This Petition contains 705 signatures, over 186 pages, representing, we believe, only a proportion of the thousands of British people who are affected by property abuses & scandals in the Kingdom of Spain.
Our Petition represents two distinct groups:
a). Depositors of properties which are now deemed illegal in Spain, who are forced to undertake expensive and lengthy litigation, but who have the legal right to refuse to complete on a property without a Habitation Licence. Their money is being held by developers and real estate agents, who have knowingly built illegally, promoted illegal dwellings, and broken Spanish Law. Petitioners' money is also being held by Banks in Spain who refuse to honour legally-binding Bank Guarantees. As detailed herein, individual petitioners and collective groups face losing hundreds of millions of Euros, while their legal costs continue to escalate with their fight.
b). Owners of properties in Spain who, after purchase, have been told their homes are illegal and now face possible demolition or hefty fines for 'regularisation'. The worry, stress and despair they shoulder everyday is deplorable.
1. Mr Brown, we ask that, as Our Prime Minister, you read this Petition and listen to the pleas from British people who have now provided you with the facts of their experiences, and that you please show disdain for these abuses.
2. We ask that, as Our Prime Minister, you voice your support for Our Petition to the European Parliament, and give the assistance they may ask from you in their moves to secure justice for those continuing 'victims' of the widespread property abuses in Spain, despite taking all the necessary legal steps in an effort to gain justice.
3. We ask that you motion an investigation of the British real estate agents and other real estate agents who have used British bases, who are clearly reprehensible in their roles in stated facts of property abuses in Spain, as contained in this Petition.
4. This Petition clearly shows the Anger, Despair and Anxiety Petitioners have endured for several years. We feel that, as well as receiving justice, we deserve and have the right to ask for an explanation. Mr Brown, we ask that you speak directly with the Spanish Prime Minister, José Luis RodrÃguez Zapatero,and request the following information on our behalf:
(i). Why have these scandalous property abuses been practiced in the Kingdom of Spain for so long?
(ii). What is the Kingdom of Spain doing to ensure justice is delivered to the British people who have unwittingly become victims in this complicated and widespread mess?
(iii) Why are developers winning court cases regarding illegal properties, which have no Habitation Licence; properties that, according to Spanish Law, are illegal to inhabit?
(iv). Why have the Courts in Spain been allowed to become overloaded with Appeal cases by developers who have criminal charges against them in said matter, many of whom have been charged nearly three years ago in the Malaya Case, causing further years of expensive and unneccessary litigation for the victims?
(v). Why have so many depositors of off-plan properties in Spain not been protected by Bank Guarantees, contrary to Spanish Law (Ley 57/68)
(vi) Why are valid, legally-binding Bank Guarantees not being honoured by Banks in Spain?
(vii) Why is the Colegio de Abogados (lawyers governing body in Spain) disinterested or unable to intervene in the clear role that many of their lawyers have practiced in stated property abuses, repeatedly dishonouring their own Professional Code and Ethics of Practice, particularly in failing to advise their clients of the Law in Spain regarding Bank Guarantees (Ley 57/68), as clearly detailed in Our Petition and supporting Lawyer Complaints Document.
(viii). What is being done for the many British people living in Spain who live in constant fear and dread that their houses may be demolished, many of whom are now struggling to live without mains electricity & water supply? These are serious safety and health issues which need to be addressed urgently.
(iv). Is the Kingdom of Spain interested in restoring the undoubted love & respect that the British have bestowed upon Spain & her people for many years?
We ask, in response, specific answers to each of our questions. These questions must surely be addressed by Mr Zapatero at the G-20 Summit Meeting in London on 2 April 2009, if not before, as the serious issues contained in our Petition are directly responsible for the dire economy of many thousands of people.
Petitioners are aware that for many years British Foreign Ministers have been discussing the issues now detailed in this Petition with their Spanish counterparts, but the problems have escalated instead of being tackled. The situation for many petitioners has now reached crisis point. To quote your own words Mr Brown; "We need the correct diagnosis to give the right prescription". This Petition clearly confirms an undeniable diagnosis of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse, and petitioners believe that the only effective prescription now is joint intervention from the British Government and the European Parliament.
Mr Brown, we trust that you will appreciate the time and energy that has gone into compiling this Petition and dossier of facts for your attention, and greatly value the support and action that we believe you will give on our behalf, as Citizens of Great Britain and the European Union.
THANK YOU 12 March 2009
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Our Petition was successfully handed in at Downing Street on Thursday, 12 March. On 31 March 2009 it will also be presented to the EU Petitions Committee in Brussels, so remains open for signatures and comments, and will do so during the EU processes. All comments by petitioners are included, in their own words, in this dossier of 186 pages, to date.
We already have signatures & supportive comments from; James Allister QC MEP (Northern Ireland), Roger Helmer MEP (East-Midlands, England), Peter Skinner MEP (South-East England), Steve Mama MP (Surrey, England). Edward McMillan-Scott, Vice-President of the European Parliament, has also signed his support to this petition. It is very encouraging to see such strong support from Parliamentarians. Also much appreciated is the signature from the AUN on behalf of its members: www.abusos-no.org together with their continuing and active support.
