Responding to refugee family reunion suspension

In a statement in the House of Commons today, the Home Secretary announced reforms to family reunion that will be coming in the next few months, and a suspension to start this week on refugee family reunion.

OUR RESPONSE:

Gunes Kalkan, Head of Campaigns at Safe Passage: “This blanket suspension on refugee family reunion is simply wrong. This will have disastrous consequences for the unaccompanied children and refugee families we support.

 “Children, having already survived the horrors of war and persecution, belong with their parents. But this decision will leave them stuck alone and in camps, with no way to reach family or safety. We’re talking about children from conflict and high human rights abuse areas, such as Afghanistan, Sudan and Iran, who have been torn apart from family in the chaos.

 “Without safe options, like family reunion, more people will be pushed into taking dangerous journeys to reach safety and loved ones. Instead of closing down what few safe routes exist, this Government should be opening new safe pathways and expanding family reunion for refugees.”

For more information or to arrange a media interview, please contact our Press Manager at claudine@safepassage.org.uk