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UK plans Zimbabwe asylum removals UK plans Zimbabwe asylum removals
(40 minutes 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 28,000 Zimbabweans have sought asylum over the past decade, but none have been removed since late 2006. Asylum groups have reacted with alarm, saying the country is too volatile to consider forcibly returning anyone.
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. Some 28,000 Zimbabweans have sought asylum over the past decade, but none have been removed since late 2006 because of a series of legal rulings on the safety of the country.
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'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. Mr Woolas said officials were considering resuming removals following the launch of the power-sharing government led by 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."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. "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''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". Mr Woolas said the UK Border Agency would spend the autumn working "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 agenciesZIMBABWEAN 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. He also announced there would be more cash offered to any failed Zimbabwean asylum applicant who wanted to return voluntarily.
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. The new scheme includes up to £2,000 in cash and a further £4,000 of 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. The announcement comes during a tense week in Zimbabwe. The MDC says there has been increased violence from militants in President Mugabe's Zanu-PF party. Prime Minister Tsvangirai then boycotted the second cabinet meeting in as many weeks.
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. African ministers are now in the country for crisis talks.
And on Wednesday, the UN's torture investigator was refused entry to Zimbabwe, despite saying he had an invitation from the prime minister. 'Volatile situation'
Donna Covey, of the Refugee Council, said the Home Office's decision was ludicrous. Sarah Harland of the Zimbabwe Association said there was widespread evidence that some returning asylum seekers had already suffered abuse and violence.
"Our government is showing a cavalier attitude to the safety of refugees who have stood up for democracy and human rights," she said. She said that while those who wanted to return would welcome the additional financial help, that had come with the "threat of removal for those who don't".
"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." "It's really disappointing that the UKBA is acting in this way," she said. "Our worry is that those who listen to what the Home Office is saying could put themselves at risk.
"The situation could not be more volatile at the moment."
And Donna Covey, of the Refugee Council, accused the Home Office of being cavalier.
"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," she said.