The VOICE Forum Refugee Congress
6th to 10th December 2001
Josef-Gockeln-Str. 9, Düsseldorf-Golzheim

FREE ALL POLITICAL PRISONERS
ASYLUM IS A HUMAN RIGHT

Political situation and human rights abuses in the home countries of refugees in Germany

Torture of political prisoners and critics in Cameroon and Guinea

State suppression and execution of political prisoners in Cameroon:

Cameroon has been ruled for over 18 years by a corrupt dictatorship under Paul Biya Routine repression and extra judicial execution of critics and opponents. Thousands of opponents of his regime including human rights activists have either been killed, jailed or forced into exile.

The Despotic regime in Guinea Conakry: The rule of Lansana Conte for over 17 years, resistant to any political consultation and dialogue and who has no interest in the social well being of the Guinean people has cost the lives of thousands of his opponents. A prominent victim of the system has been invited to present the Guinea case.

The problems of the refugee countries are still isolated and ignored as much as the problems of the refugees that are here in exile. People who fight for socio-political justice, and liberation are persecuted, tortured and killed all over the world.

The politically corrupt collaboration of western countries with the dictatorial regimes have hindered to acknowledge public opinion and resistance of those affected with the human rights abuses in their countries and in the western states. The struggle for social justice is undermined and sabotaged with the divide and rule policies of the imperialist order. This order seeks to maintain political and economic dominance through unequitable distribution of wealth, the source of social tension.

The solidarity actions against human rights abuses, the destruction of the environment and the persecution of! the activists in the countries of the refugees are unreported by the media, non-governmental organisations NGOs, the international community and the politicians because of hostile western economic interest. The neo-colonial strategies of the western countries to suppress the prisoners political struggle and their resistance for the social responsibilities of their states and for progressive development towards equality, exposes the corrupt collaboration and hidden agendas of western countries to dominate in the refugee countries.

The struggle of the political prisoners can only continue when we support the prisoners themselves who are confined in the resistance.

We are to unite our resistance with those left behind. Supporting the resistance of political prisoners is being in the resistance itself.

Referent speakers: refugees, human rights activists and lawyers of political prisoners are invited to speak about the situation in following countries:

The Genocide and Western Exploitation in Congo Kinshasa: Millions of people have been killed, maimed by the western sponsored conflict for the exploitation of the resources in Congo. The Congolese people are yet to choose their legitimate government to represent their interest.

The Industrial sponsored war in Angola: Since the struggle between the communist and the capitalist for the control of Angola, 25 years of war has completely ruined the country. Landmines have maimed thousands and opponents of the war of exploitation remain victims of the system.

Demonstration
Saturday, 8th December 2001
12:00 (noon)
Gustaf-Gründgens-Platz
Düsseldorf

Free all political prisoners, Asylum is a human right! Stop all deportation, Free movement for all!!

Workshops:

Different workshops and working groups will deliberate on the situation of political prisoners and persecutions in other countries like:

Guinea Conarkry, Togo, Cameroon, Nigeria, Congo Zaire, Congo Brazaville, Niger, Algeria, Sierria Leone, Angola, Sudan, Rwanda, Iran, Sri-lanka, Columbia, Turkey and Nepal

Information on the longest mass hungerstrike of political prisoners in Turkey.

There will be working group and discussion about neo-colonial globalisation and the Imperialist order with focus on Plan Colombia (Latin America), Sri-Lanka (Asia) and Afghanistan.

The Situation of Refugees in Deportation Prisons and racist policies in Germany will be discussed, with special reference to the inhuman deportation prisons and the Apartheid residential restriction law "Residenzpflicht" for refugees in Germany. Refugees in Germany are confined to local districts, and restricted to controls in the camps for deportation.

Refugees are not only persecuted and tortured in the deportation process, but they can also be deported to countries where they are at risk of persecution, murder and disappearances.

There will be a working group on the Freedom of movement -against "Residenzpflicht" and the Caravan for the rights of refugees and migrants in Germany "without borders": The VOICE Refugee Forum worked with the International Menschenrechtsverein Bremen who initiated in 1998, The Caravan for the Rights of Refugees and Migrants protest tour in 44 cities and towns with discussions and demonstrations under the motto "We have no vote but we have a VOICE" in Germany.

Refugees, Human rights activists, Critics, ex-prisoners of conscience and Lawyers of the political prisoners have been invited from the countries of the refugees to the Congress.

Conferences, Workshops, Working groups, Discussions, Concert, Theatre and Rally will take place.

Cultural program:

• Concert and Music
• Theatre of „The Mountain Mourners" from the „Southern Cameroon“
• Bongo Blues Percussion
• Reading and Poems
  

Support:

Refugees do not have the money to finance this congress or to pay participation fees, donations are absolutely necessary. The most urgent need is to finance busses and other means of transportation because without this refugees will not be able to participate. To organise the congress money is needed. Refugees from all German States have already indicated interest to participate. Also groups are in contact with asylum camps in Thuringen, Hessen, Rheine Mainz, Niedersachen, Hamburg, Sachen, Sachen-Anhalt, Bayern, Baden-Wüttemberg and Nord Rhein Wesphalia.

Solidarity Donation:
Zapata e.V., Verwendungszweck: Human Rights Week, Nr. 802217467, BLZ: 44010046, Postbank Dortmund