LA AMENAZA DE UN BREXIT DURO PARA LOS 314.000 RESIDENTES BRITÁNICOS EN ESPAÑA

El pasado 19 de diciembre, la Comisión Europea anunció sus planes para un Brexit duro, garantizando la continuación de los acuerdos actuales sobre aviación y servicios financieros. Sin embargo, la Comisión no prorrogará los derechos de los 1,2 millones de británicos en la UE-27 y, como resultado, se convertirán automáticamente en Nacionales de un Tercer País el 30 de marzo.

El Reino Unido pone en marcha los preparativos del Brexit
El Reino Unido ha definido la legislación para registrar a los más de tres millones de europeos residentes en el país, ha comenzado el proceso de registro y ha prometido garantizar la mayor parte de los derechos en el Acuerdo de Retirada. Sin embargo, el hecho de que el gobierno no haya garantizado todos los derechos de la ciudadanía en el Acuerdo de Retirada en un caso de un Brexit duro ha aumentado la desconfianza entre los países de la UE27.

Los británicos residentes en la UE27 tendrán el estatus de Nacionales de un Tercer País
En su comunicado la Comisión Europea se limita a instar a los Estados Miembros a permitir que los británicos sigan siendo residentes mientras se legisle el proceso de convertir a los británicos en Nacionales de un Tercer País. Recomienda un enfoque 'pragmático' con el uso de documentos provisionales. Aunque, según la Comisión, a los ciudadanos con más de cinco años de residencia se les debe otorgar una residencia a largo plazo de acuerdo con las normas de la UE, habrá condiciones y no se trata de una garantía de derechos. A pesar de que los asuntos de seguridad social estén bajo la competencia de la UE, la Comisión subraya que la coordinación entre el Reino Unido y la UE dejará de existir.

Los planes de contingencia para residentes británicos en España existen, pero no se conocen
La última etapa caótica de las negociaciones sobre el Brexit ha aumentado la probabilidad de un divorcio sin acuerdo, con la consiguiente incertidumbre para  británicos y europeos afectados por la salida. El 13 de diciembre el ministro Borrell destacó, en una comparecencia ante la Comisión Mixta para la UE, la voluntad benévola del Gobierno hacia los residentes británicos en España. Mencionó asimismo la existencia de unos planes de contingencia para 'garantizar el conjunto de los derechos que ejercen actualmente', siempre que haya reciprocidad.

Según Michael Harris, Presidente de EuroCitizens, una asociación que defiende los derechos de ciudadanos afectados por el Brexit, es urgente conocer estos planes “Durante los dos últimos años, nos hemos reunido periódicamente con distintos ministerios españoles donde hemos sido bien recibidos y escuchados. No obstante, para acabar con la incertidumbre actual, los británicos necesitamos saber lo antes posible cuáles son aquellos planes de contingencia. Lo más urgente es un periodo transitorio para evitar que nos convirtamos en indocumentados, con todo lo que eso conlleva.”

Los pensionistas menos adinerados, un colectivo en riesgo
Pocos de los 100.000 pensionistas británicos que viven en España cumplirán con el requisito de tener ingresos de 26.000 euros al año, al convertirse en 'residentes no-lucrativos' bajo el Regimen General de Extranjería.

Pérdida de derechos para todos
Si hay un acuerdo, los residentes británicos en la UE27 perderán derechos claves como la libertad de movimiento dentro de la Unión y derechos asociados. Si no hay acuerdo - y si el gobierno de España no legisla con rapidez - habrá vidas destrozadas y familias rotas, además de graves consecuencias económicas para muchas zonas costeras.

El pasado 10 de diciembre EuroCitizens y British in Europe presentaron un informe al gobierno español, detallando los posibles impactos del Brexit duro sobre los británicos en España. En palabras de Harris, “El Brexit está a la vuelta de la esquina y supone una amenaza inminente para 314.000 británicos en España. Rogamos al Gobierno español que tome en cuenta las preocupaciones de estos residentes, muchos de los que han hecho su vida en España. Estas personas no se merecen vivir con una angustia permanente provocada por la incertidumbre.”

EUROCITIZENS MEETING ON 22/11/18 WITH EMBASSY TEAM TO DISCUSS CITIZENS' RIGHTS

This meeting was held a couple of weeks ago in Madrid (22/11/18). John Carrivick, John Richards and Nigel Aston met Tim Hemmings (Deputy Head of Mission),  Lorna Geddie (Regional Consular Policy Advisor) and Sarah-Jane Morris (HMCG) at EuroCitizens request to receive an update on HMG´s perspective on specific Brexit arrangements.
 

