The "Sans=Papiers" in France have now been fighting for more than two
years to obtain legal residence papers from successive French
governments. Demonstrations, occupations and hunger strikes have
continued in support of their demand for recognition of their basic
rights to escape from the shadows of illegality, where they have been
consigned by xenophobic laws, and to live and work in dignity.
The election of a left-of-centre government last year kindled
considerable hope among the Sans-Papiers. However, despite the
pre-election promises, the new Prime Minister, Mr Jospin, has not
abolished the previous government's sinister "Pasqua Laws" on
immigration, whilst new laws of similar inspiration have now been
adopted by this so-called "left-wing" government. Half of the 120,000
Sans-Papiers who came forward at the government's invitation to submit
formal applications for regularisation have been given a provisional
residence permit for one year, whereas the other half has been rejected
and forced back into illegality, at the mercy of the police, who now
know their names and addresses.
Tens of thousands of other Sans-Papiers who had not put any trust in the
"case-by-case" regularisation process established by the Jospin
government are also at the mercy of repression and deportation. The fate
reserved to all these undocumented immigrants in France can be seen at
its most sinister in the prison sentence imposed on Diawara.
Below is the Solidarity Appeal issued by the Diawara Committee:
DIAWARA, SENTENCED AS AN EXAMPLE TO OTHERS
On November 26th, 1998, obeying the policy of firmness laid down by the
Prime Minister, Lionel JOSPIN, a French court passed a sentence intended
to serve as example. Sirine DIAWARA was sentenced to one year in prison
and was promptly arrested on the spot, in the courthouse itself. In
March 1998, he and his comrades had occupied the Churches of Notre-Dame
de la Gare and Saint-Jean de Montmartre in Paris in support of their
demand for legal residence papers. He was one of the undocumented
immigrants arrested at random after the occupation. At the time of his
deportation by plane, a number of other passengers protested and
demonstrated their solidarity until they succeeded in having him taken
off the plane.
HIS CRIMES ?
- He had struggled to have the French authorities recognise his right to
live and work in France ;
- He had benefited from the solidarity of the passengers on the plane
that was meant to deport him to Bamako.
FREE DIAWARA NOW !
Yes, Sirine DIAWARA is an example.
An example of the unrelenting repression suffered by all "paperless"
foreigners in France and Europe.
An example for all those who struggle for the respect of human rights in
France and for equal access to these rights for all.
An example, because the latest law by Interior Minister Mr Chev�nement
strikes at us all, whether we are "sans-papiers" or supporters fighting
by their side for the regularisation of all undocumented immigrants and
against deportations.
An example, because the sentencing of DIAWARA is an attempt to break the
chain of solidarity and to prevent unity in the struggle.
For these reasons, we are launching an appeal for mobilisation in order
to obtain the liberation of Sirine DIAWARA and all his "paperless"
comrades.
December 7th, 1998
Name First name Address
Against racism and the xenophobia of state,
We call for civil disobedience and solidarity in our struggle!
Please return the petition to:
Comit� Diawara
C/O Librairie Le Point du Jour, 58 rue Gay Lussac, Paris 75005, France
Or by e-mail to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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