Stop Deportation To DRC, Where Rape Is Endemic

Personally I would consider anyone involved in trying to deport Mireille Mbimbo to the DRC as conspiring to commit rape.

Sanctuary for Mireille Mbimbo (Very urgent support needed)

Mireille Mbimbo a national of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and a resident of Bradford, is currently being held at Penine House Manchester STHC and due to be forcibly removed from the UK on Monday 15th February @ 19.00 on Kenya Airways flight KQ101, from Manchester to Nairobi for onward transit on flight KQ550 to Kinshasa.

Mireille  first sought asylum in the UK on 31st July 2008. She is a member of the political opposition group Mouvement de Libération du Congo (MLC) and fears for her life and her liberty if she is returned to DRC. Outstanding arrest warrants exist for both Mireille and her brother, as a result of their participation in demonstrations against the government.

World Report 2010 – Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

Human Rights Watch, Events of 2009

Violence and brutal human rights abuses increased in the Democratic Republic of Congo throughout 2009. Two military campaigns by the Congolese army, in the east and north, resulted in a dramatic increase in violence against civilians by both rebel and government forces. At least 2,500 civilians were slaughtered, over 7,000 women and girls were raped, and more than 1 million people were forced to flee their homes.

Impunity, already endemic, was further entrenched with the promotion of Bosco Ntaganda to the rank of general, despite a warrant for his arrest from the International Criminal Court. In July the government announced a policy of “zero tolerance” for human rights abuses committed by its soldiers, but only made a handful of arrests. Violent attacks against human rights defenders continued throughout the country.

“Violence against women and girls”

High levels of rape and other forms of sexual violence continued throughout the country, with a concentration in eastern DRC, where armed group fighters and government soldiers were the principal perpetrators. Many women and girls suffered gang rape, were raped more than once or were held in sexual slavery. Most victims did not receive medical or psycho-social care. The majority of rapists went unpunished and women and girls lived in fear of reprisals if they reported the rape or even sought medical treatment.” (Amnesty International Report 2009 – DR Congo)

It is almost certain that Mireille will face immediate arrest and ill-treatment if she is returned to DRC.

Whilst living in Bradford, Mireille has been a member of the BIASAN women’s group and the African Women’s Circle at Great Horton Methodist Church. She had just re-started English lessons and was keen to improve her language skills sufficient to be able to use the Business Diploma, which she had gained in the DRC, to ultimately gain employment and contribute to the country that has become her home.

What you can do to help / Please take urgent action now

1) Email/Fax/phone, Sam Okwulehie, Group Area Manager Kenya Airways and urge him not to carry out the forced removal of  Mireille Mbimbo – you can use the model fax ‘ Mireille MbimboKA.doc’ attached. You can copy, amend or write your own version – please quote,  Mireille Mbimbo to be forcibly removed from the UK on Monday 15th February @ 19.00 on Kenya Airways flight KQ101, from Manchester to Nairobi for onward transit on flight KQ550 to Kinshasa.

Email: contact@kenya-airways.com

Fax: 020 8745 5027 – from outside the UK + 44 20 8745 5027

Phone: 020 8759 7366 – from outside the UK + 44 20 8759 7366

2) Email/Fax, Rt. Hon. Alan Johnson MP Secretary of State for the Home Office asking that  Mireille Mbimbo, be granted protection in the UK. Attached “model letter” MireilleMbimboAJ.doc which you can copy/amend/write your own version (if you do so, please remember to include her HO ref M1375563 )

Fax: 020 8760 3132(00 44 20 8760 3132 if you are faxing from outside UK)

Emails: Privateoffice.external@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk

UKBApublicenquiries@UKBA.gsi.gov.uk

“CIT – Treat Official” <CITTO@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk>

Also see Democracy Now with Eve Ensler and Congolese Gynecologist Dr. Denis Mukwege.

Update: texts for model letters below-

Rt Hon Alan Johnson, MP
Secretary of State for the Home Office
3rd Floor, Peel Buildings
2 Marsham Street
London SW1 4DF
Privateoffice.external@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk ~ Fax 0208 760 3132/ +44 208 760 3132
Dear Mr. Johnson

Mireille Mbimbo, HO ref: M1375563, a national of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and a resident of Bradford, is currently being held Pennine House IRC and due to be forcibly removed from the UK on Monday 15th February @ 19.00 on Kenya Airways flight KQ101, from Manchester airport to Nairobi for onward transit on flight KQ550 to Kinshasa.

Mireille is a member of the political opposition group Mouvement de Libération du Congo (MLC) and fears for her life and her liberty if she is returned to DRC. Outstanding arrest warrants exist for both Mireille and her brother, as a result of their participation in demonstrations against the government.

