Let Amar and Carolina stay together!
 Amar Hassan Albadawi is from the Beja tribe of East Sudan - one of the most marginalised and impoverished tribes in Sudan. After being unjustly detained and beaten by the Sudanese army, he joined the rebel Beja Congress freedom fighters in 2003. He was captured, but escaped from prison when it was attacked by the rebel forces. Having become tired of the war, and fearing further detention, he left the country to seek safety in the West, arriving in the UK on a ship from Port Sudan on 9th February 2005.
Within 8 days Amar's asylum claim was refused. His appeal was refused on May 20th 2005, and since that time he has been living here as a destitute asylum seeker. Despite that he has managed to pursue his education, diligently studying electrical engineering for two years, first at college, then on his own when his right to study was withdrawn. He was planning to go to university, but without access to public founds this was impossible, however he was joined several local courses that give him the opportunity to learn and improve his language.
In February 2005 Amar met a young Colombian girl called Carolina, who was visiting relatives in the UK, and fell in love. Although Carolina had to return to Colombia when her visa expired, they kept in touch, and their love grew deeper. Carolina obtained a student visa, and returned to the UK in August 2009 to study and to marry Amar. At the time they could not marry in a registry office, because the Home Office required a Certificate of Approval for asylum seekers, so they undertook an Islamic marriage in the Didsbury mosque, Manchester, on 19th September 2009.
After the marriage Amar moved from his rent-free room with the Boaz Trust, and has lived with Carolina continuously since that time. They have struggled to make ends meet, but never considered separating. As all their friends and acquaintances will testify, their marriage is genuine and based on true love. Nevertheless, the Home Office has refused all further submissions, and insist that Amar returns to Sudan.
On May 9th this year, the infamous and discredited Certificate of Approval was abolished, as it breached European Human Rights Law. That very day Amar went to the registry office to book a wedding, as Islamic marriages are not recognised under UK law. An interview for Amar and Carolina was arranged for June 2nd. However, before this could happen, Amar was detained when he went to report, as required, at Dallas Court Reporting Centre in Salford on May 18th. He was taken to Harmondsworth Immigration Removal Centre near Heathrow, where he has been ever since. The Sudanese Embassy has agreed to issue travel documents, and when that happens Amar will be deported.
Amar and Carolina have established a family life here in the UK, even without a legally recognised marriage certificate. If he is returned to Sudan, his life will still be in danger, and the prospects for their marriage and future will be bleak. Common sense dictates that this loving couple, who have so much to contribute to UK society, should be allowed to stay here together.
Please help Amar and Carolina by signing the petition to the Home Secretary.
We, the undersigned, call upon the Home Secretary to use her powers of discretion and grant Discretionary Leave to Remain in the UK to Amar Hassan Albadawi, Home office reference number: A1254765 so that he can exercise his right to family life, which has been established in the UK since his marriage on September 19th 2009.
Please download and print off petition, <Amar and Carolina .doc >get as many signatures as you can, please return completed petition to:
Let Amar and Carolina Stay Together Campaign
c/o the Boaz Trust
First Floor, 110 Oldham Road
Manchester M4 6AG |