GMB ask for meeting with Ken Clarke over fears government is working to weaken the proposed EU victims rights package

16 November 2011

GMB is seeking a meeting with Kenneth Clarke, Secretary of State for Justice on behalf of GMB member Maggie Hughes, after reports that that the UK Government is working to weaken the proposals of an EU Victims of Crime rights package. Negotiations are underway in the EU Council on the proposals.

Kenneth Clarke, Secretary of State for Justice promised support for British victims and their families when the Government received the Casey report (July 2011 as part of the review of the needs of families bereaved by homicide) and again when he agreed to opt in to the EU Victims' rights proposals. GMB now fears that the government is removing its support for victims of crime at EU and UK level.

GMB has been working with Maggie Hughes, GMB member and campaigning mother of Robbie Hughes who suffered life changing brain damage in an attack while on holiday in, Malia in Crete to get the EU to put in place long overdue rights and protections for the victims and their families across the EU, wherever they fall victim.

Maggie Hughes, GMB member and campaigner said, “If the report that the government is backing away from proposals to look after victims of crime abroad then it should hang its head in shame. Inside my British passport it says 'Her Britannic Majesty's Secretary of State requests and requires in the name of her Majesty all these 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 may be necessary'. But the reverse seems to be the case. At present as soon as you leave the country you seem to become less British and you are told you cannot tap in to the mechanisms in Britain.

You have to pay the government for your passport, and have it with you to come and go but it only safeguards criminals not victims. If you are out of Britain and become a victim you are on your own. If on the other hand you commit a crime abroad, you can assess all the mechanisms and services to help you out.

I hope that the EU Commissioners who have been so generous with their support will remember how they felt when they first heard about Robbie and the compassion their felt for victim's and their families.”

Kathleen Walker Shaw, GMB European Officer said, “It is a cruel Government that makes and then breaks promises to providebasic help to people hurt abroad and whose families are suffering the most difficult times many of them will ever face.

Victims of crime, their families and friends have waited a long time for the rights, protections and recognition that they so badly need.

The EU proposals address the need for vital support and rights to victims of crime abroad. Too many British families know only too well the nightmare of a family members falling victim to crime in another country. The lack of support, the almost insurmountable communication, administrative and financial problems they face on top of the grief and tragedy of their situation. We want to ask the Secretary of State why the Government cannot even agree to what are, after all, minimum rights and protections for victims – is that too much to ask?”

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