No deportations as UK delays decision on Zimbabwean asylum seekers


By Tererai Karimakwenda
04 August 2005

Zimbabweans in the UK celebrated loudly and sang till they were voiceless when lawyers for the home office asked for an adjournment of the case on Zimbabwe deportations. Judge Collins postponed the hearing till September or October, and went further by ordering an end to all deportations to Zimbabwe until then. By all accounts from people who were at the Royal Courts of Justice in London, the judge seemed concerned about Zimbabwe and was fair. Detained asylum seekers can now also apply for bail to be released. The UK has been trying to determine what policy to pursue regarding Zimbabwean asylum seekers. There have been cases presented to the home office where people who had been returned to Zimbabwe were victimised again by government agents. A home office lawyer described the situation in Zimbabwe now as "transient", and Judge Collins corrected him, saying it was "deteriorating".
Sarah Harland of The Zimbabwe Association, an organisation that helps asylum seekers, said Judge Collins transferred the case to a tribunal to be heard as a country guidance case. This means all evidence presented will be crucial in determining asylum policy on Zimbabwe.

Opposition activist Crispin Kulinji, who was at the court Thursday, said although it was a jubilant occasion the fight is not over. As he has spent months in detention himself Crispin said he hopes all the detained Zimbabwean asylum seekers are released within days.

The reverend Dr. Martine Stemerick also went to the court for Thursday's hearing. She said Judge Collins is truly concerned about Zimbabwe and hopes that he gets to hear the tribunal case. She said the judge also ordered the press not to reveal the names of any Zimbabweans who testified.