Written question asked by Robert Goodwill (Conservative) on Monday, 1 June 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 4 June 2009. It was answered by Phil Woolas (Labour) on Monday, 15 June 2009 on behalf of the Home Office.

Asylum: Democratic Republic of Congo

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures are in place to monitor the safety of asylum seekers returned to the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Answer: [holding answer 4 June 2009]: The UK Border Agency only enforces the return of individuals to the Democratic Republic of Congo whom we, and the courts, are satisfied are not in need of protection and who do not elect to leave voluntarily.The Court of Appeal's decision in December 2008 upheld the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal's finding that failed asylum seekers are not at risk on return to the Democratic Republic of Congo simply because they have claimed asylum.The returns policy is kept under review for countries where we make returns. The UK Border Agency does not routinely monitor the treatment of individual unsuccessful asylum seekers once they are removed from the UK. However, we investigate, in partnership with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, if specific allegations are made that any returnee, to any country, has experienced ill-treatment on return from the UK.

Secondary information