2025-09-05 Letter to MP Andrew Gwynne - Urgent Appeal to Oppose the Recent Suspension of Refugee Family Reunion Rules
September 5, 2025•247 words
Subject: Urgent Appeal to Oppose the Recent Suspension of Refugee Family Reunion Rules
Dear Andrew Gwynne,
I hope you are well. I am writing as a concerned constituent to express my deep alarm over the recent suspension of the refugee family‑reunion provisions introduced by the government.
The right to family life is a cornerstone of the 1951 Refugee Convention, to which the United Kingdom is a signatory. By abruptly halting family reunification, the government is not only contravening its international obligations but also inflicting severe emotional and psychological harm on individuals who have already endured trauma and displacement.
What is particularly distressing is the speed with which this policy was enacted—without adequate parliamentary scrutiny, public consultation, or impact assessment. Such a rushed approach suggests a disregard for the human cost and undermines the moral leadership that the UK should embody on refugee protection.
I respectfully urge you to:
1. Publicly condemn the suspension as a breach of the Refugee Convention and an inhumane measure.
2. Call on the Home Office to reverse the policy immediately and restore the existing family‑reunification framework.
3. Advocate for a thorough parliamentary inquiry into the decision‑making process behind this change, ensuring transparency and accountability.
Your strong voice on this matter could make a decisive difference for countless families awaiting reunification. Thank you for your attention to this urgent humanitarian issue. I look forward to hearing about the actions you will take on behalf of refugees and their families.
Yours sincerely,
Ryan Bestford