Government plans end of family reunion from Europe as we know it.

On Tuesday 19 May, the Government published their draft plan for refugee family reunion after the transition period ends in December 2020. We have serious concerns for what it would mean for people seeking refuge, including unaccompanied children.

Beth Gardiner-Smith, CEO of Safe Passage International, said in response:

“The UK government’s planned Brexit agreement would be the end to family reunion from Europe as we know it. Unlike Dublin III it would not be mandatory and would take us back to the days when child refugees were only reunited with family at the discretion of national governments.

By diminishing children’s chances of reaching their relatives legally, this plan would be a blank cheque for people smugglers. This is not what the Prime Minister promised vulnerable refugees when he removed protections for them from the EU bill in January. We urge the Government to think again with its proposal to the EU and deliver an agreement that doesn't risk hundreds of children being denied the ability to reunite with family and left alone in camps.

Polling shows the public supports family reunion for refugees and at a time when many of us are feeling the separation from our families due to Covid-19, it’s beggars belief the Government is proposing something that would make it so difficult for refugee families to reunite.”