Posted: July 28, 2004

Athletics: Rwanda Distance Runner Seeks Refugee Status in Ottawa

Joseph Nsengiyumva came to Ottawa in 2001 to compete in the Jeux de la Francophonie. Over the previous years his native country Rwanda was torn by violence, and Joseph's future looked dark. So after the Jeux, he stayed in Canada and applied for refugee status.

A long refugee procedure unfolded, brought along a number of obstacles on the way, and finally resulted on a minor note: refugee status was denied. That was a few weeks ago, spring 2004.

Two things were immediately clear to Joseph: he couldn't go back to Rwanda - literally for fear of his life. And: the outcome of the refugee process was unjust and that needed to be straightened out. For such a 'judicial review', legal help was needed - and found - but legal help tends to come with legal bills and this case is no exception. His application for review of the refugee case was prepared and filed, and his support group is working to pay off the first big invoice.

Joseph's application for review will first be rejected or accepted based on the arguments that Joseph and his lawyer submitted. If successful, the review will take place. If successful, there will be a new refugee hearing. If successful, he will finally be a refugee. The good thing is - Joseph will not be ordered to leave or be deported as long as this whole process is going on, which can easily take a year.

On the other hand, there are plenty of points where the train could derail, so there is a Plan-B. Joseph will apply directly for landed immigrant status based on humanitarian and compassionate grounds (H&C). This can be filed while the refugee process is still going on.

While living in Ottawa, Joseph has been competing for the Ottawa Lions. He won the 2003 Around the Bay 30K race in Hamilton, Ontario and was named the LIons Road Racer of the Year for 2003.

Joseph needs financial assistance to assist with the costs associated with his refugee application. A group of his fellow Ottawa Lions athletes have started a fund raising drive on his behalf. They have now set up an information page for people who would like to contribute, plus the option to use a credit card for on-line donations. The link is: .