Sanctuary for Jonathan Kazembe
John O | 12.06.2008 09:32 | Migration | Social Struggles | Workers' Movements
Jonathan is a trainee teacher from Kirumba-Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He has suffered harassment and discrimination as a member of the Banyamulenge tribe. Things got worse when Jonathan joined a humanitarian organisation in 2002 and fought, with others, to stop the conscription of child soldiers by both rebel and government forces. Soldiers would march into the school and seize boys as young as eight years, giving them guns and sending them to fight and kill.
Jonathan Kazembe Petition
- application/msword 98K
Jonathan Kazembe
After protesting Jonathan was captured by rebels, thrown into a make-shift jail, interrogated and tortured. Friends got him out of jail but they soon realized Jonathan must flee the country. He arrived at Heathrow in January 2005.
Jonathan's first asylum claim failed. He was not given the help of a Swahili interpreter and did not fully understand what was going on. He was moved from London to Ashton-under-Lyne part way through the process. Two appeals were not upheld but the judge on the second occasion said that "It would be inhumane to send him back" at that time and that he might be allowed to make a fresh asylum claim for which new evidence would be required.
However Jonathan was then made homeless and destitute until taken in by a family in Glossop, where he has lived ever since. He is active doing voluntary work in the community - with The Lift Global Music Club
http://www.liftglobal.com/ and at Bradbury Community House - where he has a great deal of support. Jonathan is still severely traumatised by his experiences and has been receiving regular counseling at the Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture since November 2007.
Gathering fresh evidence has been hindered by Jonathan's mental distress, and by the recurrent anxiety about Home Office interviews, but progress is being made and a fresh claim is being prepared by specialist immigration solicitors.
Despite this there is evidence that the Home Office is seeking to prepare documents for Jonathan's removal before the claim can be considered. This would deny Jonathan justice and deprive the community of a loved and valued member.
The case of Jonathan Kazembe, a person seeking sanctuary from the Democratic Republic of Congo, was first raised by David Jones in the Glossop Chronicle of Thursday, May 22, 2008. (Details here http://www.tamesidereporter.com/fullstory.php?paper=1&ID=499 .)
This has led to a very strong community campaign to keep Jonathan in the UK.
The Glossop Chronicle is hosting a petition to the Home Secretary ( J. Kazembe.doc ) attached. Please print of the petition get as many signatures as you can and return to the campaign.
Jonathan Kazembe Campaign
C/o Moorside
Charles Lane
Old Glossop
SK13 7SF
Enquiries/further information:
Jonathan Kazembe
jonathonkazembe@btinternet.com
Photo: Copyright Tameside and Glossop Advertiser
End of Bulletin:
Source for this Message:
Jonathan Kazembe Campaign
Jonathan's first asylum claim failed. He was not given the help of a Swahili interpreter and did not fully understand what was going on. He was moved from London to Ashton-under-Lyne part way through the process. Two appeals were not upheld but the judge on the second occasion said that "It would be inhumane to send him back" at that time and that he might be allowed to make a fresh asylum claim for which new evidence would be required.
However Jonathan was then made homeless and destitute until taken in by a family in Glossop, where he has lived ever since. He is active doing voluntary work in the community - with The Lift Global Music Club
http://www.liftglobal.com/ and at Bradbury Community House - where he has a great deal of support. Jonathan is still severely traumatised by his experiences and has been receiving regular counseling at the Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture since November 2007. Gathering fresh evidence has been hindered by Jonathan's mental distress, and by the recurrent anxiety about Home Office interviews, but progress is being made and a fresh claim is being prepared by specialist immigration solicitors.
Despite this there is evidence that the Home Office is seeking to prepare documents for Jonathan's removal before the claim can be considered. This would deny Jonathan justice and deprive the community of a loved and valued member.
The case of Jonathan Kazembe, a person seeking sanctuary from the Democratic Republic of Congo, was first raised by David Jones in the Glossop Chronicle of Thursday, May 22, 2008. (Details here
http://www.tamesidereporter.com/fullstory.php?paper=1&ID=499 .) This has led to a very strong community campaign to keep Jonathan in the UK.
The Glossop Chronicle is hosting a petition to the Home Secretary ( J. Kazembe.doc ) attached. Please print of the petition get as many signatures as you can and return to the campaign.
Jonathan Kazembe Campaign
C/o Moorside
Charles Lane
Old Glossop
SK13 7SF
Enquiries/further information:
Jonathan Kazembe
jonathonkazembe@btinternet.com Photo: Copyright Tameside and Glossop Advertiser
End of Bulletin:
Source for this Message:
Jonathan Kazembe Campaign
John O
e-mail:
JohnO@ncadc.org.uk
Homepage:
http://www.ncadc.org.uk