A GLASGOW family are on hunger strike in a desperate attempt to get clarity on their right to remain in Scotland.

The Kamils, who live in Riddrie, fled Iraq for fear of their lives and were last formally given leave to remain for one year in 2012. They have since heard nothing of their permanent status in Glasgow.

Kurdish Iraqis, the father Kamil Mohammed Nadir was a freedom fighter who was forced to leave to country around 18 years ago.

Over the following years the remainder of the family followed, with most of them having spent more than half of their life here.

The family said: “We are unable to move our life forward, we still have the same refugee status. Simple human rights are being taken away from us, we are unable to be employed, unable to go on to further education, unable to get legally married and we are unable to travel out the country.

“We are helpless and we feel as if the only way we have a voice is to unfortunately go on a hunger strike.

“For 18 years a decision has not been made, how much longer can one wait? Enough is enough so that’s why we have chosen death or freedom.”

The family have all settled well in Glasgow, with Daban, 22, completing university in Aberdeen, Dastan now a Scottish champion lightweight boxer, and the youngest, Barnas, about to begin a law degree.

However, concerns over Daban’s permanent residence putting off prospective employers, while Dastan has also had to put his boxing career on hold as he was denied travel across Europe.

Even 18-year-old Barnas’ university study is in doubt as questions over her funding have yet to be answered.

Daban said: “We arrived when, most of us were very young, the youngest being 5 years of age. We escaped a war and torture in the hopes of a better life and better hope for the future.

“For the past 18 years we have still managed to all individually be successful.

“As a family we have hit braking point as since we got here 18 years ago we have been disadvantaged in many ways.

The family entered the Home Office building in the Govan area on Wednesday afternoon, but after being informed that their case “was not a priority”, were asked to leave.

They have since remained outside on Brand Street.

Support for the family has already flooded in from politicians, who have condemned the slow pace of the Home Office in dealing with this case.

The residents’ MP Paul Sweeney raised the case with the Home Office on June 6 but is still awaiting a response.

MSPs Pauline McNeill, Ivan McKee, Annie Wells, as well as councillor Annette Christie, have joined Mr Sweeney in committing their support to the family.