BritCits

UK Government save the family members of British citizens trapped in Syria! 

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/petition/UK_Government_Save_the_Family_Members_of_British_Citizens_Trapped_in_Syria/

Why this is important

Syria has been described as the most dangerous country in the world. Yet the UK Border Agency and Home Office continue to deny visas to the Syrian family members of British citizens trapped inside a war-zone where they are in constant danger of death.

At the G20 meeting this year David Cameron spoke of the 'moral imperative' to tackle the humanitarian crisis in Syria. But due to recent changes to the UK's Family Migration Rules, many British citizens are no longer able to sponsor close family members in Syria to come to the UK to escape the violence, separating babies from parents, wives from husbands, and elderly people from family members in the UK who could support them.

The family members of British citizens trapped in Syria are in imminent danger of death! Yet something can be done: the new visa rules that came into force in July 2012 allow for "exceptional and compassionate circumstances" to be taken into account in cases where it would be impossible for family life to continue in the partner's home country.

We call on the UK government to grant visas to all close family members of UK citizens fleeing the violence in Syria. Please sign today to show your support.

*The new Family Migration Rules that came into force in July 2012 state that couples fleeing the war zone in Syria must earn £18600 per year or have £62500 in the bank, as well as passing an English Language Test and presenting documents almost impossible to obtain in a war zone. Such high financial requirements have been described by a High Court Judge as "disproportionate" since they prevent 47% of the working population of Britain from sponsoring a non-EU family member. The Home Office is currently appealing this decision.

For more information please see:

http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/syria

http://www.freemovement.org.uk/2013/07/05/high-court-finds-minimum-income-rules-disproportionate-and-unjustified/

https://twitter.com/chris8tine