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Newcastle Evening Chronicle, UK
March 11, 2011 Friday
I COULDN'T EVER IMAGINE GOING BACK WITH OUT MY PARENTS
A COUPLE and their children could be torn apart if their appeal for
asylum is rejected.
Kamo and Nonna Manukyan have lived in Wallsend, North Tyneside, for
nearly four years with their children Lusi, 20, and Arsen, 21.
The family were recently refused asylum and faced deportation to
Armenia and Uzbekistan.
Now, following an appeal in the High Court Kamo and Nonna have
obtained an injunction - which will allow them to stay in the country
temporarily. But because Lusi and Arsen have turned 18, they are
forced to make independent claims for asylum, meaning the family could
be split up at any time.
Lusi, who scored top grades at A level and won places to study
medicine at Newcastle and St Andrew's universities, said: "There is
every chance that we could be split up. I couldn't ever imagine going
back to that country without my parents. I don't think I would
survive.
"It's our culture to stay with our parents until we are married, and
no young person would be expected to leave the family home until
then."
This week the High Court in Leeds granted Kamo and Nonna the
injunction, which prevented them from being removed from the country.
But Lusi and Arsen were forced to travel to Croydon, Greater London,
to make fresh and independent claims for asylum as an immediate
deportation order hung over them.
Lusi said: "The court gave my mum and dad an injunction, which meant
that they were allowed to stay. But because my brother and I had no
right to be in the country, we had no choice but to make an
independent claim for asylum or we would have been forced to leave
there and then."
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 are part of several youth drama and music groups, and
parents Kamo and Nonna volunteer at the Age Concern cafe at Mea House,
Newcastle. This week Lusi will receive a national award at a ceremony
in Warwick for her volunteering work in Newcastle. And yesterday, as
the family faced an uncertain future, the local community showed their
support. Labour MP for North Tyneside Mary Glindon said: "Since being
here the family have built up strong friendships and made themselves
pillars in the community. They have proved not only they want to be
here but that they want to make a difference to the area."
Solicitor Mandy Wilson, who works for Brar and Company said she
couldn't believe the High Court decision.
She said: "I have never seen anything like this before. It seems
irresponsible that they would go to that length to split a family up.
For all Lusi and Arsen are over 18, they are still part of a family
unit."
Wallace Wilson, deputy director for the UK Border Agency in the North
East said: "Mr and Mrs Manukyan have lodged a judicial review into the
UK Border Agency decision to remove them from the UK. Lusine and Arsen
Manukyan have now submitted their own, separate, applications, which
we will consider fully." To support the Manukyan family, visit their
Facebook page - Manukyan family must stay.
From: A. Papazian
March 11, 2011 Friday
I COULDN'T EVER IMAGINE GOING BACK WITH OUT MY PARENTS
A COUPLE and their children could be torn apart if their appeal for
asylum is rejected.
Kamo and Nonna Manukyan have lived in Wallsend, North Tyneside, for
nearly four years with their children Lusi, 20, and Arsen, 21.
The family were recently refused asylum and faced deportation to
Armenia and Uzbekistan.
Now, following an appeal in the High Court Kamo and Nonna have
obtained an injunction - which will allow them to stay in the country
temporarily. But because Lusi and Arsen have turned 18, they are
forced to make independent claims for asylum, meaning the family could
be split up at any time.
Lusi, who scored top grades at A level and won places to study
medicine at Newcastle and St Andrew's universities, said: "There is
every chance that we could be split up. I couldn't ever imagine going
back to that country without my parents. I don't think I would
survive.
"It's our culture to stay with our parents until we are married, and
no young person would be expected to leave the family home until
then."
This week the High Court in Leeds granted Kamo and Nonna the
injunction, which prevented them from being removed from the country.
But Lusi and Arsen were forced to travel to Croydon, Greater London,
to make fresh and independent claims for asylum as an immediate
deportation order hung over them.
Lusi said: "The court gave my mum and dad an injunction, which meant
that they were allowed to stay. But because my brother and I had no
right to be in the country, we had no choice but to make an
independent claim for asylum or we would have been forced to leave
there and then."
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 are part of several youth drama and music groups, and
parents Kamo and Nonna volunteer at the Age Concern cafe at Mea House,
Newcastle. This week Lusi will receive a national award at a ceremony
in Warwick for her volunteering work in Newcastle. And yesterday, as
the family faced an uncertain future, the local community showed their
support. Labour MP for North Tyneside Mary Glindon said: "Since being
here the family have built up strong friendships and made themselves
pillars in the community. They have proved not only they want to be
here but that they want to make a difference to the area."
Solicitor Mandy Wilson, who works for Brar and Company said she
couldn't believe the High Court decision.
She said: "I have never seen anything like this before. It seems
irresponsible that they would go to that length to split a family up.
For all Lusi and Arsen are over 18, they are still part of a family
unit."
Wallace Wilson, deputy director for the UK Border Agency in the North
East said: "Mr and Mrs Manukyan have lodged a judicial review into the
UK Border Agency decision to remove them from the UK. Lusine and Arsen
Manukyan have now submitted their own, separate, applications, which
we will consider fully." To support the Manukyan family, visit their
Facebook page - Manukyan family must stay.
From: A. Papazian