1. Tim Hemming commented that the Political Declaration had been sent from the Council of Ministers to HMG in the hours preceding our meeting.  No analysis had been undertaken given the tight time frame and Lorna would revert once this could be done, focussing on Citizens´ Rights, but would wait until the 25 November Council meeting outcome. Tim stressed that the declaration covered the future, was non binding, that the drafting had been undertaken mainly by the "27". He thought that it contained mention of ongoing mutual recognition of qualifications and that seems to be borne out by the text

(https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainers/framework-uk-eu-future-relationship - see under Services),

2. There was some discussion of potential (albeit unlikely) vetos from Spain (Gibraltar) and France (fishing rights).  The meeting took place before the reported exchange between the UK and Spanish PMs.  Tim felt the issues were mostly between the respective Spanish and French Governments and Taskforce 50 and the other states within EU27

3. In discussion of the Withdrawal Agreement, the Embassy confirmed that on residence requirements everyone legally residing in the EU and, inter alia in the UK, by the end of the transition period were covered and asked EuroCitizens to continue to promote the need to register as a resident to their members.  Recent comments by the UK PM on immigration to the UK applied only to individuals seeking residence after that date (although the PM afterwards in fact regretted her use of certain language during Question Time).

On political rights, separate to both the Withdrawal Agreement and Future Political declaration, Tim confirmed there seemed to be a general willingness to extend current municipal voting rights under a bilateral agreement but less clarity about whether people would be able to stand as candidates.

4.  John R summarised at a high level and in general terms EuroCitizens´ recent meetings with Spanish ministries.

5. With respect to the possibility of a no deal it was clear that there is a general feeling this is unlikely. HM Embassy detect that Spain is planning for a deal.  The UK has made overtures to the effect that citizens´ rights should be protected in the case of a no deal. Recent pronouncements by Spanish Ministers was attributed to the fact that the Commission had requested EU27 to analyse their respective positions in the case of a no deal.  Lorna highlighted that the Commission had published the week before a report on preparedness in the event of a no deal scenario, which included some information relevant to citizens.

6. The Embassy said that HMG was looking at the issue of national competences to determine where subsequent bi-lateral agreements would operate rather than multi-lateral cross EU agreements.  The implementation would apply either on a negotiated agreement or no deal situation.

7. The Embassy invited EuroCitizens to continue highlighting the pressure points that citizens face.  The issue of building up residence periods to qualify for permanent residence was cited.

8.  The Embassy recognise the importance of rights of continuing Onward Movement.  They emphasised that the UK wanted this in the future arrangements agreement and advised EuroCitizens to continue lobbying the Spanish administration on its importance to secure their support in the drafting.

THE FORGOTTEN AND DISENFRANCHISED 1.2 MILLION: WE DON'T EVEN HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE HEARD BY MPs

Speaker John Bercow   Photo: The Guardian AP

EuroCitizens has participated in British in Europe campaigns involving the lobbying of Members of Parliament. Whilst some MPs have been very sympathetic to us, many people in our group have either received no reply or been directly told that the MP cannot deal with the query as the person writing is no longer resident in the constituency. EuroCitizens Secretary Nigel Aston thus wrote a very reasonable letter about this subject to House of Commmons Speaker John Bercow. Apparently, there is nothing he can do about the refusal of MPs to answer us as he 'has no responsibility for the way in which MPs choose to deal with constituency affairs' (see correspondence below).

We will follow Mr Bercow's suggestion to write to the Electoral Commission but our only hope seems to be the Overseas Electors' Bill, a private member's bill plodding very slowly through the House of Commons. It has the support of the government, but it appears that the Labour Party is against it so the initiative might well go the same way as other attempts to restore our vote.

  

Remember that, after March 29, we will lose all our political rights as EU citizens and thus be unable to vote anywhere. What makes this situation even worse is the fact that our concerns can be ignored by MPs. We are completely on our own now.

Help us to help you by donating to British in Europe:

http:// https://britishineurope.org/donate-today/

Correspondence:

14/11/18: THE OPINION OF EUROCITIZENS ON THE RECENT EU/UK DEAL

For British citizens in Spain a deal is much better than a no-deal scenario as it protects some of our key rights like residency in our host country, healthcare for UK pensioners and social security coordination — while losing other ones like freedom of movement and the ability to deliver cross-border services.

However, we cannot fully evaluate the agreement until we have seen the final text. And on many issues that affect us, and the UK as whole, this will be a blind Brexit with almost everything to be negotiated after the UK has left the EU and thus in an even weaker position than now. In addition, huge uncertainty still remains over whether the deal will actually go through a) the cabinet b) the UK parliament c) the European Parliament.

