Civil Rights Activists Campaign to Stop Deportations to the Congo

Monique Ebomata arrived in the UK in April 1999. She had fled the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) where a devastating and multifactional war had erupted after the forces of Laurent Kabila had wrenched control of the country from the hands of former the four-decade-long dictator, Sese Seko Mobutu.

Monique's husband had been a commander in Mobutu's army. Laurent Kabila's men came looking for him and took him away. It was the last Monique ever saw or heard of her husband. Monique knew it would not be long before the soldiers returned to look for her, as Laurent Kabila wanted to remove all trace of those close to the previous regime, including their extended family members. She had no choice but to leave.

The war that began in 1998 was to cause the deaths of more than four million. People are continuing to die as a result of the conflict at a rate of 1,200 a day. Fighting continues in the east of the country and the rest is wracked by insecurity and desperate poverty. Despite a nominal presidential election that many believe was contrived to serve western interests by ensuring the placement of a puppet government, there is still not a single functioning institution. Rather than ensuring justice, the security services simply peddle arbitrary detentions, rape, disappearances and harassment. Ordinary people protect themselves as best they can, while healthcare is only available to the five per cent of the population that can afford it ; the rest have to resort to faith healers or their own prayers.

This is the environment to which the Home Office, on 16 January 2007, wishes to return Monique, who has lived with us in the UK for the past eight years. Her life here hasn't been easy either, having spent three of the eight years here without housing or financial support, relying solely on the goodwill of friends. However, what Monique has here is better than the situation she would face if forcibly removed to Kinshasa, where she has no one to turn to, nowhere to live and no means to make a living.

Added to that is the fact that failed asylum seekers are invariably detained by the immigration authorities at the airport in the DRC and mistreated. Sometimes, if they can contact a relative, they can be released upon the payment of a bribe. If they have no one to do this they may be transferred to another prison to simply be forgotten about. If they have a political or military profile the risk of mistreatment or prolonged imprisonment is even greater. Two recently returned asylum seekers from the UK have reported being detained in this way at the airport - one was released when friend was able to pay 300 dollars. Another was made to pay 250 dollars. Both were imprisoned and mistreated and have lived in insecurity since.

How you can help Monique stay in this country:

Fax Liam Byrne, Minister for Immigration, download the model fax 'MoniqueEbomataML.doc' which you can copy/amend/write your own (please ensure inclusion of Monique's full name and Home Office ref. E1001689)

Fax: 0207 035 4745 (+44 207 035 4745 from outside the UK)

Please notify Friends of Monique Ebomata of any faxes sent:
C/o Liz Atherton

Source:
Friends of Monique Ebomata