When British nationals are unfairly detained or facing human rights abuses abroad they – and their constituency MPs – expect the Government to act. Yet, in the UK, consular assistance is discretionary, not a legal right. In its manifesto, Labour promised to introduce a right to consular assistance. But two years on, the Government has done nothing to deliver on that commitment. This briefing lays out why the UK Government should introduce a legal right to consular assistance for British nationals who are arbitrarily detained or facing serious human rights abuses abroad.
