Zimbabwe - Removals Halted
posted: 17/12/2008
The government has effectively decided that most Zimbabweans in the UK can now remain, at least until the situation in Zimbabwe radically improves.
It has said it will not appeal the key decision of the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal that the situation in Zimbabwe has deteriorated so far that only people who can prove they are supporters of the governing Zanu-PF should be returned.
On 19th November 2008 the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal published a determination on a significant country guidance case for Zimbabwe.
The Tribunal found that anyone who is unable to demonstrate support for or loyalty Zanu-PF or the regime is at risk if returned to Zimbabwe. However, each case will have to be decided one by one, depending on the person's own relationship to Zanu-PF - friend or foe?
Fresh Claims
If a failed asylum seeker can show that they will not be able to demonstrate loyalty to the regime, then that could be enough to make a fresh claim. A significant number of Zimbabweans who have been refused asylum should now benefit from this decision, particularly those who have been in the UK for some time.
The Asylum and Immigration Tribunal's decision in RN was long awaited by thousands of Zimbabwean asylum seekers in the U.K. The decision at last offers real hope to the 7,500, a significant number of whom are living with HIV, whose applications for asylum in the UK had been refused by the Government and the Tribunal on the basis that there was nothing stopping them from returning to Zimbabwe.
Humanitarian claims too, if no basic necessities
The Tribunal’s momentous decision was for a person known as RN, a teacher from Zimbabwe who came to the UK nearly three years ago to escape violence from supporters of Mugabe’s regime. In allowing RN’s appeal on refugee and human rights grounds, the Tribunal concluded that all those Zimbabweans in the UK who cannot demonstrate loyalty to the Zanu-PF regime should be granted permission to stay and work in the UK until it is safe for them to return to Zimbabwe. The Tribunal also recognised that those who may be deprived of all the basic necessities of life if returned to Zimbabwe should be granted permission to stay here on humanitarian grounds.
The Tribunal made a similar decision in 2005 but the Government appealed and the decision was overturned by the Court of Appeal. Several further test cases went to the Court of Appeal and the matter remained unresolved until the Government’s decision this week not to challenge RN. The solicitor for RN, from the Immigration Advisory Service, Julian Bild, commented:
“The Government’s decision this week not to challenge the judgement in RN’s appeal is a welcome recognition of the real dangers that face Zimbabweans if removed from the UK. I am sure that most of the Zimbabweans in the UK would choose to go home if they could do so safely and with dignity but with the current appalling levels of violence and destitution to which Zimbabwe has descended the result of the test case was clearly the correct one. The Government must act quickly to implement the decision.
“Those Zimbabweans who have previously failed in their applications for asylum in the UK should quickly get legal advice from accredited legal representatives on their position following the test case decision”.
source source2
Briefing from Refugee Council
The Tribunal's decision reference for the case is RN (Returnees) Zimbabwe CG [2008] UKAIT 00083 [November 2008]
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City Boosts Mahoro's Campaign
posted: 12/12/2008
An HIV asylum seeker's fight against deportation to Rwanda has now been backed by Manchester council. The 43-year-old woman, who has asked to be identified only by the name Mahoro, has been refused leave to remain in Britain.
Now council leader Sir Richard Leese has written to immigration minister Phil Woolas in her support, describing her as a model citizen.
Council motion and letter
Councillors passed a resolution tabled by Marc Ramsbottom, leader of the town hall's Liberal Democrats, to support her campaign to stay.
Mahoro, who lives in south Manchester, is originally from Rwanda and contracted HIV after being raped by a soldier in an attack linked to the country's ethnic conflict.
She found she was HIV positive two months before moving to Manchester. She fears that if she goes back to Rwanda she will not be able to get the treatment she needs and will be targeted by her husband's murderers.
She said: "When I moved to south Manchester and started going to church I made friends and began getting a lot of support."
Mahoro is an active volunteer in community organisations including the George House Trust, which supports people with HIV.
Sir Richard's letter described how the council 'passed a unanimous resolution recognising that it would be inhuman to deport' Mahoro and urges Mr Woolas, MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth, to exercise his discretion.
Earlier this year, Withington MP John Leech made Mahoro's case in Prime Minister's Question Time, and last month she addressed parliament herself.
Councillor Ramsbottom said: "Mahoro is a model citizen in lots of ways."
For more information visit her campaign at her church's website, Holy Innocents in Fallowfield and some information on our own site
source
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Adela's Campaign - Now Facebook
posted: 17/11/2008
With Adela's help there is now a Facebook page for her campaign to remain in the UK.
How You Can Help Adela
You can help Adela in her fight to remain in the UK by:
Please join her Facebrook Page and ask people you know to join.
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Adela Must Stay - Please Help
posted: 31/10/2008
filed under:
deportation HIV
With MPs such as the Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on AIDS joining Adela's campaign to remain, please help by writing to your own MP.
Adela is a long standing George House Trust service user. She is very involved in George House Trust, as a member of the SMART (Service Monitoring and Review Team), as well as being a founder member of the Positive Speakers Programme.
Adela came to the UK fleeing Rwanda because of persecution. She was diagnosed with HIV during her time here in the UK.
The Home Office have completely refused Adela's application to remain in the country. If Adela is deported to Rwanda she will not be able to access the life saving medication that she needs. Her health will fail and it is likely that she will live only a short time.
What you can do
Adela has a very active anti - deportation campaign group who are fighting to try and help her stay in the country. If you would like to be involved please contact Lynda Shentall the Director of Service at lynda@ght.org.uk
Please download and send the attached letter to the Home Office. Please add your own name and address and change the date. You could also contact your own MP and speak to them about Adela's situation. Get your MP's contact details by using your postcode here
Word version of letter
Rich Text File .rtf of letter
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Stop Adela's Deportation
posted: 14/10/2008
filed under:
deportation HIV
Please help stop Adela's immediate forced removal. Adela is a long standing George House Trust service user. She is very involved in George House Trust, as a member of the SMART (Service Monitoring and Review Team), as well as being a founder member of the Positive Speakers Programme.
Adela came to the UK fleeing Rwanda because of persecution. She was diagnosed with HIV during her time here in the UK.
The Home Office have completely refused Adela's application to remain in the country. If Adela is deported to Rwanda she will not be able to access the life saving medication that she needs. Her health will fail and it is likely that she will live only a short time.
What you can do
Adela has a very active anti - deportation campaign group who are fighting to try and help her stay in the country. If you would like to be involved please contact Lynda Shentall the Director of Service at lynda@ght.org.uk
Please download and send the attached letter to the Home Office. Please add your own name and address and, if necessary change the date. You could also contact your own MP and speak to them about Adela's situation. Get your MP's contact details by using your postcode here
Word version of letter
Rich Text version (for people without MS Office)
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