Amnesty International UK
Log in
Campaigns Blog

You did it: 131 MPs voted for the Refugee Family Reunion Bill!

Family in living room

Today, the Refugee Family Reunion Bill had its second reading in the House of Commons - and passed to the next stage! This takes us one giant step closer to reuniting refugee families.

We needed at least 100 MPs to vote in order for the Bill to pass the second reading. We're delighted that 131 MPs supported bringing refugee families together - thanks to months of phone calls, letters, emails, events and MP visits by thousands of people up and down the UK.

Thank you for raising your voice - you've been heard!

What is the Refugee Family Reunion Bill?

The current UK laws on the rights of refugees are restrictive and unfair. They mean mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters who have lost everything in the wake of the war and persecution, also lose their family. They don’t just miss out on the big family occasions like birthdays. They miss out on the everyday stuff too; the mundane but wonderful bits of family life.

The Refugee Family Reunion Bill would change all of that:

Young people who have turned 18 and elderly parents would also be able to live in safety with their families here.

  1. Child refugees would have the right to sponsor their close family to come to the UK so they can rebuild their lives together.
  2. Young people who have turned 18 and elderly parents would also be able to live in safety with their families here.
  3. Refugees who have lost everything could access legal aid to help them navigate the complicated process of being reunited with their families.

People power in action

More than 13,000 people emailed their MP asking them to show up and vote today. Many people wrote letters and hundreds of you tweeted your support for #FamiliesTofether.

The Wonder of Family Life

To raise awareness of the UK’s strict and unfair rules ahead of the Bill reading, we turned family life into a living art installation on London’s Southbank. Real families spent time in a living room inside a big glass box, just doing everyday family stuff like watching a film, or playing a board game, or having a pizza...oblivious to the fact they’re in an open public space, in central London, surrounded by hundreds of people.

When we watch it all from the outside we see that family life is full of small, lovely moments that we tend to take for granted. How could anyone be denied this?

About Amnesty UK Blogs
Our blogs are written by Amnesty International staff, volunteers and other interested individuals, to encourage debate around human rights issues. They do not necessarily represent the views of Amnesty International.
View latest posts
0 comments

Related content

While you’re here…

Like you, we are horrified by the violence and the civilian death toll in Gaza, Israel and the rest of the Occupied Palestinian Territories. We’re calling for an immediate ceasefire by all parties in the occupied Gaza Strip and Israel to prevent further loss of civilian lives. Amnesty International is investigating mass summary killings, indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks, hostage-taking, and siege tactics.

As ever, our mission to protect human rights remains. Please donate today to help expose war crimes and protect human rights. Thank you.

Donate now