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COMMUNIQUÉ

ISSUED FROM

THE MEETINGS HELD BY AFRICAN COMMUNITY LEADERS IN CHINA ON THE 19 TH AND 20 TH APRIL 2008 IN GUANGZHOU

The Leaders of African Communities in China held consultative meetings on the 19 th and 20 th April 2008 in Guangzhou to assess the harsh immigration policies recently implemented by the Chinese authorities on African residents and immigrants, and consequently, evaluate the attendant impact of these policies on the well-being, safety and security of our people in China .

It is worth remembering that African countries have been the traditional friends of China during the difficult days of the Cold War, and still are today. African nations' active role and support of the People's Republic of China in the Non-Aligned Movement and at the United Nations led to this country taking its rightful place as a member of the United Nations and a Permanent Member of the UN Security Council. But the recent developments that are the daily chores of Africans in China today point to a reassessment of this observation.

We list here below some of the facts:

•  There is the recent consistent refusal to issue or renew visas, residence permits and work permits to immigrants and residents from various African countries living in China . If people are lucky, they are given terribly short-timed visas allowing them only 3 or 4 days to leave the country. If for any reason, one fails to go, it is immediately the prison that awaits him.

•  There is the refusal of visas to registered African investors, and or the revoking of visas and resident permits of Africans with standing order to leave the country within 4 or 5 days. Some African investors have registered in China trading companies of substantial capital, but were refused residence visas and work permits to enable them to operate their companies.

•  There is the refusal of visas to family members (wives and children) of Africans already holding Chinese resident permits or work permits, thereby denying them the fundamental right to join as one family. A case in hand is an African lady stranded in Macau because she was refused a visa to rejoin her husband in Guangzhou .

•  There is the issue of Africans who went to renew their China visas in Hong Kong and Macau , who were refused visas and are now stranded there. This issue in particular needs extremely urgent attention as most of these people are without resources there and cannot go back to Africa at such short notice . The various community heads are recording the people in such a situation and need the pressing assistance of the Embassies to find an adequate solution to their plight so as to prevent human disaster. Large numbers of Africans, sometimes whole families, are today languishing in miserable conditions in Hong Kong and Macau .

•  The rise in the rate of repatriation of Africans is so alarming that communities are unable to cope, especially with the social problems associated with the abrupt refusal of visas or their extension, all without a clear official reason.

•  There are cases of African pregnant women who were refused exit visas to go home for child birth. Some pregnant women already admitted in hospital are refused visa extension to enable them to safely deliver their child. Sick people under medical care are refused visa extension.

•  There is the incessant raiding and arrest of Africans in their homes by night and subsequent indefinite detention. At this time over 400 Africans are languishing in detention for minor immigration offences.

•  There is the case of Africans who wish to return to their home countries out of their own volition and are refused exit visas. They are told that they must be imprisoned first then pay a fine before being sent back. This has caused the death of some Africans who needed to go back home for better medical attention. We have it in good authority that dead bodies of two Africans are now laying in hospital mortuaries in China .

In view of the foregoing, we ardently appeal to all African Ambassadors in China to come to our aid to restore our people's human dignity. This appeal also goes to the Foreign Affairs Ministers of all African countries who by the same token should seek to know if China does not want any Africans on its soil, then we should be told so, and be given decent time to leave .

It is only right that our Governments urgently consult with the Chinese authorities at the highest level on this burning issue so as to avoid a human crisis, and maintain the cordial relationship that has always existed between African Nations and the People's Republic of China .

Africans residents in China will always do their utmost to respect Chinese laws, but require that their fundamental human rights be respected as well. If the Chinese authorities do not want Africans on their soil, we request that all people asked to leave be given 30 days to quit . Each community will ensure that this period is respected by all.

This is a “SAVE OUR SOULS” message from Africans in China to our home governments delivered through our Diplomatic Missions in China .

THANKS TO ALL FOR THE PATRIOTIC CONCERN AND COOPERATION.

THE AFRICAN COMMUNITY LEADERS IN CHINA