- Simone Carmen Johnson was informed her relationship doesn’t meet conditions
A woman who was refused permission to move to the UK to join her two male lovers so they can continue with their ‘loving family’ has vowed to take legal action against the British government if the decision is not overturned.
Simone Carmen Johnson, from South Africa, had applied for an Unmarried Partner Visa for a right to travel to Britain back in February so the three could be together.
Her lovers, Tao Settembrini (formerly known as Rochelle Settembrini) and Larissa Settembrini, are already living there and waiting for her to join them.
However, her application was officially denied on 26th June. The visa allows unmarried long-term partners of British or Irish citizens to stay with them in the UK and applies to both heterosexual and same-sex relationships.
However, Johnson was informed in her refusal letter that her relationship does not meet the required conditions, which she complains is discriminatory towards her situation.
Simone Carmen Johnson (right) is pictured alongside her two lovers Tao Settembrini (left) and Larissa Settembrini (middle)
Johnson pointed out that while unusual for the UK, polygamy is legal in South Africa, and immigration rules do not strictly prohibit her from obtaining a partner visa.
She complained that the rejection is an infringement on her basic human rights, guaranteed by Article 8 of the European Convention.
LGBTQ+ rights defenders have also reportedly called the decision one that is based on outdated views on family and relationships.
Insisting it was an unfair decision, Johnson has decided to reapply and urged Immigration officers to reconsider.
In her second application, she wrote: ‘The refusal implies a lack of evidence for a genuine and subsisting relationship. This assessment neglects to consider the unique dynamics of polygamous relationships.’
UK Immigration and British Nationality Senior Manager at Move Up UK Visa Solutions, Gwen Vermeulen, said that their refusal not only tears apart a loving family, but also raises troubling questions about the UK’s commitment to human rights and equality.
Vermeulen said: ‘We are urging the UK Home Office to reconsider this decision and recognise the validity of diverse family structures.’
Vermeulen added that there are pre-existing precedents that allow Johnson’s application to be accepted.
If refused a second time, Vermeulen said they would take up the case in a legal challenge with the relevant tribunal.
Tribunals are judicial bodies that operate independently from courts but still perform judicial functions. They deal with specific types of disputes such as employment disputes and in this case immigration matters.
MailOnline has contacted the Home Office for contact.