Liz Barratt, Elisabeth Attwood and Jenni Whitaker from our immigration team have shared their thoughts with Solicitors Journal on the government’s inaction in response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

In the article, they reflect on how there are almost no safe routes to the UK for Gazans seeking respite with their family in the UK.

For almost a year the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality team has been actively working on applications for individuals and families in Gaza who are seeking reunification with family members in the UK to make applications on an ‘outside the Immigration Rules’ basis, on compelling compassionate grounds and on the basis of their human right to a family life under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). The applicants include elderly and unwell parents, and very young children.

However, to date not one of our clients has been issued with a visa to come to the UK. The applications have been met with obfuscation, obstacle and opposition by the Home Office at every step of the way.

The government’s inaction and the Home Office’s approach to these very compelling cases is denying Gazan civilians a chance of reaching safety and being reunited with their families. The government have the power to change this…they choose not to do so.

The full article can be read in Solicitors Journal here.