Shelter from the storm
NS July 6th, 2008
As the world watches in horror at what is unfolding in Zimbabwe and Gordon Brown calls for tougher action against Mugabe, we now hear that the Home Office is attempting to force thousands of Zimbabwean asylum seekers back to this country in political turmoil. According to an article today in The Observer, as many as 11,000 refugees face either deportation to their home country or destitution in Britain as monetary and social support is withdrawn.
A removal letter, sent at the end of May to an exiled London-based member of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change, states: ‘The support that you have been provided with is to be discontinued … You should note that there is no right to appeal against this decision … You must now leave the United Kingdom.’
The letter, which refugee groups say has been sent to hundreds of Zimbabweans in the past few months, continues: ‘As a failed asylum seeker you are expected to make arrangements to leave the United Kingdom without delay.’
The letter’s recipient, a man who asked not to be named for fear it would jeopardise his safety if he is forced to return to Zimbabwe, said that he had been tortured by President Robert Mugabe’s Zanu-PF party. ‘I have to report to the Home Office every two weeks but I haven’t got any money to pay the travel costs,’ he said.
The majority of Zimbabweans in the UK are too scared to return. As a result, refugee groups and charities say many Zimbabwean asylum seekers are now destitute and relying on friends and charity.
I sincerely hope that the Home Office comes to its senses and doesn’t send these people back into the jaws of Mugabe’s torturous and murderous regime. Especially after seeing for myself the scores of Zimbabweans living in London, terrified to return. Yesterday, as I walked along The Strand, I came across a weekly vigil held outside the Zimbabwean Embassy. There was chanting and drumming and a few dozen people gathered round, signing petitions, collecting donations, talking about the issues and looking at the graphic photos of those who had been beaten and murdered. I stayed for awhile, signing a couple petitions and making a donation and luckily had my camera with me and was able to take a few snaps.
I’ll be writing to my MP, asking him to put pressure on the Home Office and encouraging others to do the same
