UK asylum case draws to a close

By Tichaona Sibanda
06 July 2006

Judgement in the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal in the AA test case in London is expected to be delivered soon after solicitors for the Home Office and those representing AA delivered their closing submissions on Thursday.

The tribunal began hearing testimony from several witnesses on Monday and the highlight of the case came on Tuesday when the court heard a chilling account of how state security agents ‘deal with undesirable elements’of the opposition in Zimbabwe.

On a number of occasions, the tribunal has had to be held in camera following a request from solicitors representing AA, because of the need to protect some key witnesses. There have also been concerns that operatives from the dreaded central intelligence organisation have been seen seated in the public gallery.

On Wednesday another key AA witness broke down during cross-examination by the Home Office solicitors and the judge had to adjourn the hearing for about 10 minutes. Harris Nyatsanza, a Human rights activist who has been attending the hearing, said the court had an opportunity Thursday to hear from a failed asylum seeker who voluntarily went back home but was tortured by the CIO.

The asylum seeker was able to travel back to the UK and his evidence in court Thursday was vital to prove that failed asylum seekers would be at risk if returned home. The AA asylum case is meant to determine whether it is safe to return failed Zimbabwean asylum seekers back home. The home office has already submitted its evidence and declared that it is safe.

They also told the hearing Monday that a full time member of staff is now based at the British Embassy in Harare to monitor the welfare of returnees and that this will also ensure their safety. But various witnesses have told a different story and claimed it would be wrong to send back failed asylum seekers.