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Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, UK)
July 9, 2011 Saturday
Family's Agonising Wait To Hear If They Will Be Torn Apart
by Katie Davies
A FAMILY who could be torn apart if their appeal for asylum is
rejected now face an agonising wait.
Kamo and Nonna Manukyan have lived in Wallsend, North Tyneside, for
four years with their children Lusi, 20, and Arsen, 21.
Now, Lusi and Arsen, who made an independent claim for asylum, may
have to wait up to six weeks before they are told the outcome
following a hearing a North Shields County Court.
The family were refused asylum and faced deportation to Armenia and Uzbekistan.
But following an appeal in the High Court parents Kamo and Nonna
obtained an injunction which will allow them to stay in the country
temporarily.
But because Lusi and Arsen were over 18, they made independent claims
for asylum, meaning the family could be split up at any time.
The family fled Uzbekistan in 2007 after persecution. But since
finding a home in the North East they have become pillars in the local
community and have done thousands of hours of volunteering between
them.
Lusi and Arsen, who have both won places to study at top universities,
are part of several youth drama and music groups and volunteer for a
number of projects in the region.
Lusi is a youth ambassador for the Sage and on the board at Sunderland
University for their new music degree, while Arsen is heavily involved
in a project with the Olympics.
Representing the Mankuyans at the hearing yesterday, barrister Claire
Sultani said: "Because they were minors when they arrived here we are
dealing with established individuals who have embedded themselves into
our community and our society from a minor age. They have developed a
sense of real belonging here and they haven't done that selfishly.
"It's the first real time they have belonged anywhere.
"The two appellants have spent four years of their lives being
involved in projects not that helped them but which helped other
people and the projects are of real worth and real value to this
community."
In a statement read out on behalf of General Director of the Sage,
Gateshead, Anthony Sargent, it said that the society was "actively
enriched" by their work.
During the hearing the Home Office said that the pair would not be at
risk if they moved back to Armenia or Uzbekistan.
But the family, of Helmsley Drive, claim that Arsen will be called up
for military service if he is sent back to Armenia.
The Home Office stated that Arsen's refusal to do military service was
not on the grounds of his strong religious or moral grounds.
They also claimed that Lusi wouldn't be at risk if she returned to Armenia.
They said: "There is no evidence that the appellant would be at risk
on her return and she could return with the protection of her brother.
"There has been no evidence put forward to say that she could not
reside with her grandmother in Armenia."
Since their campaign was launched the family has been backed by Labour
MP for North Tyneside Mary Glindon and by former Newcastle City
Council Leader John Shipley.
To support the family, visit their Facebook page, Manukyan Family Must Stay.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
July 9, 2011 Saturday
Family's Agonising Wait To Hear If They Will Be Torn Apart
by Katie Davies
A FAMILY who could be torn apart if their appeal for asylum is
rejected now face an agonising wait.
Kamo and Nonna Manukyan have lived in Wallsend, North Tyneside, for
four years with their children Lusi, 20, and Arsen, 21.
Now, Lusi and Arsen, who made an independent claim for asylum, may
have to wait up to six weeks before they are told the outcome
following a hearing a North Shields County Court.
The family were refused asylum and faced deportation to Armenia and Uzbekistan.
But following an appeal in the High Court parents Kamo and Nonna
obtained an injunction which will allow them to stay in the country
temporarily.
But because Lusi and Arsen were over 18, they made independent claims
for asylum, meaning the family could be split up at any time.
The family fled Uzbekistan in 2007 after persecution. But since
finding a home in the North East they have become pillars in the local
community and have done thousands of hours of volunteering between
them.
Lusi and Arsen, who have both won places to study at top universities,
are part of several youth drama and music groups and volunteer for a
number of projects in the region.
Lusi is a youth ambassador for the Sage and on the board at Sunderland
University for their new music degree, while Arsen is heavily involved
in a project with the Olympics.
Representing the Mankuyans at the hearing yesterday, barrister Claire
Sultani said: "Because they were minors when they arrived here we are
dealing with established individuals who have embedded themselves into
our community and our society from a minor age. They have developed a
sense of real belonging here and they haven't done that selfishly.
"It's the first real time they have belonged anywhere.
"The two appellants have spent four years of their lives being
involved in projects not that helped them but which helped other
people and the projects are of real worth and real value to this
community."
In a statement read out on behalf of General Director of the Sage,
Gateshead, Anthony Sargent, it said that the society was "actively
enriched" by their work.
During the hearing the Home Office said that the pair would not be at
risk if they moved back to Armenia or Uzbekistan.
But the family, of Helmsley Drive, claim that Arsen will be called up
for military service if he is sent back to Armenia.
The Home Office stated that Arsen's refusal to do military service was
not on the grounds of his strong religious or moral grounds.
They also claimed that Lusi wouldn't be at risk if she returned to Armenia.
They said: "There is no evidence that the appellant would be at risk
on her return and she could return with the protection of her brother.
"There has been no evidence put forward to say that she could not
reside with her grandmother in Armenia."
Since their campaign was launched the family has been backed by Labour
MP for North Tyneside Mary Glindon and by former Newcastle City
Council Leader John Shipley.
To support the family, visit their Facebook page, Manukyan Family Must Stay.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress