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Viem Kanyinda Kabeya Must Stay
Viem Kanyinda Kabeya is a Congolese asylum
seeker who came to the UK in May 2001. In February 2001 Viem was a member
of student political group called the Ligue de Jeunes Intellectual Congolais
(LJIC) who demonstrated against the appointment of Joseph Kabila's son
as president of the Democratic Republic of Congo without election. Viem
was a board member of the LJIC and took part in decision making concerning
when, where and how demonstrations should take place. On February 25th
he was arrested and detained. While in detention he was beaten and raped.
He suffered broken teeth, cigarette burns on his body as well as being
sexually assaulted.
The Democratic Republic of Congo has been
taken over by a brutal civil war in which many different militias and
rebel groups have taken up arms resulting in huge numbers of civilian
casualties. Young people have been abducted by all the different armed
groups, including the government forces, and forced to fight in the conflict.
Those involved in the political work of the LJIC were told they would
be targeted by the government for forced conscription. In order to avoid
this Viem fled from his colllege and was hidden by his family from the
soldiers sent to conscript him. Friends of his were caught in that round
up.
Viem's family were so afraid for his safety
they contacted an agent and arranged for him to flee the country.
Viem's
claim for asylum was refused despite the Secretary of State accepting
he had been mistreated while detained. One of the reasons for refusal
was that it was the opinion of the Secretary of State that the agents
responsible for his mistreatment, although in the employ of the government,
were "acting of their own volition and abusing their official position".
Human Rights Watch have been monitoring the situation in the DRC and recently
published a list of documented abuses of human rights perpetrated throughout
the country. They say,
"The recent signing of a peace accord and creation of a transitional
national government in the Democratic Republic of Congo has done little
to alleviate attacks on human rights activists, journalists, and members
of civil society."
http://www.hrw.org/backgrounder/africa/drc072403.htm
It is clear that the kind of abuse suffered by Viem in detention is sadly
typical of that meted out across the country and is more than just the
actions of people "acting on their own volition". Law and order
has broken down and government forces are detaining and beating civilians
without check or restraint. As Viem is already known to the authorities
as a political organiser he is at risk of further detention and mistreatment.
Viem is suffering psychologically due to
his experiences in the DRC and the Home Office's refusal to allow him
protection here. Perico Rodriquez, a counsellor working with the Medical
Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture assessed Viem on 17th July
and found he is in need of treatment. He is currently on a waiting list
for a counsellor with the Foundation. Viem was originally referred to
the Medical Foundation by the Refugee Council who were extremely concerned
about his well being after documenting his physical injuries.
Viem has an older brother, Francis, who
was granted ILR as a refugee and who lives in Britain who has been supporting
him. It is vital for his recovery that he is able to access the treatment
of the Medical Foundation and stay close to his brother who can take care
of him.
What you
can do to help
Fax/write to the Home
Secretary David Blunkett, using the model letter 'Attached',
which you can copy/amend/write your own.
Fax no: 020 7273 3965 from outside the UK + 44 20 7273 3965
Or write to:
David Blunkett
Home Secretary
Home Office
50 Queen Anne's Gate
London SW1H 9AT
Please take
time to send a copy of anything sent to:
Viem Kanyinda Kabeya Must Stay Campaign
c/o NCADC
Cambridge House
131 Camberwell Road
London SE5 0HF
Enquiries/further information:
Allison Bennett
Phone: 020 7701 5197
ncadc-london@ncadc.org.uk
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