Written question asked by Jeremy Corbyn (Labour) on Thursday, 9 July 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 14 July 2009. It was answered by Phil Woolas (Labour) on Thursday, 16 July 2009 on behalf of the Home Office.

Deportation: Democratic Republic of Congo

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what reports his Department has received on the safety of deportees removed to the Democratic Republic of Congo in the last two years.

Answer: [holding answer 14 July 2009]: The UK Border Agency continually monitors the situation in asylum claimants' countries of origin by making reference to a wide range of authoritative, publicly available sources.In addition, the UK Border Agency works closely with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to ensure that it has the best available information. The British embassy in Kinshasa speaks regularly with a network of local contacts about the treatment of failed asylum seekers on return to the Democratic Republic of Congo and will make inquiries about any specific allegations that arise. This network includes Congolese non-governmental organisations, Congolese civil servants and Government Ministers, and colleagues from other embassies in Kinshasa.

Secondary information