Decision on UK deportations due next Friday

By Tererai Karimakwenda
07 October 2005

Judges hearing the Zimbabwe immigration case in the UK listened to final submissions from lawyers representing the Home office and those for the Legal Refugee Centre on Friday. They will take evidence presented by both sides and determine whether it is safe to return failed asylum cases to Zimbabwe.

There was a lack of medical reports and sworn statements from Zimbabweans who were tortured upon return home because many are too afraid to document their stories. On the other hand, the home office team that visited Zimbabwe to investigate did not speak to many of the appropriate organisations that have evidence of torture and harassment. A decision will be announced next Friday that will affect all Zimbabweans applying for asylum in the U.K.