The petition of residents of Glasgow South West
Declares that Mary Nnamani and her family who fled from Nigeria in danger of their lives have become a full and valued part of our community in Glasgow through our schools and Church Community; further that the Nnamani family have claimed asylum here and we would dearly love them to say.
The petitions, therefore, request that the House of Commons urges the Home Office to grant Mary Nnamani and her family the right to remain in this country, where they have claimed asylum.
And the petitioners remain, etc. —[Presented by Chris Stephens , Official Report, 5 June 2019; Vol. 661, c. 235 .]
[P002459]
Petitions in the same terms were presented by the hon. Member for Glasgow Central (Alison Thewliss) [P002460]; the hon. Member for Glasgow North (Patrick Grady) [P002461]; the hon. Member for Glasgow North East Paul Sweeney) [P002462]; the hon. Member for Glasgow East (David Linden) [P002474].
Observations from The Minister for Immigration (Caroline Nokes):
The Government have noted the concerns raised by the residents of Glasgow South West, Glasgow Central, Glasgow North, Glasgow North East and Glasgow East and their request that Mary Nnamani and her family are allowed to continue to live in the UK where she has claimed asylum.
The Government cannot comment on individual cases, because doing so would breach their obligations to treat such personal matters in confidence.
The Government have a proud record of providing protection for those who genuinely need it, in accordance with our international obligations under the Refugee Convention and the European Convention on Human Rights. Every asylum claim is carefully considered on its individual merits, by assessing all the evidence provided by the claimant against policy, relevant caselaw and available country information from a wide range of recognised and publicly disclosable sources. These include the UN and its agencies, governments, the media and human rights organisations, such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
The Government will grant protection where someone demonstrates that they face persecution or serious harm in their country and they are unable to seek protection from the national authorities or move to another part of their country to live safely. The Government are very clear that we do not return anyone who faces persecution or serious harm to their country or where there will be a breach of its obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights.
There is also provision in the Home Office policy on Discretionary Leave to allow people to stay in the UK on a discretionary basis, where they do not qualify for protection, but where there are other exceptional circumstances such that expecting them to return to their country would not be appropriate.
Where a decision has been made that a person does not require international protection, and there are no remaining rights of appeal or obstacles to their return, the Home Office expects failed asylum seekers to return voluntarily to their home country. Return and reintegration assistance is available through the Home Office’s Voluntary Returns Service. If they do not leave voluntarily, the Government will seek to enforce their removal.
Where an asylum claim has been refused, but an individual subsequently obtains new information in support of their claim to be at risk of persecution, or that would support a claim to be allowed to remain in the UK on the basis of their private of family life here, the Home Office will ensure that the new information is carefully considered. Enforcement action will not proceed until a decision has been made on any fresh evidence submitted.