TEENAGERS battling a “death sentence” return to Pakistan could be given permission to stay in Scotland, Theresa May has said.
The Prime Minister has agreed to have the Home Office re-evaluate the asylum refusal given to 13-year-old Areeb and older brother Somer, 15.
The pair fled their country of birth six years ago with midwife mum Parveen and data analyst dad Maqsood.
Maqsood received death threats from Islamic extremists over his Christian faith and, despite moving several times over two years, could not find safety.
Despite this, the Home Office denied the Glasgow four asylum on the grounds that they should settle in another part of Pakistan, where blasphemy remains on the statute books. However, 93,000 people have signed petitions calling for the Umeed-Bakhsh family to be given the right to stay here. Yesterday Theresa May made a Commons pledge to ensure the Home Office “looks again”.
Responding to a question from Paul Sweeney, the family’s MP, she said: “Every case in relation to people’s right to stay here in the United Kingdom is looked at extremely carefully.
“I will certainly ensure that the Home Office looks again at this case.”
Writing in the Sunday National recently, Amy Brown, who attends Springburn Academy with the brothers and started a petition on the family’s behalf, said: “The family are indispensable members of our community and should not have to feel any fear on any issue regarding their future.
“They belong in Scotland. They belong in Glasgow.”
Responding to May’s comments, local MSP Bob Doris said: “I am delighted to hear that the Prime Minister has pledged her support to the Umeed-Baskhsh family, after months of indifference from the Home Office.
“Their story has touched the hearts of tens of thousands of people and the support given by the local community to Somer, Areeb and their parents has been both inspiring and heartwarming.
“The UK Government has a duty to ensure that they take full account of the individual circumstances in each case, and that everyone seeking asylum is treated fairly and with dignity.
“This family have been treated appallingly.”
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