wfn.org | NCCCUSA APPEALS ON TOGO REFUGEE'S BEHALF, OFFERS SPONSORSHIP

[CAROL_FOUKE.parti@ecunet.org]

National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.
Contact: Carol J. Fouke, 212-870-2252
Internet: carol_fouke.parti@ecunet.org

41NCC4/24/96                FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NCCCUSA APPEALS TO RENO ON FAUZIYA KASINGA'S ASYLUM REQUEST,
OFFERS SPONSORSHIP TO MS. KASINGA, A REFUGEE FROM TOGO

 NEW YORK, April 24 ---- The General Secretary
of the National Council of the Churches of Christ
in the U.S.A. (NCC), the Rev. Dr.
Joan Brown Campbell, sent the following appeal to
Attorney General Janet Reno, Department of Justice,
Washington, D.C., late yesterday:

"I am writing to ask you to parole Fauziya Kasinga
into the United States.  The National Council of
Churches, through its relief, refugee assistance and
development arm, Church World Service, is prepared
to place Ms. Kasinga with a church sponsor who will
ensure that she is treated with compassion and
dignity and enabled to become a productive member of
our society.

"We were appalled to read of Ms. Kasinga's
experiences -- flight from Togo, detention for two
years in the U.S., and inadequate counsel in
preparation of her asylum claim.  The United States
has a proud history of offering refuge to those
fleeing persecution. The case of Ms. Kasinga
illustrates how far we have fallen from that ideal.
The NCC has received many phone calls from church
members expressing concern and outrage at the
treatment of Ms. Kasinga.

"We are also deeply worried about provisions for
summary exclusion in pending legislation which will
mean that asylum-seekers whose documents are not in
order will routinely be turned back at U.S. ports of
entry.  We know that it is impossible for many
fearing persecution to escape from their countries
with valid passports and visas.

"As you probably know, in the face of legislative
challenges thousands of churches across the country
have mobilized to preserve your right to grant
humanitarian parole.  The case of Ms. Kasinga seems
clearly to be the kind of individual for whom parole
is intended.  We urge you to use your authority to
parole Ms. Kasinga into the United States.  We are
prepared to offer Ms. Kasinga the kind of support
she needs to begin a new life in the U.S. -- safe
from the threat of genital mutilation and an
arranged marriage."

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