Britain granted right to deport Zim asylum seekers

Tony Blair don't send us back, that was the reaction from some Zimbabweans

The British government has won a long-running legal battle for the right to deport failed asylum seekers back to Zimbabwe. Deportations had been on hold since last year due to fears that any returnees would face persecution.

However today a judge ruled failed asylum seekers did not automatically face a real risk of being subjected to ill treatment on their return. The Asylum and Immigration Tribunal ruled that a failed asylum seeker returning involuntarily to Zimbabwe, would not face a real risk of persecution on that account alone.

The judge did set out exceptions, saying that those linked to opposition parties even at a low level, or with military or criminal records, may be in danger if they were returned home. But even those who were politically active at home, say they continue to be concerned their asylum claims will be rejected.

It is thought between 9 and 15 000 Zimbabweans are currently claiming asylum, cases which have been in limbo pending the ruling. The tribunal judge summed up his ruling by saying that he hoped nobody would be put at risk by this policy. However many here insist that they will.