SW Radio Africa (London)
30 October 2009
A Zimbabwean refugee rights groups in the UK has expressed concern over the Home Office threats this week that it will start deporting some 10 000 failed Zimbabwean asylum seekers in the coming months.
UK Immigration Minister Phil Woolas indicated deportations could be on the cards, while announcing new cash and aid repatriation packages that will be made available for failed asylum seekers. Woolas explained the packages, worth an estimated £6000, are hoped to encourage failed asylum seekers to voluntary return home to Zimbabwe. But he indicated deportations would be the next step "to enforce the law."
The Home Office said this week it had carefully considered its position on enforced returns to Zimbabwe, in light of developments since the formation the unity government in February.
"The UK Border Agency will therefore be starting work over the autumn on a process aimed at normalising our returns policy to Zimbabwe, moving towards resuming enforced returns progressively, as and when the political situation develops," Woolas said.
He insisted the Home Office took its obligations under the 1951 refugee convention seriously and said it would continue to consider individual cases on their merits.
"However, we have always expected those found not to be in need of protection to return home. We prefer these individuals to return voluntarily," Woolas added.
The forced removal of Zimbabweans from the UK was halted in September 2006 pending a high court battle, which ended in a ruling recognising that all those who were unable to demonstrate loyalty to Mugabe risked persecution if they were sent back.
But Sarah Harland from the Zimbabwe Association, a charity working for Zimbabwean asylum seekers and refugees in the UK, said the present precarious situation in Zimbabwe meant there is increased anxiety about returning home. In the past few weeks there have been increasing incidents of violence and intimidation against NGOs, rights activists and MDC supporters, and there are widespread fears of more attacks as the political crisis unravels. Harland explained that some Zimbabweans who have voluntarily returned to the country this year have 'regretted their decisions', which came after Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai earlier this year appealed for Zimbabweans to return home.
Harland explained that one teacher who recently returned is now "lying low for fear of victimisation", after the teacher was harassed, victimised and punished upon returning to Zimbabwe, "merely for being away in the UK." Harland also explained that one returnee from South Africa, Edwin Chingami, was murdered in August by ZANU PF youths, shortly after his return from the UK, "for being a 'sell-out'."
"It is disappointing that the Minister's statement contains the threat of enforced removals which means those thinking of returning home voluntarily will now be suspicious about the enhanced (aid) package," Harland said. "It is counter-productive and will result in much stress and anxiety among the Zimbabwean community in the UK."
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