No Borders opposes the Britain state’s policy of removing asylum seekers to DR Congo which they are now doing again with charter flights such as the one last Thursday carrying 24 people to Kinshasa. As usual, the UK Border Agency trots out it’s usual story about “ensuring that removals are carried out in the most sensitive way possible, treating those being removed with courtesy and dignity”. Yeah, right: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/british-guards-assault-and-racially-abuse-deportees-396034.html

But, as pointed out in this article by Get Loud: War Child Canada, the press often fail to point out the roots of the warfare due to colonial and corporate grabbing of land and resources that has been going on for centuries. Also it’s a fact that the world’s Top 5 arms producers are the members of the UN Security Council: US, Russia, France, UK & Germany. It’s these Top 5 and China that have ensured Africa is awash with weapons and continue to sell arms. For example throughout the Cold War (1950-1989), the US delivered over $1.5 billion worth of weaponry to Africa. Many of the top US arms clients ? Liberia, Somalia, the Sudan, and Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo or DRC) ? have turned out to be the worst in terms of violence.

It’s therefore more than sickening to see the leading politicians of Britain and France saying something must be done to help, which usually involves more guns and soldiers but no real change to poverty, and especially anything that would affect business as usual for corporations. At the same time our governments are making it harder for refugees to escape to Europe by their borders and identity policies and attitude to non-EU born people in general. No Borders Nottingham has and will continue to support Congolese asylum seekers who wish to stay in Britain whatever the government says about the safety or otherwise of DR Congo. It’s also sickening to know that while Heckler & Koch, continue to distribute arms from their offices & depot right here in Lenton, their MP5 sub-machine gun and P7 semi-automatic pistol are being used in DR Congo. Also their older G3 assault rifle is the weapon of choice of the Janjaweed in Darfur/Sudan and were also used in the 2008 post-election massacres in Kenya. H&K is the world?s second-largest manufacturer of handguns, assault rifles, submachine guns, machine guns and grenade launchers.

The Country Guidance Tribunal set for 28th March has been moved to Thursday April 12th. There wil be a demo on Wednesday as planned and a further, hopefully even biger demonstraion on April 12th. Watch this space for details.

Read more for leaflet and more details.

* Asylum seekers in Nottingham need your help in putting pressure on the government to admit that its deportation policy is wrong.
XL Airlines are the company deporting people to Congo.

Stop Deportations to the Congo!

A meeting between Congolese asylum seekers and No Borders Nottingham on Monday March 19th decided to draw up and distribute the following leaflet.

PLEASE COME ALONG TO THE PLANNED EVENT IT ADVERTISES FOR
NEXT WEDNESDAY 28TH MARCH AT 1.00PM IN THE MARKET SQUARE
AND SHOW YOUR SUPPORT.

“The Home Office plans to deport more Congolese people from the UK in spite of evidence that it is not only still unsafe for them to return but that the situation is worsening. In March a United Nations report described the situation there as ?deteriorating?. The Bishop of Winchester objected recently in the Lords to government claims that the country was now safe, noting that every independent organisation with first-hand experience finds ministerial assurances of safety ?simply incredible?. He said that the Country Guidance Case on March 28th, at which the situation could be re-evaluated by the government, ?will hear fresh evidence of ill-treatment, torture and rape of returned refugees, both at the airport and at associated holding centres?.

No Borders Nottingham and Congolese people and ask you to attend a rally to show solidarity on March 28th at 1.00 in the Market Square. Please come and show solidarity with us”.

Asylum seekers in Nottingham need your help in putting pressure on the government to admit that its deportation policy is wrong. For more information see www.nobordersnottingham.org.uk

www.nottsrefugeeforum.org.uk

www.ncadc.org.uk

Nottingham refugee network

Nottingham Congolese community

Contact: Patrick Essalo 07877489626

Discussion of situation in Democratic Republic of Congo in the House of Lords.

This shows the willful ignorance about the situation in Parliament
The Lord Bishop of Winchester asked Her Majesty?s Government on what evidence they have concluded that asylum seekers returned to the Democratic Republic of Congo will be safe from harm….

