Judges cannot reject EAWs because of a lack of evidence, leaving the system open to abuse and incompetence. This must change, with a prima facie case required to issue an EAW and to grant extradition.
The EAW system relies on the idea that judicial systems across the EU are equal. But many EU countries do not have the same quality legal system as the UK, which means some people do not get fair trials.
The EU assumes that all member states protect human rights, but we know this is not the case. The UK must stop extraditing to countries that abuse human rights with unfair trials and inhumane prison conditions.
Tim Evans is Professor of Business and Political Economy at Middlesex University London and is an independent policy, corporate and public affairs specialist.
David Clark was a special adviser at the Foreign Office from 1997 to 2001 and now works as a freelance foreign policy commentator and consultant.
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