Committee hears evidence on the Baker Review
8 July 2014
In their first public evidence session, on the 8 July, the Lords Committee on Extradition Law took evidence on the “Review of the United Kingdom’s Extradition Arrangements”.
The Committee is to consider and report on the law and practice relating to extradition, in particular the Extradition Act 2003.
Witnesses
Tuesday 8 July 2014; Committee Room 2, Palace of Westminster
At 10.40am
- Rt Hon Sir Scott Baker
- Anand Doobay
Purpose
The Committee explored the findings of the Baker Review. Members heard witnesses’ views on how far the Government has followed the review’s recommendations, and – following a number of high-profile cases – how the extradition process has developed since the publication of the review in September 2011.
Issues
Issues that the Committee discussed included:
- the effectiveness of the extradition system and whether the Government should take forward the review’s recommendations
- the European Arrest Warrant and new legal measures to prevent other EU countries making extradition requests for trivial crimes
- the extradition arrangements between the UK and US
- whether all requesting governments should have to make a prima facie case which provides sufficient evidence to demonstrate that a trial could go ahead once extradition is approved
- whether assurances offered by requesting governments adequately safeguard requested people’s human rights
- the long-term consequences of removing the Home Secretary’s role in preventing extradition on human rights grounds