XL Airlines are the company deporting people to Congo. See No Borders Brighton action:

https://www1.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/02/363179.html

The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Scotland of Asthal): “My Lords, every
asylum claim is considered on its individual merits, in accordance with our international
obligations and taking full account of the conditions in the country concerned. Information
obtained from a wide range of sources is provided to asylum decision-makers in country
information reports, which are published on a regular basis. The latest report on DRC was
published on14 February 2007 and can be accessed on the Home Office website”.

The Lord Bishop of Winchester: “My Lords, the Minister and her department?including in
the material that it publishes?always make Kinshasa sound like Dorking, in my experience.
Have the Minister and her department asked themselves why every individual and body with
first-hand experience of Kinshasa and N?Djili airport?and I was frightened there myself
when I passed through it, and I am large and male?and who know the DRC, find the
mantra-like assurances of the department simply incredible?
Has the Minister checked the Answer to my Question? The evidence given to me that all
the assurances on which all the EU countries and the UNHCR base this advice is very
probably based on the evidence of a single individual, who gains financially from it, and whose NGO, Voix des Sans-Voix, does not have a presence at N?Djili, although the Home Office regularly says that it does. Is the Minister aware that a country guidance case, listed for
28 March, will hear fresh evidence of ill-treatment, torture and rape of returned
refugees, both at the airport and at associated holding centres? Will she say that returns will be ceased until that hearing at the end of March? Will she give an assurance that the safety of those returned this week will be carefully monitored?

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: My Lords, of course I hear what the right relevant prelate
says about the DRC, and I share with him the concerns in relation to any country that has
had difficulties. But I have to tell him that all the reports that we have?and they do
not come from just one source?reassert and reinform the information that we have that there is no objective evidence that those returning to the DRC are being specifically targeted for abuse simply because they have sought asylum. The right reverend prelate knows that
that decision was arrived at by the EU Heads of Mission investigation and by all who have
entered into this field. But I can certainly assure the right reverend prelate that we
are anxious to make sure that the information on which we make the in-country assessments is genuine”.

URGENT FINANCIAL APPEAL TOWARDS THE FUNERAL COSTS OF MASIVI OLIDO WHO DIED SUDDENLY ON SATURDAY 9TH AUGUST 2008

Let’s dignify MASIVI OLIDO and do good deed as he did for many people. MASIVI OLIDO, a 36 year old young man with a big heart full of compassion died suddenly on Saturday 9th August. Masivi was an active member of the Nottingham Congolese Community, and a member of MPR, who came to the UK and claimed asylum when the Mobutu regime was replaced by Kabila and Rwandan rebel forces in wars that have made the DR Congo one of the most dangerous places on earth. The Home Office sent him to Nottingham in 2001 where he lived until his last hour.

At the moment we need to make sure we have enough funds to bury him in a dignified way. He will be buried according to his cultural tradition. He must look smart as he always used to be.

We need to raise enough funds for this to happen. The funeral costs are estimated to be more than £2,500 We also need to make a one-off donation to his two children, his wife and his elderly mother.

Please click on ‘read more’ to find out more and how to donate to the appeal.

Nottingham no Borders is sad and angry ? very angry – to have to report the death of Olido Masivi. We are proud to have demonstrated side by side with him for the rights of asylum seekers and to raise awareness in Nottingham of the situation faced by Congolese people that the British state is trying to deport. Too many people are dying in this system, through neglect and worse. In Olido?s case, very few of us even knew he was ill. We knew him as a fighter. There are questions to be answered here, but in the short term the Congolese community is looking to dignify his memory and help his family a little, so we hope people visiting this site will give a little money and circulate this appeal. Look out for his picture in our random gallery and remember him with us.

URGENT FINANCIAL APPEAL TOWARDS THE FUNERAL COSTS OF MASIVI OLIDO WHO DIED SUDDENLY ON SATURDAY 9TH AUGUST 2008
Let’s dignify MASIVI OLIDO and do good deed as he did for many people. MASIVI OLIDO, a 36 year old young man with a big heart full of compassion died suddenly on Saturday 9th August. Masivi was an active member of the Nottingham Congolese Community, and a member of MPR, who came to the UK and claimed asylum when the Mobutu regime was replaced by Kabila and Rwandan rebel forces in wars that have made the DR Congo one of the most dangerous places on earth. The Home Office sent him to Nottingham in 2001 where he lived until his last hour.

