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REFUGEE ACTIONS RESPONDS TO
ZIMBABWE RULING

Tuesday March 15th 2011

In response to Monday’s country guidance determination by the Upper Tribunal for Immigration and Asylum which rules that it is now generally safe for people to return to Zimbabwe, Dave Garratt, Chief Executive of Refugee Action, said:

“The tribunal states that the general situation in Zimbabwe has improved since removals were suspended in 2008 for people who could not prove allegiance to Zanu-PF. However, we are very concerned that while the current situation may have improved, forthcoming elections could make things dramatically worse for people who are sent back. We believe removals should be delayed until that situation can be assessed.

“The chamber also found that there are still several groups of people currently at risk. They include people from some rural areas, teachers and those from Harare who have a significant MDC profile. We urge the government to ensure that they are at least given temporary, renewable humanitarian protection until the situation improves.

“We welcome the tribunal’s recognition that many, particularly those with children, have become very settled in the UK over a period of years and it would be unreasonable to expect them to return.”

ENDS

For more information contact Julia Ravenscroft, Press Officer at Refugee Action, on 0161 831 5454 or 07771 748 159.

Notes to editors:

• Refugee Action is an independent, national charity working to enable refugees to build new lives in the UK. We provide practical advice and assistance for newly arrived asylum seekers and long-term commitment to their settlement through community development work, and received 30,000 visits from asylum seekers last year. As one of the countrys leading agencies in the field, Refugee Action has 29 years experience in pioneering innovative work in partnership with refugees.

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