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Help Jonathan Kazembe stay in England

Help Jonathan Kazembe stay in England

124 signatures 126 to reach 250
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Lorna a. signed
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jan z. signed
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Sarah S. signed
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Claire E. signed
Started by Anonymous 18 years, 1 month ago
Home office reference number K1197791 PLEASE LET ME STAY Jonathan Kazembe 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, blamed by other tribes for bringing instability to the region. Things got worse when Jonathan joined a humanitarian organization in 2002 and fought, with others, to stop the conscription of child soldiers by both rebel (R.C.D.) 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. Also 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 as one of the family ever since. He is active doing voluntary work in the community, where he has a great deal of support. Jonathan is still severely traumatized 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. Jonathan does want to return home to his family in the Congo but only when it is safe for him to do so. This would deny Jonathan justice and deprive the community of a loved and valued member. We the undersigned call upon the Secretary of State to reconsider Jonathan\'s case and give him leave to remain.

Updates

August 7, 2009

I am currently compiling the new evidence required for Jonathan to file a fresh asylum claim. The testimonies provided by those who know him in Glossop continue to be vital to this process.

August 7, 2009

The public response to this petition has grown substantially in recent days. Your collective engagement demonstrates a clear consensus that Jonathan deserves a fair opportunity to remain in England. We are now preparing the next steps to ensure these concerns reach the officials responsible for his case.

Reached 100 supporters

August 7, 2009

6 Comments

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James Hardy
18 years ago Featured

Total incompetence by the immigration people. Fix this.

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Sarah Hall
18 years ago Featured

This is just wrong. Jonathan is doing good work teaching kids and he has a whole community here that loves him. Let the man stay leave him alone.

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Chloe Liu
18 years ago Featured

He has been through enough already. Glossop is his home now.

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Mark Reddy
18 years ago Featured

UNBELIEVABLE. Sending someone back to be tortured is not who we are. Stop this madness.

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Linda Huang
18 years ago Featured

My kids go to his school and he is brilliant. We need more teachers like him in this country not less!

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Dave Petersen
18 years ago Featured

The home office is a joke. 15 years and they still want to kick him out? let him be he belongs here now.

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