Since 2001, Masivi fought for both his asylum case and his severe medical condition of epileptic fits with depression and lack of sleep. He looked smart and wanted to improve his and other people’s life conditions. The doctors had been helping Masivi to recover from his condition but it was difficult because of the immigration pressure, fear of deportation to the Congo and many social problems. He was a father of 2 teenagers (the eldest is 15) and had a wife and mother to support. He was not allowed to work and he was, on many occasions, left homeless and completely destitute by the asylum system. He is a victim of the system

The doctors had warned that he shouldn?t be left unsupervised. They also asked that he should get adequate medical and care support which was not available for refused asylum seekers. He died a sudden death when he was taken to hospital from his room on Friday night/Saturday morning and the paramedic couldn?t do much to help. It was too late!

We feel that his death must be investigated and we need justice for Masivi. Masivi had always respected the asylum system and he completely complied with their restrictions. He was seen many, many times by his solicitors, NNNR staff and volunteers, Social Services, Hospitals and other agencies.

Almost everybody who remembers Masivi, remembers him as a nice and good looking man. He was very private about his problems. He used the NNRF food group and anti-destitution group when he was completely destitute.

Looking in his files, there are more than enough medical reports to see how Masivi was fighting as hard as he could. He made sure he had a good solicitor dealing with his case and impressed James who looked after him since he was at French & Co and now has his own firm. James told me that Masive called him First Call each time they met until James finally decided to call his own firm ‘First Call Immigration’.

I was at the Masivi gathering where many people from the community, James and others looked completely devastated by his sudden tragic death. We want Justice for Masivi.

At the moment we need to make sure we have enough funds to bury him in a dignified way. He will be buried according to his cultural tradition. He must look smart as he always used to be.

We need to raise enough funds for this to happen. The funeral costs are estimated to be more than £2,500 We also need to make a one-off donation to his two children, his wife and his elderly mother.

James and Patrick are working hard to get the Council to contribute to some of the costs but it still uncertain whether or not they will help.
Masivi helped many people who came to Nottingham. He took part and sang in Congolese Churches and taught people to cut hair african styles. He cut kids hair at their homes. He did all this for free. It is time for us to pay him back and give him a fitting send off and memorial.
The Congolese Community in Nottingham and all of his friends mourn his passing. He will be sorely missed. Please support this appeal generously.

Amdani Juma

Donations can be sent to:
Nottingham Congolese Community
c/o NNRFThe Square Centre
Alfred Street North
Nottingham
NG3 1AA

or, Directly into their bank account:
Barclays Bank
Account name: Nottingham Congolese Community
Sort code: 20-55-68
Account no: 60673943
Make cheques payable to ‘Nottingham Congolese Community’

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/marie-therese

If you would like to find out more, you can visit the campaign website on:

www.freemarietherese.com or www.liberezmarietherese.com

Around 60 people demonstrated in Nottingham’s market square over the lunchtime period, some singing in protest. 500 information leaflets were handed out and the response from passers-by was positive. The protest then made its way to The Bridewell courts area next to the canal. More details to follow soon, regarding the result of the hearing.

New National Photos

Nottingham – additional report with photographs: DRC Deportations Demo (April 12) & Demonstrations against Congo deportations – a report on both demos on the Nottingham and Notts Refugee Forum home page.

Reports from other April 12th demos … Birmingham: Over 250 DR Congolese on Anti-Deportation demo in Birmingham & Solihull Protest Against Deportations to DRC & Police Mar Peaceful Protest Against DRC Deportations in Solihull – includes photos. London: Protest against deportations to DRC – includes video.

Also, listen to an Interview regarding Congo Deportations, with Innocent Empi who is the Manchester Representative of the Congo Support Project.

On 12th April 2007, there will be a “directions hearing” for the Country Guidance tribunal on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This will be a meeting between the judge, the barristers bringing the case and the home office to ensure all parties have been served with the information they need. After this the date for the full hearing will be established.
We need to be out in force on 12th April, and on any subsequent tribunal dates, to show our solidarity with Congolese asylum seekers and to protest against further deportations to DRC.

