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FAMILY LEFT HOMELESS
By Katie Davies
Newcastle Evening Chronicle
January 18, 2010 Monday
UK
A COUPLE and their children have been evicted and left destitute
after their appeal for asylum was refused.
Kamo and Nonna Manukyan have lived in Wallsend, North Tyneside,
for two years with their children, Lusi, 18, and Arsen, 19.
The Home Office want the Christian family-of-four to return to
Uzbekistan or to Armenia, where mum Nonna and her two children have
citizenship.
The family, formerly of Helmsley Drive, were forced to leave their
property in freezing temperatures this week after they received a
letter from their accommodation provider, Angel Group.
Angel Group wrote to the family stating that they were no longer
entitled to accommodation, as their application had been refused.
The Manukyans have since managed to find a place to stay but are
relying on charity and handouts from friends and neighbours.
Wallsend's People's Centre Walking With project are helping the family
as much as they can, as their only support - free food vouchers -
has been cut off.
Ian Ferguson, from the centre, said: "It's grossly immoral what is
happening to this family.
"It's as if the authorities are trying to starve these people out of
the country. "They have no means of obtaining any food."
The Manukyans are forced to live with their most treasured possessions
in bags in fear they could be put out at any time if charity donations
run out.
Mum Nonna has serious health problems and without shelter and support
her situation could deteriorate. Lusi, who scored top grades at
A-level and won places to study medicine at Newcastle and St Andrew's
universities said: "I thought things may have changed in the New Year
but then this happens.
"The most annoying thing was that the letter arrived the day after
our deadline to move out."
The family risk being torn apart if they are deported.
While Nonna, Arsen and Lusi have Armenian citizenship, dad Kamo
does not.
He could be extradited to Uzbekistan, splitting the family in two.
Arsen, who is a star pupil on his art and design course at Newcastle
College, claims he will be jailed if sent to Armenia.
Military service is compulsory in the country and, since his 18th
birthday, Arsen has missed two call-ups.
The Home Office have rejected their appeal for an extension - stating
they should have been prepared to leave.
A UK Border Agency spokesman said: "Our decision to refuse this family
asylum has been upheld throughout the full appeal process.
"Once a decision has been made we expect people to leave voluntarily."
By Katie Davies
Newcastle Evening Chronicle
January 18, 2010 Monday
UK
A COUPLE and their children have been evicted and left destitute
after their appeal for asylum was refused.
Kamo and Nonna Manukyan have lived in Wallsend, North Tyneside,
for two years with their children, Lusi, 18, and Arsen, 19.
The Home Office want the Christian family-of-four to return to
Uzbekistan or to Armenia, where mum Nonna and her two children have
citizenship.
The family, formerly of Helmsley Drive, were forced to leave their
property in freezing temperatures this week after they received a
letter from their accommodation provider, Angel Group.
Angel Group wrote to the family stating that they were no longer
entitled to accommodation, as their application had been refused.
The Manukyans have since managed to find a place to stay but are
relying on charity and handouts from friends and neighbours.
Wallsend's People's Centre Walking With project are helping the family
as much as they can, as their only support - free food vouchers -
has been cut off.
Ian Ferguson, from the centre, said: "It's grossly immoral what is
happening to this family.
"It's as if the authorities are trying to starve these people out of
the country. "They have no means of obtaining any food."
The Manukyans are forced to live with their most treasured possessions
in bags in fear they could be put out at any time if charity donations
run out.
Mum Nonna has serious health problems and without shelter and support
her situation could deteriorate. Lusi, who scored top grades at
A-level and won places to study medicine at Newcastle and St Andrew's
universities said: "I thought things may have changed in the New Year
but then this happens.
"The most annoying thing was that the letter arrived the day after
our deadline to move out."
The family risk being torn apart if they are deported.
While Nonna, Arsen and Lusi have Armenian citizenship, dad Kamo
does not.
He could be extradited to Uzbekistan, splitting the family in two.
Arsen, who is a star pupil on his art and design course at Newcastle
College, claims he will be jailed if sent to Armenia.
Military service is compulsory in the country and, since his 18th
birthday, Arsen has missed two call-ups.
The Home Office have rejected their appeal for an extension - stating
they should have been prepared to leave.
A UK Border Agency spokesman said: "Our decision to refuse this family
asylum has been upheld throughout the full appeal process.
"Once a decision has been made we expect people to leave voluntarily."