UK Accused Of Leaving Vulnerable Migrant Women In Limbo

London, July 4 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 4th Jul, 2022 ) :Miriam was left stranded and penniless overseas when her abusive British husband decided to return to the UK with their three children several years ago.

Now living in Britain, she describes a fierce legal battle she faced for the right to live in the same country as her children, who are British citizens.

The father removed the children in defiance of an international treaty against child abduction but took them to a third country which had not signed the agreement, thereby making it possible to then take them to Britain without being accused of kidnapping.

But Miriam, who did not want to use her real name, now lives a "life in limbo", subject to her ex-husband's whims because Britain will not grant her indefinite leave to remain, which gives an individual the right to live, work and study in Britain.

She is one of many migrant women who rights groups say will continue to be denied support by the British government.

AFP has withheld details about her to ensure her safety.

After a 10-year wait, Britain will this month finally ratify the Istanbul Convention -- an international treaty protecting women's rights -- but only partially.

The government says it will not accept rules to help migrant women access help to flee their abuser, which critics say will put them in even more danger.

"It's a really dire situation for migrant women," said Elizabeth Jimenez-Yanez, coordinator of the #StepUpMigrantWomen campaign.

With only partial ratification, Britain sends a "really dangerous" message, she said.

"You are sending the message to perpetrators that there will not be consequences if you abuse migrant women," she said, since many will not come forward out of fear.

While women's groups say it is difficult to say how many migrant women are victims of domestic violence, they say the majority stay in abusive relationships over concerns they will be forced to leave a country where they have made a home.

The Council of Europe's Istanbul Convention, adopted in 2011, is the world's first binding instrument to prevent and combat violence against women.

Britain has said it will not implement Article 59, which requires countries to give residency to survivors whose immigration status depends on a spouse or partner.

A parliamentary committee in the upper chamber House of Lords recently urged the government to ratify the treaty with the article.

Any implementation of the article would mean women like Miriam, who has a 10-year visa for as long as her children are in Britain, could live without fear over their status.