Democrats, Joe Biden adviser urge UK to preserve international law

 

Democrats, Joe Biden adviser urge UK to preserve international law

 

Democrat Richard Neal said he hopes the ‘British government upholds the rule of law and delivers on the commitments it made during Brexit negotiations.’

 

By GRAHAM LANKTREE 9/9/20, 11:08 AM CET Updated 9/9/20, 11:10 AM CET

https://www.politico.eu/article/democrats-joe-biden-adviser-urge-uk-to-preserve-international-law/

 

An adviser to presidential candidate Joe Biden and senior Democrats warned late Tuesday that Britain must preserve international law around the border of Northern Ireland to protect the Good Friday Agreement.

 

Their statements followed the U.K.’s announcement that it would break international law and alter parts of its Withdrawal Agreement with the EU concerning Northern Ireland. The treaty sets out the terms of Britain’s exit from the EU and was agreed by Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the EU last year. The British government will propose changes via domestic legislation, via its Internal Market Bill set to be published later today.

 

“I urge both sides to uphold the terms of this joint agreement, particularly with respect to the treatment of Northern Ireland, in accordance with international law,” said Democrat Richard Neal, chairman of the House of Representatives ways and means committee in a statement.

 

Neal said he hopes the “British government upholds the rule of law and delivers on the commitments it made during Brexit negotiations, particularly in regard to the Irish border protocols.” A protocol in the treaty prevents a hard border between the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland in line with the Good Friday accord that ended decades of political violence.

 

“As the U.K. and EU work out their relationship, any arrangements must protect the Good Friday Agreement and prevent the return of a hard border,” tweeted Antony Blinken, a senior foreign policy adviser for the Biden campaign, noting “Joe Biden is committed to preserving the hard-earned peace & stability in Northern Ireland.”