Refugee champion gutted dad is barred from visiting
Home Office says no to trip to see son get uni honour
A charity boss has spoken of his frustration after the Home Office blocked his father from seeing him presented with an honorary degree.
Sabir Zazai, who stays in the Rutherglen constituency, is head of the Scottish Refugee Council, and is to attend Glasgow University on June 11 to receive an honorary degree for his services to civil society over the last 20 years in the UK.
Mr Zazai, originally from Afghanistan, had hoped that dad Mohammad Zahir Zazai would be allowed into the country to see him collect the honour.
However, the Home Office rejected the application, on the grounds that they believe Mr Zazai’s father would not return home.
Mr Zazai told the Guardian newspaper: “I feel that I’m in a high security prison where I’m not allowed family visits. I also feel that because of my background as an asylum seeker, my daughters – both British citizens – are being denied their right to a family life because they’re not allowed to meet their grandfather.”
The decision was labelled “shameful” in the Scottish Parliament by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
Rutherglen MP Ged Killen raised the matter in Parliament last week, and has accused the Home Office of assuming “the worst in everyone”.
He said: “This is a special occasion for Sabir and his family and it is really important his father is there to celebrate it with him.
“UKVI staff are working under enormous pressure and mistakes happen, but in this case there simply isn’t the time for mistakes, that is why I asked the Home Secretary to intervene and I am extremely disappointed that he has ignored that request.
“Under the Tories, the Home Office is hostile and suspicious, they assume the worst in everyone and there is very little compassion and absolutely no ownership of mistakes or incorrect decisions.
“I will continue to explore all available options to have this nonsensical decision overturned.”
Support for Mr Zazai’s application has also come from Glasgow University and from the Refugee Action charity.
In a statement, Refugee Action said: “As chief executive of the Scottish Refugee Council and previously of the Coventry Refugee and Migrant Centre, Sabir has made an outstanding contribution to the UK over the past 20 years.
“This has included very extensive and constructive engagement over the years with Home Office officials.
“It has been reported that the reasons given for the rejection of the application were entirely erroneous, including stating that Sabir’s father comes from Pakistan rather than Afghanistan.
“We urge you to ensure that the decision is rapidly reconsidered and approved.” A Home Office spokesperson said: “We are urgently looking into this case and will be in touch with the applicant in due course.”