Because of all this, EuroCitizens will continue to fully support British in Europe in lobbying for the ring-fencing of Citizens' Rights, to work for any possible strengthening of the CRs section of the Withdrawal Agreement and to fight for a People's Vote for All with the option of Remain on the ballot paper. At the same time, we will continue to engage with the Spanish central government to find out what the Withdrawal Agreement will mean for us practically in terms of our lives as Third-Country Nationals and what contingency plans there are for a no-deal Brexit.

 

When we have seen and evaluated the final text, we will put out another more detailed statement.

CITIZENS' RIGHTS GROUPS MEET VINCE CABLE IN MADRID

Meeting in Madrid to discuss Citizens' Right   (Nigel Aston on the right)

Liberal Democratic Party leader Sir Vince Cable was in Madrid 8-10 November for the annual congress of European Liberal parties (ALDE).  EuroCitizens' secretary Nigel Aston was able to meet Sir Vince, who was accompanied by LibDem President Sal Brinton and MEP Catherine Bearder (South East England), and put across our concerns both with respect to the current draft Withdrawal Agreement (WA) and our position in the case of a No Deal Brexit.  Representatives of Remain in Spain also attended this informal meeting.

Nigel particularly highlighted the absence of Freedom of Movement and related themes from the WA, along with ongoing issues of treatment of spouses and partners post Brexit (a particular concern also of the Bremain in Spain representatives). Sir Vince and his colleagues appeared to understand our concerns in full and we were met with a completely sympathetic hearing.  Interestingly Sir Vince felt that the risk of a "No Deal" is relatively low, a view expressed also by Sir Keir Starmer, Labour spokesperson on Europe, in an interview with "The Sunday Times" on 11 November.

In the light of recent attacks on EU nationals (including Spaniards) in the UK, we were asked about victimisation of UK nationals in Spain.  We were glad to say that, at least for now, these are a rarity.

The Liberal Democrat party, of course, is a proponent of the Peoples´ Vote on the terms the UK Government achieves in the current negotiations with the EU.  It is vitally important that those of us eligible to vote in the UK (less than 15 years away from the UK) ensure NOW that we are on the relevant electoral roll and in a position to receive a postal vote. 

SPANISH GOVERNMENT MAKES CONTINGENCY PLANS FOR A NO-DEAL BREXIT

Schengen Visa

According to an article in Expansión, the Spanish government is planning to pass a law (by decree) to give them special powers in the event of no deal between the EU and the UK. This follows similar moves in both Germany and in France where legislation is currently going through the senate.

The Spanish law would appear to allow UK citizens to enter Spain without a visa after 29 March and to avoid the situation of Britons in Spain becoming illegal immigrants overnight. The government would also be able to put in place measures to enable Britons to continue using Spanish healthcare, presumably through both the EHIC card (UK tourists) or the S1 system.

In our recent meetings in Madrid with the Spanish administration, EuroCitizens has repeatedly brought up the issue of contingency plans, so we welcome this news. Over the coming weeks, we will press for more information about the measures that might affect Britons in Spain.

30/10/18: REUNIÓN DE EUROCITIZENS EN EL MINISTERIO DE INTERIOR

El martes 30 de octubre tres representantes de EuroCitizens, una asociación que pertenece a la coalición British in Europe, se reunieron con Manuel Alhama, Subdirector General de Relaciones Internacionales, Inmigración y Extranjería en el Ministerio de Interior y un equipo de funcionarios de otros departamentos del mismo ministerio. Recibimos algunas noticias tranquilizadoras para los 300.000 británicos en España. El señor Alhama comentó el principio de la reciprocidad en el trato de los españoles en el Reino Unido y los británicos en este país, pero subrayó la voluntad del gobierno español de respetar los derechos de las personas y evitar demoras y complicaciones.

El primer tema tratado fue el nuevo procedimiento de registro y documentación, al amparo del Acuerdo de Retirada, de los ciudadanos británicos ya residentes en España, a partir del 29 de marzo 2019, fecha fijada para la salida del Reino Unido de la Unión Europea. Los ministerios del Interior y Trabajo, Migraciones y Seguridad Social , están elaborando un plan de acción para llevar a cabo el cambio de estatus de los británicos de ciudadanos europeos a nacionales de un tercer país. En este sentido, entre otras medidas, se tienen previsto los recursos necesarios, especialmente en las zonas con mayor población británica como Levante y Andalucía oriental, a fin de concluir la actualización administrativa a la mayor brevedad posible. Los británicos residentes y que ya se encuentren registrados deberán solicitar la nueva tarjeta identificativa de extranjero (TIE), sin necesidad de aportar más documentación. Este documento incluirá la información sobre el estatus especial del titular como protegido por el Acuerdo de Retirada. El gobierno español anunciará todos los detalles de esta operación cuando esté firmado el Acuerdo de Retirada.

