Refugees must be given consular assistance | Letters

Emily E Arnold-Fernández on the case of a UK resident who was almost sent back to Russia after being arrested in Italy

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.