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UK plans Zimbabwe asylum removals UK plans Zimbabwe asylum removals
(about 1 hour later)
The Home Office has announced it wants to resume the removal of failed Zimbabwean asylum seekers.The Home Office has announced it wants to resume the removal of failed Zimbabwean asylum seekers.
Immigration minister Phil Woolas said the ground was being cleared to start enforced returns "as and when the political situation develops".Immigration minister Phil Woolas said the ground was being cleared to start enforced returns "as and when the political situation develops".
The BBC understands the UK Border Agency could start returns in the New Year, but no firm date has been set.The BBC understands the UK Border Agency could start returns in the New Year, but no firm date has been set.
Some 24,000 Zimbabweans sought refuge in the UK between 1999 and 2008, but none have been removed since late 2006. Some 28,000 Zimbabweans have sought asylum over the past decade, but none have been removed since late 2006.
Representatives of Zimbabweans in the UK expressed alarm and concern at the announcement, saying there was no evidence that the country was yet safe enough for a return.
Allegations that MDC supporters and human rights defenders have been arrested, harassed and intimidated during the past few days highlight the urgency of objective fact-finding UN statement Media 'still not free' The price of reconciliation Harare diary: 'Almost normal'
But in a statement to MPs, Mr Woolas said officials were looking at resuming removals following the formation of the power-sharing government including both President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the opposition MDC party.
"As Prime Minister Tsvangirai has set out, including during a visit to the UK in June, there have been some positive changes in the situation in Zimbabwe over the past six months.
"While a great deal remains to be done to institute the political and other reforms set out in the Global Political Agreement, the indiscriminate violence which marred the elections of 2008 has abated.
"And the formation of the Inclusive Government has led to improvements in the economy, schools and the availability of basic commodities."
'Normalisation'
Mr Woolas said the UK Border Agency was starting work over the autumn "on a process aimed at normalising our returns policy to Zimbabwe, moving towards resuming enforced returns progressively as and when the political situation develops".
ZIMBABWEAN ASYLUM SEEKERS IN THE UK Asylum applicants 1999 - 2008: 28,000Given refugee status: 4,480 (19%)Granted other rights to stay: 390 (2%)Refused: 17,705 (74%)Legal ruling barred most removals in 2006Voluntary returns 07-08: 345Voluntary returns 2009: 89 Sources: Official figures and refugee agencies
The Home Office also announced it was offering more cash for any Zimbabweans who wanted to voluntarily return.
The new scheme would see returnees offered up to £2,000 in cash and a further £4,000 support-in-kind for education or starting a business.
But earlier this week, the MDC said there had been "increased violent" attacks on members who had been beaten up by militants from President Mugabe's Zanu-PF party.
Prime Minister Tsvangirai has also boycotted the second cabinet meeting in as many weeks in protest against what he says has been a failure of Zanu-PF to implement the power-sharing deal in full.
And on Wednesday, the UN's torture investigator was refused entry to Zimbabwe, despite saying he had an invitation from the prime minister.
Donna Covey, of the Refugee Council, said the Home Office's decision was ludicrous.
"Our government is showing a cavalier attitude to the safety of refugees who have stood up for democracy and human rights," she said.
"After the farcical attempts to return Iraqis and Afghans in recent weeks against UN advice, it is of great concern that the government are now considering returns to Zimbabwe."