UK to deport failed Zimbabwean asylum seekers

By Lance Guma
17 March 2008

Britain’s policy on Zimbabwe is under the spotlight following revelations that the government has begun moves to deport thousands of failed Zimbabwean asylum seekers. Last year a British judge ruled that not all asylum seekers face persecution if deported back home, and now the Border and Immigration Agency is reported to have sent out letters to around 500 failed asylum seekers, mainly living in the North West of the country. The letters urge them to return voluntarily to Zimbabwe or face expulsion. The agency says it expects to be able to enforce the deportation of failed asylum seekers who have exhausted their rights of appeal ‘and have no other basis of stay in the UK.’

The decision immediately drew a chorus of criticism from refugee groups and activists who argued it was a contradiction from the British government who at the same time condemn human rights abuses in Zimbabwe. Speaking to Newsreel Sarah Harland from the Zimbabwe Association said some of the people receiving the deportation letters have still not exhausted their appeals while others now fell into new ‘risk’ categories recently acknowledged by courts. The UK courts recently accepted that low level activists, teachers and people with a military background were at risk if sent back home. Harland argued that people falling into these categories needed to be given a chance to launch fresh asylum applications.

The UK government was however quick to defend their stance saying, ‘not every Zimbabwean in the UK qualifies for asylum. We believe it is vital we continue to operate a fair and robust system, enforcing the removal of those not entitled to be in the country.’ A report by British newspaper The Independent on Sunday put the number of failed Zimbabwean asylum seekers at over 7000 and that the first phase of the deportations will affect close to a 1000. The Zimbabwe Association disputed the figures saying their records indicate that 20 500 Zimbabweans claimed asylum between 2000 and 2007 and that out of this number only a quarter to a third were granted some form of status. The fate of over 13 000 remains unclear.

The organisation has meanwhile urged affected Zimbabweans to contact their lawyers and find out the status of their cases, while making sure they are still in the system. Those without a lawyer can contact the Zimbabwe Association and get help securing one. Phone numbers: 0207 549 0355, 07985037198.