U.N. calls on U.K. to stop deporting Zimbabweans
11th January 2002
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is urging the British government to suspend temporarily the removal of unsuccessful asylum seekers to Zimbabwe. In the spirit of the U.N. Refugee Convention it asks the government to grant asylum to those who risk persecution in Zimbabwe.
Anne Dawson-Shepherd, UNHCR Representative in the U.K. said:
"UNHCR is gravely concerned about the serious human rights violations in Zimbabwe. Those who have sought asylum in the UK should be offered a safe haven and all deportations stopped. Their return to Zimbabwe under current circumstances could seriously jeopardise their physical safety, their liberty and their life."
We are concerned that the Zimbabwean government is sanctioning extra-judicial executions, hostage-taking, torture and targeted violence in the run-up to the presidential elections in March. The police and other law-enforcement agencies are turning a blind eye to acts of violence and torture against all those opposed to the re-election of President Mugabe, as well as journalists and human rights activists.
UNHCR calls on the U.K. government to respond to the protection needs of Zimbabwean asylum seekers in the spirit of the 1951 Convention.
For further information contact
Claire Doole
UNHCR U.K. Press Officer
020 7932 1020
07775 566127