Por lo que respecta a los derechos políticos, las negociaciones entre el RU y España han avanzado en el plano político, quedando pendiente la redacción y firma de un tratado internacional que, en términos de reciprocidad, permita el sufragio activo (el derecho a votar en los procesos electorales municipales) tanto de los españoles residentes en Gran Bretaña, como de los brºitánicos en España. Por eso, se espera que, si hay suficiente voluntad política, el sufragio activo (el derecho a votar) podría ser confirmado antes de las próximas elecciones municipales de mayo de 2019. Por lo que respecta al sufragio pasivo, se ve bastante más complicado conseguir el derecho de presentarse como candidato tan rápidamente. No obstante, aclarar que la Junta Electoral ha informado que los británicos que son residentes legalmente seguirán en el censo hasta el 30 de marzo del próximo año.

Por último comentamos el escenario de una salida del Reino Unido sin acuerdo que abriría una segunda fase de preparativos. En este caso, algunas competencias, como la necesidad o no de un visado Schengen, atañerán a la Unión Europea mientras que otras, como la sanidad y las pensiones, serán competencias nacionales.

Agradecemos al señor Alhama y a los demás asistentes por su comprensión por la ansiedad e incertidumbre que sufren los ciudadanos afectados (tanto españoles como británicos) en este momento. Nuestro próximo paso como asociación será buscar una reunión con el Ministerio de Trabajo, Migraciones y Seguridad Social.

MEETING WITH INTERIOR MINISTRY: REGISTRATION AND POLITICAL RIGHTS FOR BRITONS IN SPAIN AFTER BREXIT

When the UK leaves the EU on 29 March, Britons living in Spain will cease to be European Citizens. If there is a deal, we will become Third Country Nationals with protection under the Withdrawal Agreement. This gives us the right to live and work only in our host country and covers areas like aggregated pensions and healthcare for UK pensioners. We will lose the right to free movement in the EU-27, to provide cross-border services and the right to vote in European elections. See below a report on our meeting with the Interior Ministry last week which deals in particular with the issues of registration and political rights.

30/10/18: Meeting of EuroCitizens at the Interior Ministry

On Tuesday 30 October three members of EuroCitizens, an association belonging to the coalition British in Europe, met Manuel Alhama, Subdirector General of International Relations, Immigration and Foreigners, plus a team of other civil servants at the Interior Ministry. We received news which will help to reassure the 300,000 Britons in Spain. Señor Alhama explained the principle of reciprocity in the treatment of Spaniards in the UK and Britons here, but stressed that the Spanish government will respect the rights of the people affected and avoid unnecessary delays and complications.

The first topic covered was the new process for registration and documentation, under the stipulations of the Withdrawal Treaty, of British Citizens in Spain after 29 March 2019, the date set for the UK to leave the EU. The ministries of the Interior and of Labour, Migration and Social Security are working on an action plan to carry out the change of status of Britons from European Citizens to third-country nationals. Along these lines, amonst other measures, the necessary resources have been calculated, especially in those areas with large British populations such as Levante and Eastern Andalusia, so that the administration can be prepared as soon as possible. Britons who are already resident will have to apply for an identity card for foreigners (TIE) without having to provide any more documentation. This ID card will include information about the special status of the holder as a protected person under the Withdrawal Agreement. The Spanish government will announce full details of these administrative changes after the Withdrawal Agreement has been signed.

Regarding political rights, negotiations between the UK and Spain have advanced at a political level, but the drafting and signing of an international treaty remain to be done. This reciprocal agreement would give the right to vote in local elections to both Spaniards in the UK and Britons in Spain. Given sufficient political will, this could be confirmed before the next local elections in Spain in May 2019. It seems unlikely for the right to stand as a candidate to be included by that date, but the Electoral Commission has announced that legally resident Britons will remain on electoral lists until 30 March next year.

Finally, a no-deal scenario was briefly discussed. This would open a new phase in preparations for the Spanish government and some powers, such as the issuing or not of Schengen visas, would belong to the EU whereas others like the coordination of healthcare and social security would be national competencies.

