MEPs call for Britons鈥� rights in EU to be 鈥榬ing-fenced鈥�
Connexion gives views from French residents as campaigners meet in Brussels
Leading groups defending Britons鈥� rights in Europe have called for the 鈥渦rgent鈥� ring-fencing of those rights at a meeting of MEPs and others in Brussels.
Their rallying call for the protection of Britons established in the EU came at the meeting with campaigners from the British in Europe coalition, London-based pro-Europe group New Europeans and the 3 Million group, representing EU citizens in the UK.
The event was screened live to thousands of viewers on Facebook and about 100 people were in the audience for the talks, where speakers included Connexion, which gave views we had gathered from readers.
MEPs from the 鈥楨U citizens taskforce鈥�, Sophie in 鈥榯 Veld and Catherine Bearder, said 鈥渞ing-fencing鈥� rights of existing expats was urgent, so Britons abroad in the EU and other EU citizens in the UK no longer felt in 鈥渓imbo鈥�.
They said it was vital that the UK and EU understood real people's lives are at stake.
The event - Brexit & Brits in the EU: what does it mean for you? was organised by the MEP taskforce and BELD (Brussels and Europe Liberal Democrats). We will carry a full report in the June issue of The Connexion. You can subscribe here (deadline tomorrow May 12) to receive the paper at your home.
This afternoon the taskforce is also holding a hearing at the European Parliament, with evidence given to a joint hearing of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs, the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs and the Committee on Petitions on the rights of expats in the context of Brexit at 15.00.
You can watch last night鈥檚 event on a computer (with a special ) while this afternoon鈥檚 hearing in the Parliament will be screened .
