The Government today halted its policy of deporting Zimbabwean asylum seekers after facing international condemnation amid fears that opponents of President Robert Mugabe are being handed over to his feared secret police.Home Secretary David Blunkett announced the change of policy this
afternoon during a speech on immigration and asylum policy, in which he
also promised tougher jail sentences for organised gangs who smuggle
asylum seekers into the UK.
The change of heart on Zimbabwe comes after the United Nations High
Commission for Refugees, Amnesty International and even the Tory Party
spoke out about the dangers of deporting asylum seekers with links to
the opposition Movement for Democratic Change. Mr Blunkett said: "After
extensive consideration of all the available evidence and official
advice, I have decided to suspend removals of failed asylum seekers to
Zimbabwe until after the elections are held in March. We will continue
to monitor the situation closely, with a view to re-appraising our
position immediately after the elections are concluded."
Mr Blunkett stressed that, in recent months, refugee status had been
granted to a number of opposition activists – including teachers,
nurses and journalists who have been beaten up and harassed by Mugabe’s
ZANU-PF regime or his Central Intelligence Organisation.
Britain and the US have meanwhile begun preparations to track down
millions of dollars believed to be held in secret bank accounts by
Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe.
The identification of the funds taken out of the African state is
essential if the US and EU decide to impose personal sanctions on Mr
Mugabe and his ministers.
The Foreign Office would not confirm today that preparations were being
made over the bank accounts, but a spokesman said it was working "to
apply pressure to the government of Zimbabwe".
Standard Uk
Post published in: Politics