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Plain text version:

 

The Rt. Hon. Priti Patel MP

Secretary of State for the Home Department

 

Sent via email

 

Our ref: 20210819/JC

 

Thursday, 19 August 2021

 

Dear Home Secretary,

 

Re. Afghanistan family reunion scheme

 

I am writing you to regarding the crisis in Afghanistan and the urgent need to ensure the UK fulfils its legal and moral duties to those most in need.

 

In my own constituency of Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough and across the country, many who still have family in Afghanistan are under enormous distress due to the uncertainty surrounding the safety of their loved ones. Therefore, a top priority must be to introduce a streamlined family reunion scheme.

 

The scale of this humanitarian crisis cannot be overstated, but we cannot allow administrative hurdles to prevent us from providing safe sanctuary to all those who need it. Hence, a simplified visa process must be implemented to reduce processing times, particularly for those at most risk. Extra resources will also be required to ensure that applications can be processed in a timely manner so that those at risk are able to escape the dangers of the Taliban as soon as possible.

 

During this immense crisis, we must show the people of Afghanistan that we are playing our part in helping them to find safe sanctuary. I am concerned by the void that is being left due to the suspension of most NGO humanitarian work in the country, making the need to provide refuge to those affected all the more urgent.

 

I urge you to ensure that the UK meets its legal and moral obligations in wake of this horrific crisis. We must reunite people with their families as quickly as possible and continue the UK’s proud legacy of helping those in need.

 

Yours sincerely,

Gill Furniss MP

Member of Parliament for Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough

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