APL (Association of Pakistani Lawyers), has welcomed the judgement in the Court of appeal on marriage age restriction on non EU migrant(s) and in particular the remarks of Lord Justice Sedley, one of three judges hearing the challenges from two young couples who said, “ it was up to the home secretary to rewrite the rule, but its impact on innocent lives made it “impossible to justify”.
APL highlighted the discriminatory rule (277 HC 395) at its inception banning young couples to marry and seek entry visa for their partners until they both reach at the age of 21. It was not only unreasonable but irrational when same young person’s if were willing could marry under the age of 21 if they choose partners from UK and Europe. APL was of the view that this indirect condition was discriminatory and disrespectful to different cultures in UK restricting choice and in time marriages. APL further highlighted that new rules will promote lawlessness, unmarried relationships and will attack the institution of marriage in minority communities who hail from Asia and Africa.
APL has welcomed the court of appeal judgement and has appreciated the higher judiciary to protect the interest of minority communities who are direct victim of executive heavy handedness, which promote a ‘nanny state’ culture sometimes by capping the annual limit of migrants to enter, limiting the rights of student dependents or on the other by imposing English language as a prerequisite to marry the British partners affecting directly the migrant communities.
Barrister Amjad Malik
Chair Association of Pakistani Lawyers (UK)
Background Link:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12054705
