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Glossop
in the High Peak
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The community web site for
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in the High Peak
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'Please let me stay'
The case of Jonathan Kazembe, an asylum seeker from the Democratic Republic of Congo, was first raised by David Jones in the Glossop Chronicle of Thursday, May 22, 2008. Jonathan is a trainee teacher from Kirumba-Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He has suffered harassment and discrimination as a member of the Banyamulenge tribe. Things got worse when Jonathan joined a humanitarian organisation in 2002 and fought, with others, to stop the conscription of child soldiers by both rebel and government forces. Soldiers would march into the school and seize boys as young as eight years, giving them guns and sending them to fight and kill. After protesting Jonathan was captured by rebels, thrown into a make-shift jail, interrogated and tortured. Friends got him out of jail but they soon realized Jonathan must flee the country. He arrived at Heathrow in January 2005. Jonathan's first asylum claim failed. He was not given the help of a Swahili interpreter and did not fully understand what was going on. He was moved from London to Ashton-under-Lyne part way through the process. Communication was by mobile telephone from then on. Two appeals were not upheld but the judge on the second occasion said that "It would be inhumane to send him back" at that time and that he might be allowed to make a fresh asylum claim for which new evidence would be required. However Jonathan was then made homeless and destitute until taken in by a family in Glossop, where he has lived ever since. He is active doing voluntary work in the community - with The Lift Global Music Club and at Bradbury Community House - where he has a great deal of support. Jonathan is still severely traumatised by his experiences and has been receiving regular counseling at the Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture since November 2007. Gathering fresh evidence has been hindered by Jonathan's mental distress, and by the recurrent anxiety about Home Office interviews, but progress is being made and a fresh claim is being prepared by specialist immigration solicitors. Despite this there is evidence that the Home Office is seeking to prepare documents for Jonathan's removal before the claim can be considered. This would deny Jonathan justice and deprive the community of a loved and valued member. The Lift Global Music Club has set up a petition to support Jonathan here.  Jonathan led Glossop's first anti-deportation
march on Saturday, July 12, from St Luke's Church on Fauvel Road to
Norfolk Square, where he was supported by a crowd of hundreds. He says: "It's
not just about letting me
stay here, it's also to raise awareness of what's going on in other
parts of the world – child soldiers and other issues." |
 The Lift Global Music Club's petition  We back asylum campaign - Glossop Advertiser, Wednesday, June 4  Volunteers plea to let Jonathan stay - Glossop Advertiser, June 11 Fight for me, Ricky - Glossop Chronicle, June 12 Hundreds march to save Jonathan - Glossop Advertiser, July 17 On the march - Glossop Chronicle, July 17 |
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