks in part to the European Arrest Warrant, who find themselves locked up in appalling conditions, hundreds of miles from home, in an alien jurisdiction without access to the legal representation, and denied basic human rights.

It was here in Budapest that Michael Turner from Corfe Castle was accused of fraud after his marketing business failed in 2005. The Hungarian authorities used the European Arrest Warrant to extradite him and his business partner in 2008. And after surrendering themselves voluntarily, their nightmare began.

Michael Turner:

“I was handcuffed, and led through the airport on a lead. And they wouldn't let me phone home, they wouldn't let me contact the embassy, and spent the next four months in prison. I think there was about two and a half weeks before I was able to contact my father and contact home. It's quite harrowing experience really.”

His family mounted a campaign to free him, petitioning parliament and engaging the support of their local MP. Michael's case has been taken up by Fair Trials International, who say there are thousands of people languishing in foreign jails within the EU, without trial and little or no chance of bail as they would have in their country of origin.

Catherine Heard:

“Michael Turner's case raises a number of issues that we see more and more in Europe at the moment. The Hungarian officials only spoke to him once throughout four months in detention, and quite honestly they could have used different methods to question him and take evidence from him when he was at home in the UK, but they failed to do so. He wasn't given any chance to communicate with his family. He wasn't allowed even to open parcels that they sent him. He wasn't allowed to take regular showers and so on. Basic fundamental rights were breached and unfortunately I've seen many cases like Michael's.”

Michael Turner's MEP, who has followed this case closely, is leading the charge.

William Dartmouth:

“Under the British legal system they unquestionably would have been granted bail, and would not have gone to jail. But under the European Arrest Warrant, the ancient British liberties of Habeas Corpus – no prison without trial are completely out the window. But more important, that these safeguards in the favor of the individual just don't exist the way they do in Britain.”

After eighteen weeks in prison, Michael Turner was released without any explanation. He's back at home, yet to face trial, and six years on is still waiting for justice.