Target: James Cleverly, UK Home Secretary
Goal: Reunite families from conflict-torn war zones.
A United Kingdom (UK) court recently ruled in favor of refugees from the Gaza Strip who had requested to be reunited with family living in the UK. The refugees bringing the lawsuit claimed their family reunion applications were delayed and denied because of unfair and non-legally binding rules. The ruling highlights larger problems with policies critics contend are putting human beings at risk.
Advocacy groups Safe Passage International and the Refugee Council have pointed to dangerous failures with the UK family reunion system that leave desperate refugees vulnerable to death or exploitation. They have proposed reforms they claim can help an additional 1,000 refugees from conflict-prone areas around the world, including many children, reunite with family members residing in the UK. These changes include key amendments to immigration rules and expedited timelines for approving applications.
Sign the petition below to support efforts to keep families together.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Secretary Cleverly,
A recent ruling accused the Home Office of “disproportionate interference” in the rights of refugees to a family life. The specific cases may have involved Gaza, but concerns about the family reunion policy have long extended to refugees of nations ranging from Afghanistan to Ukraine. The Refugee Council and Safe Passage International, two organizations with expertise in refugee issues, have recommended changes to current policies.
Please take the recent court decision as motivation to embrace reforms that could help up to 1,000 men, women, and children reunite with family.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Min An
I expect more from the UK! This is not responsible action from civilized people. Fix this!