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Zimbabweans should not be returned to danger

Wednesday 2 August 2006

The Asylum and Immigration Tribunal (AIT) today ruled that it would be safe to remove failed Zimbabwean asylum seekers back to their country.

The same tribunal blocked removals last year, saying failed Zimbabwean asylum seekers faced interrogation by the security services on return because they were viewed as spies.

But the High Court ordered the tribunal to reconsider its decision in April following a government appeal.

In response to today’s decision Sandy Buchan, chief executive of Refugee Action, said: “We are extremely disappointed with this decision. Zimbabwean asylum seekers have fled a country where documented human rights abuses, arbitrary killings, the destruction of property and the silencing of political opposition has taken place.

“The very fact that the tribunal previously found enough evidence to suggest that asylum seekers were at risk merely because they had sought protection shows just how harsh this regime really is.

“The British government has itself repeatedly condemned the human rights abuses of the Mugabe administration. The lack of monitoring of asylum seekers on return means their safety cannot be assured.

“Many Zimbabweans wish to return home when the regime changes. Until that time, we believe that they should be granted some form of leave to remain in the UK, with permission to work, subject to review.

“What is clear is that no-one should be sent back to danger.”

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For more information call Julia Ravenscroft, press officer at Refugee Action on 0161 2331956 or Stephen Rylance, head of communications, on 020 7654 7707 or 07810 757 752 (out of hours).

Notes:

1. Refugee Action is an independent, national charity working to enable refugees to build new lives in the UK. We provide practical advice and assistance for newly arrived asylum seekers and long-term commitment to their settlement through community development work, and received 30,000 visits from asylum seekers last year. As one of the country’s leading agencies in the field, Refugee Action has 25 years’ experience in pioneering innovative work in partnership with refugees.

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