ZIMBABWE REMOVALS:  JANUARY 2002

NB 17/1/2002 Now Britain is no longer removing failed asylum seekers to Zimbabwe this page will no longer be updated. For up to date information see the AVID Special Report on Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is in chaos, Robert Mugabe is using torture and oppression to try and win the forthcoming elections. There are floods of well-educated and desperate refugees leaving the country. Until 14th January Britain was turning them away. On 11th January the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) called for a British CHANGE IN POLICY  All British Opposition Parties also called for a CHANGE   

On 14th January the HOME OFFICE announced the suspension of removals pending the production of an updated country report.  There are reports from THE GUARDIAN and THE INDEPENDENT    Also included is an INDEPENDENT EDITORIAL  On 27th January Britain called for COMMONWEALTH EXPULSION The Canadian  Government announced it would not be returning any more Zimbabweans.

This special report includes MEDIA REPORTS from various Leading Newspapers and the BBC , and a PRESS RELEASE from the Zimbabwe Association. The January HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT of the Zimbabwe NGOs is also included. The Zimbabwe Human Rights Forum has a WEBSITE with up to date information.

There is a  PROPOSAL by the British Foreign Secretary to suspend Zimbabwe from the Commonwealth, COMMONS QUESTIONS of 9th January from Hansard, and a STATEMENT from a Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group.

Home Office assumptions on the torture history of zimbabwean refugees are challenged by the Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture

There is a  COMMENTARY on the Home Office "Zimbabwe AsseSsment", written by Terence Ranger, BA,MA,D.Phil.,D.Litt.,FBA Emeritus Professor, St Antony's College, Oxford. The  ASSESSMENT  is annexed for information. (It should be noted that Professor Ranger was writing of the October assessment which will be updated any day) Those who were removed  from Britain because of this assessment faced a hard time at Harare Airport  There is a harrowing personal account of the INTERNAL TERROR suffered by a white farmer, received by email on 16th January.

Grassroots LABOUR PARTY PROTEST is reflected by the Labour Link website. The Conservative Shadow Minister says the UK is FAILING ZIMBABWEAN REFUGEES

Protest is also represented by LETTERS TO THE MINISTER from Lord Avebury. There is a REPLY of 3rd January from Lord Rooker, the British Immigration Minister

Further information is available from the SECRETARY or the TREASURER of the Zimbabwe Association

and from the web at ALLAFRICA.COM 

Haslar Home Page  AVID Home Page

8.1 On 15 January 2002 the Home Secretary announced that removals to Zimbabwe from the United Kingdom of failed asylum seekers would be suspended until after the presidential election has been held in March 2002. The situation in Zimbabwe will continue to be monitored closely by the Home Office, with a view to re-appraising the position immediately after the elections have been held. The Home Secretary confirmed that asylum claims from Zimbabweans would continue to be judged on their merits and that the Home Office is committed to granting asylum to those genuinely at risk of persecution, while refusing claims that do not have merit. [17]

Haslar Home Page  AVID Home Page