UTIAC A review of the jurisprudence discloses that there is no general proposition that Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights can never be engaged when the family life it is sought to establish is between adult siblings living together. Rather than applying a blanket rule with regard to adult children, each case should be analysed on its own facts, to decide whether or not family life exists, within the meaning of Article 8(1). Whilst some generalisations are possible, each case is fact-sensitive.
The historic injustice and its consequences suffered by former members of the Brigade of Gurkhas are to be taken into account when assessing proportionality under Article 8(2) but the ‘historical wrong’ was not as severe as that perpetrated upon British Overseas Citizens and carries substantially less weight. Because of the exceptional position of Gurkha veterans, and their families, the Secretary of State has made special provision for their entry to the UK outside the Immigration Rules as an acknowledgment that it is in the public interest to remedy the injustice.
Given that the Gurkhas are Nepali nationals, it is not inherently unfair or in breach of their human rights to distinguish between Gurkha veterans, their wives and minor children on the one hand, who will generally be given leave to remain, and adult children on the other, who will only be given leave to remain in exceptional circumstances. The scheme that the Secretary of State has developed is capable of addressing the historical wrong and contains within it a flexibility that, in most cases, will avoid conspicuous unfairness.
[2012] UKUT 160 (IAC)
Bailii
England and Wales
Immigration
Updated: 01 November 2021; Ref: scu.459655
