Ah the Geneva Convention... now here is how this consular visit shtick works

[nadinbrzezinski]

When we handled a US Citizen who we took to the hospital, or the cops arrested a US Citizen in Tijuana, well we had to inform the US Consulate within 24 hours.

We usually called, and then killed the tree (there is a form)

So this is how this works.

If you are ever detained abroad INSIST on this.

And yes that is also part of the pesky Geneva Convention... one that some folks round these parts don't understand, and how far it reaches into your and my life. Not just in a combat zone.

[ashling]

1. Actually, there are a series of consular treaties

Article 36 of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, 1963, is the particular one applicable.

This is the one that Goodhair Perry violated a few years back while, Bush was president, by executing a Mexican National in Texas despite the fact that he had not had access to the Mexican Consul in Texas.

Treaties ratified by the Senate become the law of the land by virtue of the U.S. Constitution and are self executing by virtue of Missouri v. Holland

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. Of course but I am talking abroad for you

:-)

I NEVER had an issue killing the tree by the way... now calling the US Consulate during the weekend could get tricky... mostly it was having the person on call answer the D^O)*(M phone!