An 87-year-old Syrian man, Jabra Yazbek, has won his appeal to live in the UK with his British citizen son, who couldn’t visit him due to Syria’s ongoing conflict and safety risks. The ruling allows Yazbek to access the UK’s National Health Service (NHS), as his medical needs are unmet in his home country.
Yazbek, from Latakia, Syria, has been living alone, battling severe loneliness since his wife’s death from cancer in 2019. With his family scattered abroad, he struggles with daily tasks like cooking, cleaning, and managing medications, putting his health at significant risk.
In 2022, Yazbek applied for entry clearance to join his son in the UK, but the Home Office rejected his application in 2024, claiming care was available in Syria. However, an Upper Tribunal appeal overturned this, highlighting the lack of adequate elderly care in Syria.
The court learned that Yazbek’s son, his sponsor, arranged for neighbors to check on him, but they couldn’t provide consistent care. In Syrian culture, the eldest son traditionally cares for aging parents, adding weight to the family’s plea.
Yazbek’s health issues include severe depression, anxiety, and an adjustment disorder, worsened by his isolation. He risks food poisoning from eating spoiled food and complications from forgetting his blood pressure and blood-thinning medications.
The tribunal heard that Yazbek, a Christian, feels unsafe in Latakia, where Islamist extremists now hold power. These groups reportedly target Christians, and Yazbek fears leaving his home, risking displacement or worse.
Upper Tribunal Judge Fiona Lindsley ruled that denying Yazbek entry would have “unjustifiably harsh consequences” for both him and his son. She noted that Syria’s lack of cultural practices for elderly care leaves Yazbek vulnerable.
The Home Office argued that affordable care was available in Syria, but Judge Lindsley found this insufficient for Yazbek’s essential needs. She emphasized the risk of early death from neglect, including malnutrition and untreated medical conditions.
Yazbek’s son and his family in the UK would also suffer emotionally if separated, given their close bond and cultural expectations. The judge highlighted the profound loneliness Yazbek faces amid Syria’s violent and unstable environment.
The ruling considered Yazbek’s ability to speak basic English and his son’s financial support as neutral factors. Ultimately, the decision prioritized his right to family life, granting him entry clearance to the UK.
This case underscores the intersection of humanitarian needs and immigration policy, offering Yazbek a chance to live safely with his family while accessing critical healthcare in the UK.