Refugee Week

Dear friends,

During Refugee Week 2007 speakers from the asylum seeking community and refugees, who have now been afforded safety in the UK but who do not forget what asylum seekers are enduring, spoke at 27 religious services in Cleveland and North Yorkshire. We were warmly received and many people commented on how little they had really known about asylum issues. Some very good contacts were made that week and we have returned to churches for social events.

Conference of the Churches Refugee Network

The fifth annual nationwide Conference of the Churches Refugee Network, now with final speakers added to a lively programme of information, networking and enjoyment.

As always, a simple lunch will be provided, amidst a range of project displays on refugee and asylum work throughout Britain.

News of Ermine and now Anselme

The news about what happened to Ermine and the children is shocking. She was beaten to get her on to the plane - before anyone else got on. They were held in prison in Cameroon until last Friday, when a bribe was paid for Ermine by the person she was fleeing.

She had to give her children to a woman she met visiting in the jail. As she said she could not leave her children in the jail and the woman said she would try to find a foster home. Ermine had no family, we had dropped her with no means to help herself and no way to get herself out of jail. She knew she would be in danger from the tribal chief. She is now in his compound, being watched, no phone and no way to speak to Guymial.

Guymial’s father was sent back, he is a disappeared person now,

Guymial has been in prison on 4 occasion since last March, including weeks in an African prison and has now lost his mother.

We must now try to help Anselme, who rejected all the status and wealth of being named heir to his father, a polygamous tribal chief, because his Christian beliefs would not allow him to take the father’s wives.

Immigration do not understand the strength of tribal tradition in countries like Cameroon and the danger people who reject them because of their faith face. Both Ermine and Anselme attended St Mary’s and in Middlesbrough Guymial attended Sacred Heart school.More information from Justice First, 9 Cromwell Avenue Stockton or to 6, Canberra Road Marton. ( FAX 01642 601109)

We believe Immigration have a target for end of April, so many arrested these last 2 weeks including Rufina and her children and victims of torture who can hardly climb the stairs to our office.

Demonstrations against deportations to DRC

Demonstrations are being organised in London, by Congo Support Project (London and Manchester) and the Conseil des Resistants Congolais (CRC), against deportations to the Congo and in protest about the massacres in Bas Congo on 9 and 10 May.

On 9 May there will be a demonstration outside the Congolese embassy and on 10 May (a Saturday) there will be a demonstration in Parliament Square.

Further details will be posted here when information arrives.