Human Rights Watch, Events of 2009 – Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/4b586cf5c.html
Violence and brutal human rights abuses increased in the Democratic Republic of Congo throughout 2009. Two military campaigns by the Congolese army, in the east and north, resulted in a dramatic increase in violence against civilians by both rebel and government forces. At least 2,500 civilians were slaughtered, over 7,000 women and girls were raped, and more than 1 million people were forced to flee their homes.
Impunity, already endemic, was further entrenched with the promotion of Bosco Ntaganda to the rank of general, despite a warrant for his arrest from the International Criminal Court. In July the government announced a policy of “zero tolerance” for human rights abuses committed by its soldiers, but only made a handful of arrests. Violent attacks against human rights defenders continued throughout the country.

“Violence against women and girls
High levels of rape and other forms of sexual violence continued throughout the country, with a concentration in eastern DRC, where armed group fighters and government soldiers were the principal perpetrators. Many women and girls suffered gang rape, were raped more than once or were held in sexual slavery. Most victims did not receive medical or psycho-social care. The majority of rapists went unpunished and women and girls lived in fear of reprisals if they reported the rape or even sought medical treatment.” (Amnesty International Report 2009 – DR Congo)

It is almost certain that Mireille will face immediate arrest and ill-treatment if she is returned to DRC.

Whilst living in Bradford, Mireille has been a member of the BIASAN women’s group and the African Women’s Circle at Great Horton Methodist Church. She had just re-started English lessons and was keen to improve her language skills sufficient to be able to use the Business Diploma, which she had gained in the DRC, to ultimately gain employment and contribute to the country that has become her home.

Thank you for your taking the time to consider this plea for humanity to be shown to Mireille Mbimbo who could suffer untold misery and abuse if she is returned to DRC.
Please stay the removal of Mireille and review her case with a view to granting refugee protection.
Yours sincerely
Name:
Address:
City: Postcode: Country:
Date: E-mail: Phone:

Mr Sam Okwulehie
Kenya Airways
Bedfont Road
Staines
Middlesex
TW19 7NL
Fax: 020 8745 5027 Phone: 020 8759 7366 E-mail: contact@kenya-airways.com

Dear Mr. Okwulehie,

Mireille Mbimbo, a national of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and a resident of Bradford, is currently being held Pennine House IRC and due to be forcibly removed from the UK on Monday 15th February @ 19.00 on Kenya Airways flight KQ101, from Manchester airport to Nairobi for onward transit on flight KQ550 to Kinshasa.

Mireille is a member of the political opposition group Mouvement de Libération du Congo (MLC) and fears for her life and her liberty if she is returned to DRC. Outstanding arrest warrants exist for both Mireille and her brother, as a result of their participation in demonstrations against the government.

Human Rights Watch, Events of 2009 – Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/4b586cf5c.html
Violence and brutal human rights abuses increased in the Democratic Republic of Congo throughout 2009. Two military campaigns by the Congolese army, in the east and north, resulted in a dramatic increase in violence against civilians by both rebel and government forces. At least 2,500 civilians were slaughtered, over 7,000 women and girls were raped, and more than 1 million people were forced to flee their homes.
Impunity, already endemic, was further entrenched with the promotion of Bosco Ntaganda to the rank of general, despite a warrant for his arrest from the International Criminal Court. In July the government announced a policy of “zero tolerance” for human rights abuses committed by its soldiers, but only made a handful of arrests. Violent attacks against human rights defenders continued throughout the country.

“Violence against women and girls
High levels of rape and other forms of sexual violence continued throughout the country, with a concentration in eastern DRC, where armed group fighters and government soldiers were the principal perpetrators. Many women and girls suffered gang rape, were raped more than once or were held in sexual slavery. Most victims did not receive medical or psycho-social care. The majority of rapists went unpunished and women and girls lived in fear of reprisals if they reported the rape or even sought medical treatment.” (Amnesty International Report 2009 – DR Congo)

It is almost certain that Mireille will face immediate arrest and ill-treatment if she is returned to DRC.

Whilst living in Bradford, Mireille has been a member of the BIASAN women’s group and the African Women’s Circle at Great Horton Methodist Church. She had just re-started English lessons and was keen to improve her language skills sufficient to be able to use the Business Diploma, which she had gained in the DRC, to ultimately gain employment and contribute to the country that has become her home.

I am requesting that your airline refrains from the business of willingly transporting passengers to situations that endanger their lives. Mireille is a vulnerable woman who is at high risk of being abused by the authorities who may be determined to punish her for her political beliefs and affiliations. The police force, due to their corruption and allegiances will not be able to guarantee Mireille’s safety, which means her human rights are still at great risk if returned.

Thank you for your taking the time to consider this plea for humanity to be shown to Mireille Mbimbo who could suffer untold misery and abuse if she is returned to DRC.
Yours sincerely
Name:
Address:
City: Postcode: Country:
Date: E-mail: Phone: