Effective Campaigning

Many thanks to all those who responded to the appeal from the 'European Coordination for Foreigners' Right to Family Life' last month.

On Tuesday the Legal Committee of the European Parliament unanimously agreed to refer the matter to the European Court of Justice.

Kathalijne Buitenweg, a Dutch MEP commented "An integration test for 12-year-olds is inconceivable -- how much can a child who has grown up in a Turkish village know about European society?"

"And how many mistakes will they be allowed when forced to sing Jingle Bells? Doesn't a child have the right to be reunited with his or her parents simply by virtue of being their child?"

Neil MacCormick, a Scottish National MEP, said it was "vital" to get a court ruling on the article.

Now the decision to refer the matter to the European Court of Justice rests with the President of the European Parliament, Pat Cox.

So it might be advantageous to keep faxing Pat Cox asking him to observe the decision of the Legal Committee.

Mr. Pat Cox: President of the European Parliament
From the UK fax: 00 333 8817 9363 other EU countries + 333 8817 9363

Background:  Right to Family reunion severely undermined