UNION
POUR LA DÉMOCRATIE
ET LE PROGRÈS SOCIAL

Issuance of Affidavits and Supportive Documents to UDPS Asylum Seekers

PRESS RELEASE

Ref: UDPS/USA/CF/NBKZ/001-10/99

October 25, 1999

Congolese refugees fleeing torture, intimidation, sequestration, hostage-taking, kidnapping, arbitrary detention, summary execution, and wars from government territories as well as rebels' occupied zones in the Democratic Republic of Congo, land every day in foreign countries. Every one has his/her own motive. Foreign immigration services are interested in particularities especially for those coming from government held territories in their search for asylum. Anyone who has confronted these services knows how difficulty is the process.

Accordingly, the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS), one of the most persecuted political parties in Congo, in both areas under Kabila government and under the rebels, has made some arrangements to ease the process for its followers who have succeeded to escape this new brutal dictatorship as well the foreign-backed, armed opposition forces. Headcount is taken, counseling provided, and referral made to appropriate services of immigration. Some UDPS members who have been abroad before both rebellions can't return home because of the fear due to the widespread persecution that the Party is going through. Fresh in our memory is the case of several UDPS officials from the Federation of UDPS in the Shaba Province who have been brutally arrested and jailed last month. One of UDPS militant from South Africa, Mr. Jean Kudinga told us how he had almost lost his life when he landed back in his homeland just because he belongs to UDPS abroad. As of this writing, credible sources have reported several meetings held very recently in the Shaba Province in the context of a secret plot to assassinate Dr. Etienne Tshisekedi, the National President of UDPS. There are so many cases showing that a member of UDPS from overseas is not welcome in Congo. UDPS members abroad should be proud of themselves and enjoy referral services they have on foreign soil to solve their immigration problems. It is a gift of God.

However, some people have taken this gratitude for granted. Certain big shot AFDL/CPP members have invaded UDPS offices abroad to apply for referrals. While UDPS is a party of free adhesion, some of these ingrates, after being served, continue to make statements pounding UDPS and its leaders in their inner circle as well as in public forums. They are together UDPS and AFDL/CPP carrying card members. They cannot have it both ways.

The last UDPS/USA convention that took place in Atlanta, Georgia (July, 30- 31, 1999) has reviewed this situation and has made very strict decisions on this issue. Only two chosen UDPS officials have the authority and mandate to make referrals to the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). The Federal President of UDPS/USA has been given the power to discourage any old practices up to write to the INS against cases of abuses. All receipts would be registered at the President's office for better coordination. Any unknown receipt, without UDPS/USA serial number would be taken as suspicious and rejected. Even if a member has been registered in another country, he/she has to make his/her presence known in the United States by registering at almost no cost provided that his/her membership can be proven.

To comply with the decisions taken at our last UDPS Convention in Atlanta (July 30-31, 1999) regarding all cases of asylum seekers who claim to be UDPS followers or members, the Federation of UDPS/USA has enacted a new policy to govern the issuance of affidavits and supportive documents to UDPS asylum seekers.

From now on, any statement (affidavit) in favor of such asylum seekers will be issued only by the Federal President of UDPS and will also be cosigned by the UDPS Representative in the United States. Nobody else has the right to issue such supportive materials. Those who used to issue such documents in the past in the various sections of UDPS in the United States of America, have been instructed to no longer issue any affidavit. A letter has been sent to inform all the branches of the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) about this new policy. The UDPS Federation has initiated this policy to expedite the process in favor of our members and to stamp out some abuses that have been reported in the context of the previous mechanism.

Accordingly, the Federation of UDPS/USA urges any UDPS asylum seekers and any lawyers providing legal assistance to those claiming to be UDPS members to get in touch with the Federal President as soon as possible and to forward any materials to support their claims. The evidence should include, but should not be limited to : - a narrative of their whole situation with a clear indication of their involvement in UDPS activities; and - valid receipts of payment of their dues to the UDPS (USA) for at least twenty four months.

If they have not paid their dues during all these months, it would be advisable that they do so by sending a money order payable to the UDPS USA Federation for the amount of $240 ($10 per month for 24 months). They should also send a passport photo and $50 to enable the Federation to issue an official membership card. A processing fee of $50 is also required. The entire application should be sent to the following address:

UDPS- USA Federation
Attn: Dr. Ngoyi Bukonda
P.O. Box 193
DeKalb, IL 60115, USA

Once the request is reviewed and approved, the Federation of UDPS/USA will issue the necessary affidavit and a membership card to support their cases.

People have died for UDPS, some have become orphans and widows because their loved ones had been killed by Mobutus or Kabila's regime, and their cronies. Several have lost all their properties because of belonging to UDPS. Others, until today, even though they gain nothing in exchange of their work for UDPS, continue to spend their fortune to support the party. All that cannot be taken for granted. It is our hope to see our members and their families taking advantage of UDPS services abroad to reward their sufferings.

The Federation of UDPS/USA is however determined to stamp out abuses that have been reported in the context of the previous mechanism including but not limited to, members of AFDL/CPP engaging in tempering and in lies to get access to UDPS services abroad. These ingrates are telling people how the country is so good, well managed by their leader. Still, instead of going back to the country in question, they have decided to drag their feet abroad by abusing UDPS services for their own advantage. We have to put an end to this treacherous behaviors. These ingrates have to choose between the murderous reign of terror they are cherishing and the party that has dedicated its entire existing for peace, democracy, and development.

The Federation of UDPS/USA hopes these clear guidelines will be helpful to true UDPS asylum seekers while preventing liars and political prostitutes from unduly taking advantage of its assistance.

For the FEDERAL COMMITTEE OF UDPS/USA,

Dr. Ngoyi K. Zacharie Bukonda

Federal President