EuroCitizens would like to thank Señor Alhama and the other officials present for their awareness of the anxiety and uncertainty affecting citizens, both Spanish and British. Our next step as a group will be to request a meeting with the Ministry of Labour, Migration and Social Security.

E-LOBBY OF MPS TO DEMAND RING-FENCING OF CITIZENS' RIGHTS

EuroCitizens is encouraging members, together with their friends, family and sympathisers, to join in The Last Mile Westminster Lobby on November 5^th. This is being jointly organised by British in Europe, the 3million and other organisations. We are campaigning for the UK government and the EU to commit to ring-fencing and implementing the citizens’ rights part of the Withdrawal Agreement under Article 50 – no matter what the outcome on Brexit – as well as strengthening the accord to maintain our freedom of movement in the EU.

If you can attend the lobby with us in Westminster, you will need to register here  https://britishineurope.org/westminsterlobby/ Most of us will be taking part in the e-lobby of MPs – see the full details below.

Remember, we are only five months away from Brexit and nothing has been agreed. There is an increasing risk of a no-deal scenario - which means that we all may become illegal immigrants overnight and have to apply for third-country national status just to stay in Spain. The situation is getting very serious and we need your help to make this e-lobby HUGE. After the enormous success of the March for a People's Vote last Saturday we need to put all the pressure we can on MPs to support our demands.

Please join with us and stand up as one of the five million. 

See below instructions for the e-lobby and the template of a letter to send to your MP.

‘No more glib assurances’ says DExEU minister Robin Walker after meeting Citizens’ Rights campaigners in Madrid

Robin Walker in Madrid yesterday with Ambassador Manley

On Thursday 4 October, representatives from Spanish citizens’ rights groups (Bremain in Spain, Brexpats Spain, ECREU and EuroCitizens) met British embassy officials and DExEU minister Robin Walker. During the morning session we were given an update on healthcare, registration and consular back-up by different members of the FCO team. This was followed by an hour-long meeting with the minister. The exchange of views took place in a cordial atmosphere, with the minister giving a positive hearing to the points raised.

Mr Walker recognised that the current Withdrawal Agreement, whilst covering important areas such as healthcare and host country residence, did not include key rights such as the freedom of movement for Britons within the EU-27 and related issues like cross-border service provision. The minister said that this matter had been left for the negotiations about the future EU/UK relationship; we strongly criticised this position, stressing that the 1.2 million Britons in Europe are a finite group of people who have already exercised our freedom of movement rights within the EU-27. We drew Mr Walker’s attention to the European Parliament’s red lines and their suggestion that the EU might accept the keeping of our current freedom of movement in exchange for a lifetime right of return for EUinUK citizens. We also mooted that the UK should seek a standstill position to cover freedom of movement and associated economic rights throughout the negotiations, should this exceed the transition period.

Whilst the Withdrawal Agreement does not cover political rights, which are the competence of member states, Robin Walker gave some very positive news regarding Spain. He said that discussions between the two governments about future bilateral arrangements on political rights, enabling Spaniards in the UK and Britons in Spain to stand and vote in local elections, are at an advanced stage and should be concluded soon.

The minister remained confident that a deal was still possible at the October European Council summit, but citizens’ groups underlined the huge risks for British migrants in Spain of a no-deal scenario as it would entail massive future uncertainty and the immediate loss of many of our EU citizenship rights as we would immediately fall under Third Country National and national legislation. The minister gave an assurance that HMG had embarked on no-deal contingency planning and mentioned the UK’s unilateral assurances to EUinUK citizens. We pointed out that no technical note regarding UKinEU had been published and that any unilateral guarantees by the UK government were insufficient without reciprocal agreement. The representatives of all four groups were united in their demand for the urgent ring-fencing of Citizens’ Rights from other aspects of the Withdrawal Agreement.

We then brought up issues falling within the sole grant of the British government, such as automatic uprating of UK pensions for Britons in the EU, which we were told had already been agreed on. We pointed out that family reunification rights for UK returnees with EU spouses and family were vital and highlighted the issue of home university fees for UKinEU citizens, guaranteed until 2020 but no further. Mr Walker took note of both issues.

Representatives of the groups stressed that the current situation was one of negotiating degrees of loss, given that the EU status quo was far superior to anything that could be obtained in the context of Brexit, let alone in a no-deal scenario. When we raised the issue of votes for life for UKinEU, the minister was personally sympathetic but could give no specific guarantees.

