Possible actions on the proposed deportation charter flight to DR Congo.
If any DR Congo refused asylum seekers are detained and given removal directions, it is suggested they seek legal advice immediately. It might be possible for each individual case to be challenged by way of further representations to the Home Office on the basis of the BK case and the evidence which the Home Office is in possession of. It may be possible to legally challenge any rejection by the Home Office of any such further representations by way of judicial review and injunction as the evidence in the BK case is thought to pass the fresh claim test. For further info including a potentially useful court order see NCADC news story: Potential legal challenge to removals to DR Congo
If you are a refused DR Congo asylum seeker, have been given removal directions that include the words ‘Operation Castor’ and flight number PVT616 for 30 August 2007, and you do not have a legal representative, then the National Coalition of Anti Deportation Campaigns (NCADC) may be able to put you in touch will a well-respected immigration solicitor who can represent you for free. Please note, this is specifically for asylum seekers with removal directions as a part of ‘Operation Castor’ only. The following information is required: Full names of asylum seeker and any dependants; Date of birth(s); Port ref number and Home Office ref number; Date, time, flight number of removal directions.
Get your MP to sign Early Day Motion (EDM) 1729 laid down by Rudi Vis MP: ‘That this House maintains that, in the light of the imminent Country Guidance tribunal on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), due to commence in July, which will address risk on return for failed asylum seekers from this country, all further deportations and removals to DRC should be suspended until the case has been heard and a decision reached, as it would be imprudent to return DRC nationals if there is a possibility that credible evidence may be presented in the tribunal to demonstrate that there is a real and substantial risk of serious ill treatment of returned asylum seekers.’ See: EDM 1729
If your MP is one of the 53 MPs who have already signed then download the model letter (see link below – SignedEDM1729), informing your MP that despite them having signed the EDM, the Home Office has arranged another deportation charter flight to the DR Congo, and asking him/her to lobby the Immigration Minister to cancel the flight.
If your MP is not one of the below 53 MPs who have already signed then download the attached model letter (see link below – NotSignedEDM1729), asking your MP to sign the EDM now.
As Parliament is in recess, we suggest you either email your MP or write/fax him/her at their constituency address. You can find out who your MP is and his/her contact details; here.
You can read the protest statement against DRC deportations
You can also attend public meetings and demonstrations being held on the issue across the UK:
- Public meeting in Manchester, Saturday 25 August 2007, 3.30-6.30pm;
- March against deportations to DR Congo in Manchester, Newcastle, Glasgow and Cardiff (other cities – to be announced), Tuesday 28 August 2007 – 12 noon;
- Immigration Advice workshop for Congolese asylum seekers in Manchester, Saturday 15 September 2007, 3.30pm;
- Demonstration to mark the beginning of the DR Congo ‘Country Guidance’ case in Manchester (other cities – to be announced), Monday 17 September, time to be announced.
Related links
Download the model letter for MP’s who have already signed (word doc, 26kb)
Download the model letter for MP’s who have not yet signed (word doc, 26kb)
IRR news story: Another deportation charter flight to DR Congo
Protest statement against DRC deportations launched
NCADC news story: 18 Children & 14 adult DR Congolese to be deported by ‘Charter Flight’
NCADC news story: UK Government publicly condemns abusive regimes and quietly deports their victims back to them, under the legal-radar