DEPORTATIONS TO THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

Early day motion 814, tabled 23 February 2009 by Rudi Vis (Labour). Signed by 54 members.

That this House believes that in spite of the decision made by immigration judges to refuse to accept the compelling evidence of ill-treatment of asylum seekers who are forcibly returned to the Democratic Republic of Congo in the recent Country Guidance case, there is information from reliable sources demonstrating that there is very real persecution by the security services at the behest of President Kabila himself of anyone perceived to be in opposition to his regime, including arrest, torture and extrajudicial execution, particularly in the Kinshasa, Bas-Congo and Equateur areas; further believes that asylum seekers sent back from the UK will be viewed as political dissidents and that their physical integrity will be at risk if deported; and further believes that given the gravely unstable conditions in the country as a whole, the appalling human rights record and the fact that average life expectancy is below 40 years old, there should be an immediate moratorium on forced returns to that country.

Signatures by party: Labour 27, Liberal Democrat 20, Independent 2, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2, Conservative 1, Independent Labour 1, Scottish National Party 1.