Whilst thanking the minister for meeting us, we roundly criticised HMG’s failure to engage with us more fully at an earlier stage and for ignoring British in Europe's repeated requests for meetings with the DExEU Secretary of State and with Theresa May. We also commented on the PM’s failure to even mention us in recent key prime ministerial speeches. On the topic of UK government messaging, after hearing our criticisms of government spin, Mr Walker admitted that it was not enough to produce glib and general statements in an attempt to reassure Britons in the EU-27 and that citizens needed specific information about how changes might affect their lives.

REUNIÓN DE EUROCITIZENS EN EL MINISTERIO DE ASUNTOS EXTERIORES

El jueves 20 de septiembre tres integrantes de EuroCitizens /British in Europe se reunieron con varios altos cargos del Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores, Unión Europea y Cooperación, entre ellos los directores generales D. José Pascual Marco y D. Pascual Navarro y el Subdirector de Asuntos Institucionales, D. Raúl Fuentes. El encuentro, el quinto que hemos mantenido con Exteriores a lo largo de los últimos dieciocho meses, fue como siempre muy cordial e informativo.

 

Cuando preguntamos por la libertad de movimiento de los británicos en la UE (restringida a nuestro país de residencia según el actual Acuerdo de Retirada), nos informaron que, desde enero, no se ha hablado de este tema en las negociaciones, pero aún así, el gobierno español preguntaría por ello al Grupo de Trabajo del Artículo 50 de la Comisión Europea. Acto seguido comentamos los procedimientos para registrar a los británicos en España después del Brexit. Los ministerios de Trabajo, Migración y Servicios Sociales e Interior llevan varios meses trabajando en este asunto y se está estudiando la posibilidad de implantar una nueva tarjeta biométrica para los británicos cubiertos por el Acuerdo de Retirada (las personas que están registradas correctamente antes del fin del periodo de transición). En principio, se utilizará el registro existente, quizás con algunos datos complementarios pero no determinantes. 

Sobre nuestros derechos políticos, de poder votar y presentarnos como candidatos en las elecciones municipales, nos informaron que, conforme con la Constitución Española, existe la posibilidad de alcanzar acuerdos bilaterales y que el gobierno español ya ha mostrado su voluntad de negociar un convenio con el Reino Unido. Los altos cargos expresaron la intención de España de buscar una solución humanitaria para la ciudadanía afectada en el caso (improbable en su opinión) de una salida de Gran Bretaña sin acuerdo ninguno. 

Finalmente, comentamos de forma breve la posibilidad de la doble nacionalidad para los británicos en España y las demoras en la tramitación de la nacionalidad española. Según nuestros interlocutores, ambos asuntos tienen que ver con el Ministerio de Justicia y tienen un marcado carácter político.

Agradecemos al gobierno español su postura positiva y comprensiva hacia el colectivo de los británicos en España, cada vez más preocupados por el cariz que están tomando las negociaciones y por el poco tiempo que queda antes del Brexit.

WHERE DO BRITONS IN SPAIN STAND NOW? - MEETING OF EUROCITIZENS AT THE SPANISH FOREIGN MINISTRY

On Thursday 20 September three members of EuroCitizens /British in Europe met a team of senior civil servants at the Spanish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, including the director generals José Pascual Marco and Pascual Navarro and the Subdirector of Institutional Affairs, Raúl Fuentes. The meeting, the fifth that we have had over the last eighteen months, was as always extremely amicable and informative.
 

When we asked about the freedom of movement for Britons in the EU (restricted in the current Withdrawal Agreement to our host country), we were told that the subject had not been mentioned in negotiations since last January, but that the Spanish foreign ministry would bring it up again with the European Commission Article 50 Task Force. We went on to discuss the proceedures to be used to register the Britons in Spain after Brexit. The Interior and Labour ministries have been working on this issue for the last few months and the Spanish government is studying the possibility of putting into place a biometric identity card (with photo and fingerprints) for UK citizens covered by the Withdrawal Agreement - those correctly registered before the end of the transition period. The existing register would be used, but with some complementary data.

When we raised the issue of our political rights, to be candidates and to vote in municipal elections, we were informed that, according to the Spanish constitution, bilateral agreements can be reached in this matter and that the Spanish government has already shown its willingness to negotiate a treaty along these lines with the United Kingdom. The senior civil servants said that Spain would actively look for a humanitarian solution for citizens affected by a no-deal scenario, though they thought it highly unlikely. Finally, we dealt briefly with the possibility of dual nationality for Britons in Spain and the delays in processing citizenship applications. Both issues are covered by the Justice Ministry and are highly political.

We thank the Spanish government for its positive and supportive stance towards the Britons living in Spain, who are increasingly concerned by the way in which negotiations are going and the ever-dwindling time that remains before Brexit.

ARTÍCULO DE CAMILLA HILLIER-FRY: 'EL BREXIT Y SU IMPACTO EN EL CIUDADANO EUROPEO'

Durante el verano el Instituto Complutense de Estudios Internacionales publicó una colección de artículos bajo el título 'Retos contemporáneos a la seguridad de la Unión Europea'. Participó la vice-presidenta de EuroCitizens, Camilla Hillier-Fry con un artículo sobre el impacto del Brexit en el cuidadano europeo. Camilla concluye así: 'El proyecto europeo hizo que 4,5 millones de ciudadanos, hoy residentes en el Reino Unido y la UE-27, cambiaran de país con la legítima esperanza de hacerlo bajo el amparo de los derechos asociados a la ciudadanía y la libertad de movimiento. Ahora sufren una enorme incertidumbre ante la falta de concreción de acuerdos sobre aspectos fundamentales para sus vidas y se enfrentan a un futuro con la amenaza de discriminación jurídica, económica y política. Los ciudadanos de la Unión Europea no se merecen este trato.'

 El artículo:

EUROCITIZENS ORGANISE PROTEST ABOUT THE FAILURE OF THE UK GOVERNMENT TO PROTECT ITS OWN CITIZENS

One point of the long vigil  Photo: EuroCitizens

EuroCitizens held a 27 hour vigil to mark the second anniversary of the referendum on UK membership of the European Union. During the vigil, which lasted for 27 hours and coincided with the People’s Vote march in London, British citizens protested at the continued uncertainty for their livelihood, and at the fact that citizens’ rights are clearly not a priority for their government, following the agreement struck between the UK Government and the European Commission last March on the UK´s withdrawal from the European Union.
 
The vigil began with a speech by journalist and writer Giles Tremlett, who shared the despair that many British citizens feel: “Today we are gathered outside the British Embassy, but the sad truth is that many of us do not know whether it is practical for us to remain British citizens. If we apply for Spanish nationality, that means forcing people to renounce British nationality and if that happens, rather than allowing us to continue our lives as before, the UK government will have expelled us from our status as British citizens – and that would cast shame on them.”
 
Members of EuroCitizens delivered a letter for the British government to the Ambassador, which in his absence was received by Tim Hemmings, Deputy Head of Mission. Laura Clyde, a British freelance professional with two children, who handed the letter over, highlighted that “Two years after the referendum, many of our questions about our rights essential for our livelihood, are still unanswered. We are living in a state of anxious uncertainty about what will happen to us. Suddenly, the rights, freedoms, guarantees and privileges afforded to us by the UK’s membership of the EU, and upon which we have based our lives in another EU member state, are under threat: these rights may be taken away from us - without our consent - and with no clear picture of what they will be replaced with."
 
John Carrivick, VicePresident of EuroCitizens, concluded “Today is a sad day when we mourn not only the loss of rights and a way of life but also the inability of the British government to protect its own citizens and a European Union that could not keep faith with its own essence”. 

You can read John's speech in full here:

http://thediplomatinspain.com/en/brexit-crossroads-citizens-europe/ 

More photos:

LA VIGILIA DE EUROCITIZENS ANTE LA EMBAJADA BRITÁNICA

Un grupo de manifestantes ante la embajada  Foto: EuroCitizens

Ciudadanos británicos en España celebraron una vigilia en el segundo aniversario del referéndum sobre el Brexit. Durante la vigilia, que duró 27 horas y coincidió con la marcha “People’s Vote” en Londres, protestaron contra la incertidumbre que perjudica sus vidas y la probable pérdida de sus derechos en el borrador del Acuerdo de Salida entre el RU y la UE, publicado en marzo de 2018.
La vigilia empezó con un discurso del periodista y escritor Giles Tremlett, quien compartió la desesperación que sienten muchos británicos “Hoy nos hemos reunido delante de la Embajada Británica, pero la triste verdad es que muchos no sabemos si tiene sentido práctico seguir siendo ciudadanos británicos. Si solicitamos la nacionalidad española, nos obliga a renunciar la británica y en ese caso, en vez de poder mantener nuestras vidas como antes, el gobierno británico nos habrá “expulsado” como ciudadanos de su país, y eso es vergonzoso para un gobierno”.
Miembros de EuroCitizens, una asociación que defiende los derechos de británicos en España y de europeos en el Reino Unido, entregó una carta dirigida al gobierno británico a su embajador en España, representado por Tim Hemmings, Ministro Consejero de la Embajada. Laura Clyde, una profesional autónoma con dos hijos, señaló “Dos años después del referéndum, muchas de las preguntas sobre nuestros derechos siguen sin respuesta. Vivimos con gran incertidumbre y ansiedad respecto a qué será de nosotros. Los derechos, libertades, garantías y privilegios que supone la ciudadanía europea,  y bajo cuyo amparo hemos hecho nuestras vidas en otro Estado Miembro de la UE, se ven amenazados. Podemos perder estos derechos – sin haber podido participar en el referéndum – y no hay claridad respecto a nuestra situación futura.”
John Carrivick, VicePresidente de EuroCitizens, concluyó “Hoy es un día triste, cuando lamentamos no solo la pérdida de nuestros derechos y un modo de vivir, sino también la incapacidad, tanto del gobierno británico de proteger a sus propios ciudadanos, como la de la Unión Europea a mantenerse fiel a su propia esencia.”

http://thediplomatinspain.com/brexit-o-la-encrucijada-de-la-europa-de-los-ciudadanos/

ALL-NIGHT VIGIL FOR CITIZENS' RIGHTS IN MADRID

From 12 noon on Friday 22 June until 3pm on Saturday 23 June, EuroCitizens will be organising a vigil below the British Embassy in Madrid (near Torre Espacio, Castellana 259) to ask the UK government to defend our citizens' rights which are under threat in the draft Withdrawal Agreement between the EU and the UK (freedom of movement, professional qualifications, family reunification, economic rights, political rights). 

Permission for the vigil has been applied for and the protest will at all times be good-humoured and well-mannered. We know that we are not going to get huge crowds, but we would like to have as many people as possible throughout the 27 hours of the vigil to show the strength of feeling of UKinEU citizens who have already suffered nearly two years of uncertainty and face losing key rights.

You can sign up for shifts at the vigil here:

https://doodle.com/poll/6u5z6mdh2s5fi2yz#table

Here is a rough timetable of events:

Friday 22 June

12 noon - demo begins

13.30 - speech by journalist and writer Giles Tremlett

14:00 - letter/s of protest to be presented to the Ambassador 

14:00 - 20:00: demonstration continues with core presence

20:00 -  'Protest Picnic/Citizens' Rights supper' with speeches by (tbc) and music. People bring their own food.

12:00 - All-night vigil begins, continuing to start of events the next day.

Saturday 23 June

12 noon - full demo starts again with video connection with the rally in London / possible link-up with groups in other countries.

2pm - speech by (tbc)

3pm - End of vigil, possible laying of a wreath symbolising the death of UKinEU citizens' rights

We hope to get musicians to come along at the high points. If you know any (or are one yourself) or would like to volunteer to help the vigil team, get in touch with Laura Clyde at: citizensrightsvigilmadrid@gmail

William Clarke has organised a T-shirt for the vigil which you can order here:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfWIa6Nb8GhJ2jIkEjBGESBAAI3aP59MK5hdeSyQXSSce5koA/viewform?c=0&w=1

Some of us will be in London at the demonstration for a People's Vote on Saturday 23 when we will march with British in Europe for Citizens' Rights (this was organised a while back). Get in touch with me at eurocitizens2016@gmail.com if you can be there - and we will arrange to meet up.

Please sign up for the vigil and share with as many friends and colleagues as possible.

EUROCITIZENS ROUND TABLE: WE ARE TIRED OF BEING USED AS BARGAINING CHIPS IN THE BREXIT NEGOTIATIONS

Speakers: Alex Luzárraga (Amadeus), Michael Harris (EuroCitizens), Elena Conde (UCM), Jochen Müller (European Commission), José Domingo Roselló (UGT), Camilla Hillier-Fry (EuroCitizens), Andy Mackay (British Council) Silvia González (the3million), Mark Kitcatt (IMPALA), Tom Morgan (European Parliament).

On Wednesday, 23 May EuroCitizens organised a round table about the human cost of Brexit on UK and Spanish citizens living respectively in Spain and the UK, in the Madrid offices of the European parliament. 310,000 UK citizens in Spain and over 100,000 Spanish citizens in the UK are still being used as bargaining chips in the BREXIT negotiations. With less than a year to go, UK residents in Spain still have no confirmed rights of free movement within Europe, no rights to provide services across borders, and uncertain recognition of their professional and academic qualifications. For Spanish and UK citizens resident in each other's country, rights of family reunion, dependents and many other similar issues remain unresolved. There is very little time left and politicians on both sides seem blind to the suffering they are causing for over four million people who are living with enormous uncertainty and a bleak future with greatly diminished rights.

Photos of the event:  https://www.facebook.com/pg/EuroCitizensSpain/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1783399285069160








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