Refugee is feared dead after being deported to Congo
A refugee who was deported back to his native country, despite claiming he would be executed, is feared dead.
Constant Moussavou was sent back to Congo, in central Africa, on September 13, after a lengthy appeal to remain in his new home of Leicester.
-
Constant Moussavou was deported in September
Now – almost four months later – church leaders and civil rights campaigners believe he has been killed.
The 34-year-old fled to the UK on a forged French passport in 2003, telling British authorities he would be hanged for his political views if he stayed in his homeland.
He claimed both his sisters were murdered in Congo by the government because of his beliefs. In the UK, he volunteered as a street pastor and was a member of Leicester's St Margaret's Church.
Despite an appeal, the Home Office refused to allow him to stay.
The Diocese of Leicester, which led his appeal, now fears the worst.
Representatives have spoken on a number of occasions with the Archbishop of Congo, the Congolese Anglican Church and the Congolese embassy in Paris, but nobody can say where he is.
Peter Yates, director of social responsibility for the diocese, said the church in Congo has not been in contact with Constant since he left the UK.
He said: "We've tried all the avenues available to us through the church and our other contacts in Congo. Sadly, we've not been able to find any evidence that he even exists. It's extremely worrying and very sad news.
"It makes one realise our initial concerns could well have been proved right.
"You would have thought it was certain he would have been arrested on his arrival in Africa, but the embassy has refused to tell us anything.
"I hope he has been arrested and imprisoned and not just disposed of.
"I'm aware that in countries such as this people can vanish and turn up dead. It seems our concerns were valid and there are grave concerns over his welfare.
"I think it would be very difficult to come up with a realistic outcome other than he is in serious trouble, or worse – dead."
Priya Thamotheram, chairman of the Leicester Civil Rights Movement, which also campaigned to keep Constant in the UK, said the Home Office was to blame.
He said: "We alerted the Home Office to the likely consequences of his return to Congo in light of what he had experienced before fleeing to England.
"If our fears were to be realised, and I think they probably have been, then the Home Office has his blood on its hands.
"If he was alive then we would have heard about his state. But the fact we know nothing despite all our efforts is worrying."
Amnesty International said it had concerns about the Republic of Congo's human rights record.
A UK Border Agency spokesman said: "Constant Moussavou was removed from the UK after all of his many applications to stay were considered by specialist caseworkers and independent courts who decided he had no grounds to remain in this country."
23 Comments
View all
by Anon, Leic
Tuesday, January 12 2010, 2:56PM
“Rosusa, Don't use the word racist too quickly. I do not believe the comments in this story are to do with this persons race, they are to do with what is legal and what is illegal. They are to do with what an indepent court have decided. Just because some people have put their faith in the decision made, you call them racists.
Unfortunately I think a lot of issues arise by people who are not racists, being called racist. Before you call me a racist, My spouse is of a different racial background, as are almost half of my family. The difference is, they have a legal right to live here and they have not broken the law. That's the issue. Don't make things worse or else you may push more people towards the BNP!!!!”
by Rosusa, Brighton, UK
Tuesday, January 12 2010, 12:27PM
“I see the racists are out in force ref this discussion. Reminds me of the Daily Mail and the BNP all wrapped up in one nasty little package. I wonder how our little "not in my own back yard" racists would feel if they had to flee percecution and got the same treatment. I suspect they would be weaping and wailing with the best of them.”
by Marion Walter, Canterbury
Tuesday, January 12 2010, 10:55AM
“Readers note: 1. Asylum seekers have no right to work, but may be allowed to volunteer.
2. re coming here illegally, if he is a wanted man in his country, he can hardly go to the authorities and ask for a passport.
3. From the evidence I read, it seemed he had a well-founded fear of persecution and he should have been given sanctuary.
4. Those who come here for sanctuary are a tiny minority compared to those who come here with a valid visa and passport to join relatives, and visit, study and work.”
by Anon, Leic
Monday, January 11 2010, 3:50PM
“Question for dodgite Leicester: Where in this article does it say he is an honest hard working man? It says he was a street pastor and was a member of a church???? I could not see where it says he has a job or how he earned his money to pay for his new home in Leicester. I feel not just for this man, but for the thousands of people who are in poor or ill run countries, however that does not mean that everyone can live in England.
My second comment is for the chairman of the Leicester Civil Rights Movement. I think what you have said is awful and nasty. People are given jobs and have to judge these cases, to blame them for something that may not have even happened is disgusting and unfair. Out of all of the comments that I have read in the story and left by people, yours is the most upsetting and I think you should make an apology. Blaming someone for the death of another human being is a strong accusation, and I do not believe you should be able to do this just because you do not agree with the decision made by a specialist caseworker and independent court.
My last comment is to say that I hope he is ok, but lets not start picking on every decision that the govenment have to make without the full details, we are not in their shoes and I am sure it is not easy for them. Do we print stories about all of the people's who's lives have been saved by the people that make these decisions? Very one sided, as are most of the stories now a days, these stories are just here to cause a reaction, nothing more.”
by james, london
Monday, January 11 2010, 3:42PM
“If this guy wasn't religious the church wouldn't care. Look after your own, that's their motto - is it the motto of the goverbnebt?
If this guy can get illegally to england what's to say he can't escape again?
I fear he may have been a victim of the lies of his own people, thousands come to this country and lie about these things, if they didn't the real victims might get a chance.”