DETAILS OF NOTTINGHAM DEMO
12.00 noon in
The Market Square
off South Parade
Nottingham NG1

Contacts:
Alexis Mabika : 07950 545328
Patrick Essalo : 07877 489626 / patrickessalo@yahoo.com

Organised by:
Congolese Community in Nottingham, No Borders Nottingham, and Nottingham Refugee Network.
Full details of demonstrations across the country, on Indymedia UK:
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/04/367009.html

Also, listen to an Interview regarding Congo Deportations, with Innocent Empi who is the Manchester Representative of the Congo Support Project.

Between 60 and 80 people, including other asylum seekers (showing wonderful and much appreciated solidarity) & supporters from the host community, joined our vibrant Congolese community. We were-well received by people in the Market Square, who took the leaflet and asked for more information, and many signed our petition. We also learned more about the hundreds of people killed in Congo in recent weeks. Several Congolese did excellent interviews with the BBC locally too, and the coverage they gave on the local news tonight was postive and accurate (See the video! – Leicester then Nottingham then Congo [attachment=4]) . We then marched to the Bridewell Magistrates Court and sang and even danced for sanctuary (See the photos from Nottingham demo!- click to see full size images). More photos expected on Notts indymedia.

UN officials warned here Tuesday that fighting between rebels and army troops in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo had displaced up to 500,000 people and left many in an “appalling” situation. The warning came as heavy fighting between forces loyal to renegade general Laurent Nkunda and the army continued in the Nord-Kivu region Tuesday, the day after the rebels launched an “active offensive” against army troops. A spokesman for the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in the provincial capital Goma told AFP Tuesday that it had recorded 371,000 people as internally displaced in the region since December 2006.

UN warns of thousands of victims of DR Congo fighting
From Goma, DR Congo, Oct 9, 2007 (AFP)

http://www.monuc.org/news.aspx?newsID=15669

UN officials warned here Tuesday that fighting between rebels and army troops in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo had displaced up to 500,000 people and left many in an “appalling” situation.

The warning came as heavy fighting between forces loyal to renegade general Laurent Nkunda and the army continued in the Nord-Kivu region Tuesday, the day after the rebels launched an “active offensive” against army troops.

A spokesman for the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in the provincial capital Goma told AFP Tuesday that it had recorded 371,000 people as internally displaced in the region since December 2006.

“But we have information of another 136,000 displaced people, that we have not yet confirmed because of the security situation, which would bring the total displaced up to half a million in nine months,” Louis Vigneault said.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees said the situation of the displaced people, many of them in camps northwest of Goma, was “appalling”.

“In Mugunga, more than 80,000 people are packed into five makeshift camps. There are tensions between them, they are not being welcomed by local people and there are reports of rapes in the camps,” spokesman Jens Hesemann said.

“These people are victims of pillaging and violence by different armed groups, both rebels and soldiers,” he told AFP.

“They have witnessed the forced recruitment of children, arbitrary arrests and attacks on areas where they have gathered before entering the camps.”

The ongoing fighting made it hard for aid workers to reach many of the displaced people, the UNHCR said.

Nkunda, a Tutsi, is a powerful local warlord in the Masisi highlands, located west of Goma, and claims to protect local people against the army and hostile ethnic communities.

Heavy clashes occurred over the weekend and were expected to intensify after Nkunda announced a new offensive Monday and rejected a ceasefire agreed with the army a month ago under pressure from the United Nations.

The UN mission in DRC (MONUC) confirmed fighting continued Tuesday and said it had deployed an operational base in the area to protect civilians.

Speaking to AFP by telephone from the Masisi highlands, Nkunda accused the army — also known as FARDC — of razing the homes of local people.

“In the hills around the villages (where clashes are occurring), FARDC have burned about 30 houses,” he said, adding: “We are resisting these attacks.”

Nkunda repeated his accusations that the army was fighting alongside extremist Rwandan Hutus based in eastern DRC, many of whom are alleged to have taken part in the Rwandan genocide of ethnic Tutsis and moderate Hutus in 1994.

The army command at Goma was unavailable for comment, but has previously denied the claims.

Meanwhile, local media group Journalists in Danger said Tuesday that two Ugandan journalists had been detained in Nord-Kivu since October 3 for trying to make contact with Nkunda.