Divided families - international roundup (Sunday night reading)

Sources :Vox, Guardian, NPR, CBS, BBC, Sydney Morning Herald, Jerusalem Post, UNHCR

Vox : 'Meet the attorney who got Uganda’s anti-gay law overturned'

http://www.vox.com/2014/8/21/6005841/meet-the-attorney-who-got-ugandas-antigay-law-overturned

'Nicholas Opiyo is a 34 year-old attorney who lives and practices law in Kampala, Uganda. He was appointed to a team of lawyers that was tasked with challenging and ultimately prosecuting Uganda's infamous Anti-Homosexuality Act (AHA). In fact, Opiyo was the lead counsel for the issue on which the case was decided. After a four-day trial, the law was officially declared "null and void" by a constitutional court in Uganda on August 1.'

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/01/uganda-anti-gay-law-null-and-void

************

Guardian : Florida same-sex marriage ban ruled unconstitutional in federal court

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/21/florida-same-sex-marriage-ban-ruled-unconstitutional

'A federal judge on Thursday declared Florida’s ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional, joining state judges in four counties who have sided with gay couples.'

NPR : Same-sex marriages on hold in Virginia after Supreme Court weighs in

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2014/08/20/341944611/same-sex-marriages-on-hold-in-virginia-after-supreme-court-weighs-in

'The decision was widely expected and tells little about how the high court will ultimately rule on the issue. It merely preserves the status quo.'

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/with-virginia-on-hold-same-sex-marriage-cases-await-supreme-court/

************

BBC : Arrests at protests against Israeli interfaith wedding

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-28831114

'Four far-right Jewish protesters have been arrested at the wedding of a Jewish-born woman who converted to Islam and an Arab Muslim man in Israel.

'Several hundred demonstrators rallied outside the reception hall in Rishon LeZion on Sunday, amid high security. The groom, Mahmoud Mansour, had sought a court order to try to stop the protest from taking place but failed. '

'Right-wing extremists can't break the love of a Muslim man and Jewish woman in Israel' :
http://www.smh.com.au/world/rightwing-extremists-cant-break-the-love-of-a-muslim-man-and-jewish-woman-in-israel-20140818-1058hp.html

http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Police-to-be-out-in-force-as-extremists-plan-to-protest-Arab-Jewish-wedding-371338

************

UNHCR : Escape to Samos

http://tracks.unhcr.org/2014/07/escape-to-samos/

'Hundreds of Syrian refugees make the treacherous journey to Samos Island in Greece. Only some of them find sanctuary.'

Immigration laws separate dad from wife and baby.

http://www.keighleynews.co.uk/news/news_keighley/10823012.Keighley_man_claims_family_forced_to_live_apart/

 'Keighley man claims harsh immigration laws are denying his daughter and son-in-law the right to a family life.

'Neil Ashford, of Greenhead Road in Utley, says the couple – who have a five-month-old son – can only live together for three-month spells.

'And he added his 27-year-old daughter Jessie’s prospects for living permanently with her husband are bleak unless the problem can be resolved.'
---

Politics.co.uk | As I write this, Isa Muazu fades away.

http://www.politics.co.uk/comment-analysis/2013/11/21/comment-as-i-write-this-isa-muazu-fades-away

'While writing this article I've just read that Isa has lost his vision. He is suffering from severe chest pains and cannot breathe properly. He has never complained once to me about any of these problems. He is always thankful, grateful and concerned about my well-being.

'I can't help but feel that because he has been so uncomplaining that I myself have not even understood the severity of his health deterioration until it is almost too late. It is clear Isa is strong and determined - but not in an aggressive way. He has never raised his voice in anger. He speaks in disbelieved tones. And now he can barely whisper. '

Out of sight, out of mind - the heartlessness of the Home Secretary :
http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/syria
---

Freemovement | Bali (Family member: 3 month visit) [2013] UKUT 570 (IAC).

http://www.freemovement.org.uk/2013/11/22/bali-case-eu-family-member-visit-3-months/

 ;I can’t help but note that the Syrian family member was left sitting in Syria for over a year as a result of the ECO’s unlawful refusal and the Home Office’s failed attempt to appeal the case.'

BritCits with Syrian spouses :
http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/syria