Zimbabwe asylum seekers end hunger strike

Zimbabwe asylum seekers end hunger strike

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By Staff Reporter

ZIMBABWEAN asylum seekers in at least seven immigration removal centres in the UK have suspended an 18-day hunger strike.

The United Network of Detained Zimbabweans which called the strike on June 22 said the strike action had been maintained by 55 of its members for 18 days.

"Our decision to suspend the hunger strike follows Mr Justice Collins' request to the Home Secretary Charles Clarke to halt the removal of asylum seekers until his ruling after the court hearing he has directed for 4th August," the UNDZ said in a statement issued Monday.

At the hearing, the Refugee Legal Centre is expected to present evidence that asylum seekers whose claims are refused by the Home Office and forcibly returned to Zimbabwe face persecution and are in great danger from agents of Robert Mugabe’s Zanu PF regime.

In a judgement last week, Justice Collins said: "There is no question but the situation in Zimbabwe gives rise to real concern about the safety of those being returned to it.”

UNDZ Chairman, Tafara Nhengu, who is currently detained at Harmondsworth Immigration Removal Centre said: "It is too early to say that our faith in British justice has been restored, but at least our hope for justice from the courts has been restored by Mr Justice Collins’ comments. The actions of the Home Office had almost destroyed any faith we had in Britain as a defender of freedom."

Noble Sibanda, Co-ordinator of the UNDZ’s campaign, paid tribute to the courage and resolve of the hunger striking detainees.

He said: "These men and women are still prepared to starve to death rather than be sent back to Mugabe’s torturers. Our united resolve and the solid support of some wonderful lawyers and doctors and other human rights activists has helped us to bring our plight and the desperate plight of the people of Zimbabwe to the attention of the British public. We have been given strength to continue, knowing that we are not forgotten and that MPs and Peers are arguing for us in Parliament at Westminster."

Following a legal challenge on Friday 8th July and reports from the Medical Foundation for Victims of Torture on their rapidly deteriorating condition after weeks of refusing food, two hunger strikers, Timbha Mqubeli and Harris Nyatsanza, were moved from Harmondsworth Immigration Removal Centre to hospital care.

On August 4th, the UNDZ, in solidarity with other groups, said protesters will mass outside the Royal Courts of Justice awaiting the ruling from the High Court.

Contacts:
Noble Sibanda - Co-ordinator, United Network of Detained Zimbabweans
079 0413 2448 or 078 3219 1659

Tafara Nhengu - Chair, United Network of Detained Zimbabweans
Harmondsworth Immigration Removal Centre - 0208 283 3850 ext 1113

Mafungasei Maikokera - Co-ordinator, Detained Zimbabwean Women
Yarl's Wood Immigration Removal Centre - 01234 821000 room 236
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