In an e-mail message sent to the Research Directorate on 27 November 2001, a representative of the African Association for the Defence of Human Rights (Association africaine de défense des droits de l'homme, ASADHO) provided the following information. The representative stated that [translation] "in 1997, the academic year officially began in 1996 and was to end in 1997. However, the academic year actually began in 1997 and ended in 1998." The exact dates of the beginning and end of the academic year were not specified.

The ASADHO representative also provided the following description of the University of Kinshasa identification card:

[translation]

the [student] card is basically yellow.

[On] the front, two separate lines are connected horizontally and vertically to form a square. Inside these lines are: (1) the words "Université de Kinshasa", below which are two dotted lines; (2) the emblem in the shape of a circle cut horizontally (half-circle), which is divided into four parts. On the far left are three stars separated by a sort of arrow. The background is yellow. These two ends take up nearly half of the circle and are separated by a vertical line. The background of the other part of the half-circle is also separated by a vertical line; the background is green on the left and red on the right. Under this emblem is the motto: scientia splendit et conscientia. Under that are the words [in order]: student card, academic year 1996-1997, No....

The following information is written on the card:

[1] on the left, the student's identification: name, last name or first name, student number, marital status, nationality, academic year, faculty, elective, years of study;

[2] on the right: a space for the photo [and] below this space, [the] word[s]: signature of bearer, issued at Kinshasa, on ..., institutional head (secretary general KAPETA NZOVU, who signs for the institutional head), signature, Kinshasa.

The following is written on the back of the card:

"Notice:

The holder of this card is authorized to take courses and report for examinations.

This card must be presented whenever requested by university staff or peace officers."

This information could not be corroborated by other sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Association africaine de défense des droits de l'homme (ASADHO), Kinshasa. 27 November 2001. E-mail sent to the Research Directorate by a representative.

Two oral sources contacted could not provide information on the academic calendar or on the student card of the University of Kinshasa in 1997.

Africa Confidential 1996-2000.

Africa Research Bulletin 1996-2000.

Amnesty International. 1997-2000. Annual reports.

Country Reports. 1996-2000.

Info-Congo/Kinshasa 1996-2000.

IRB Databases.

Jeune Afrique 1996-2000.

Keesing's Record of World Events 1996-2000.

LEXIS/NEXIS.

Le Nouvel Afrique-Asie 1996-2000.

The World of Learning 1997-2000.

World News Connection (WNC).

Internet sites including:

Amnesty International Online.

ASADHO Online.

Congo2000.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) Online.

Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND), United Kingdom.

International Crisis Group (ICG).

Médias congolais.

MISNA.

Observatoire de l'Afrique centrale.

Office fédéral des réfugiés, Switzerland.

Relief Web.

La Voix des sans voix.

Search engines including:

Google.

Lycos.

Yahoo.