– My connection to Norway is primarily that I survived. That I survived more than anyone can imagine. That’s what Janai Kagofero says. In 2016, he was forcibly returned to the Democratic Republic of the Congo where he was subjected to torture and inhumane treatment. In August last year, he was allowed to return to Norway, after the Norwegian authorities paid for his return journey. The man’s lawyer now demands that Kagofero, who has three children in Norway, be granted a residence permit without restrictions. – I avoided death, but was subjected to massive torture in the form of electric shocks to the body every morning and evening. They also tried to pull out my nails, says Kagofero. He says he was subjected to various forms of torture and near-executions during the first year he was imprisoned in his home country. Forcedly returned after ten years in Norway The 46-year-old, who is an ethnic Tutsi from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, has a military background and is referred to as a general. In 2006 he came to Norway where he applied for asylum because he feared persecution due to his association with a rebel group in the country. His application was rejected because the authorities believed there was no real danger of persecution. In 2016, he was returned to the Congo, despite repeated warnings from his lawyer: – It was strange, and I was very shocked that Norway, which is referred to as a humanitarian power, could deport me, he says. In the Congo, he was first imprisoned by the secret police, before being transferred to Ndolo prison in the capital Kinshasa, the same prison that the Norwegians Moland and French served time in. VG has previously discussed the case in connection with a judgment handed down by the Oslo District Court against the Immigration Service in 2019. Referred to live in reception Trygve Tveter is Kagofero’s lawyer, and is strongly critical of the Norwegian authorities’ treatment of the man. – A lot can be said in this case, but the fact that Kagofero has been given a permit with such restrictions, which means that today it is planned that he will live in an asylum reception center for the rest of his life, it is almost unbelievable! STRONGLY CRITICAL: Trygve Tveter is strongly critical of the Norwegian authorities’ treatment of the man, and believes it is incomprehensible that he does not get a residence permit without restrictions. Photo: Kristine Næss Larsen He says he warned against returning the man to the Congo through several conversion petitions. He reacts strongly to the fact that Kagofero now only has a limited residence permit that does not give the right to housing or work. – When it is entirely possible to give him a completely normal residence permit with all rights, and consideration for the children must be decisive. And in this case it is the consideration of the children, that they can get their dad back after six years, that is one of the very important aspects of this case. But in a decision from November this year, the Immigration Board writes that: “When assessing whether the permit should be restricted, consideration for the complainant’s children in Norway is considered. UNE cannot see that consideration of the child’s best interests in this case can be given decisive weight when assessing whether the permission should be limited, taking the other circumstances of the case into account.” UNE apologizes – I would like to apologize. It is deeply regrettable that he was subjected to torture and inhumane treatment in prison, it is something that no one should be subjected to. That’s what Georg Magne Rønnevig, who is head of unit at the Immigration Board, says. He regrets that Kagofero was subjected to torture, but at the same time believes that the tribunal cannot be blamed for this alone. – It is deeply regrettable that it has happened. But it must also be understood on the basis that he had then given unreliable and also incomplete information about who he was and what his background was. So that has played a role, and has been instrumental in things going the way they did, he says. SORRY: Unit leader at the Immigration Board, Georg Magne Rønnevig, says it is deeply regrettable that the man was subjected to torture, but believes the man has given incomplete information about himself. Photo: Immigration Board According to the board, Kagofero is not entitled to recognition as a refugee in Norway, because they believe there is serious reason to assume that he may have contributed to war crimes in the Congo. Janai Kagofero himself denies the accusations. – I am not involved in war crimes, we started a resistance group. Is this the way to welcome me home? he asks. Lawyer Trygve Tveter says this is something that has emerged in the final phase of the case, and warns that he will go to court if UNE does not give Kagofero the opportunity to get a home. – Placing him in a reception center in Norway just doesn’t work, it’s indecent, and we’ll fight for everything worth having changed! Reacts with disbelief Storting representative for SV, Grete Wold, says she reacts with disbelief that Norway admits mistakes in this case, but at the same time does not want to correct the damage. – It is bad that the immigration authorities have deported an asylum seeker, a person who has lived in Norway for 10 years and has minor children. When he is also subsequently subjected to serious torture, it is a matter of course that Norway takes responsibility and brings him back, she says. She will now ask questions to the Minister of Justice in the Storting about why Kagofero is not given the opportunity to live a full life in Norway, but probably has to live in a reception without the children being allowed to be with their father.
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UNE brought home torture victims – news Norway – Overview of news from various parts of the country
