It is impossible not to be moved as Paul Kazadi explains why he and his family fled the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). They were seized from their home because Paul’s brother is a leading member of an opposition group which calls for independence for the region of Katanga.

The Kazadis were physically and psychologically tortured in an attempt to make them confess to trumped-up charges of planning a coup against the government. They managed to escape and after an extremely difficult journey arrived in Northern Ireland in 2005.

However, Paul, his wife and his daughter, who was born in Belfast, are now being threatened with deportation to the DRC. The British government berates nations that it sees as hostile to its interests, such as Iran, for its human rights abuses, but the fact that the Home Office is willing to send people back to countries where their lives are at risk shows their own lack of concern for humanity.

In December, Paul had his work permit revoked and lost his job with Stena Line. For the past five months, the Kazadis have lived hand-to-mouth, relying on charity. The conditions they faced put pain to the lie that asylum seekers receive huge support from the state.

The government and the right-wing media whip up anti-immigrant and asylum seeker sentiment to scapegoat them for the failures of capitalism to provide for working class people. All socialists, trade unionists and workers must defend the rights of asylum seekers, and seek to build unity with immigrant workers in a struggle for our common interests. To help with the Kazadis campaign contact Cassie on 07745724703.