Asylum seekers fight for right to work in UK

Asylum seekers fight for right to work in UK

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By Jamie Doward

THOUSANDS of Zimbabweans who have been refused asylum in Britain are staying on to live hand-to-mouth on food and shelter given by strangers because they are terrified to return to their violent homeland.

Charities and politicians will on Monday call on the government to take urgent action to help those forced into what they describe as a 'cruel limbo'.

The Zimbabweans' plight follows a move by the government to appeal against a ruling by the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal that there was a 'real risk' of Zimbabweans being given inhuman treatment if they were sent home. The ruling, following a widespread hunger strike by Zimbabweans held in detention centres and a public furore over their return, led to all removals being halted.

But the Home Office's decision to appeal against the judgment has undermined the Zimbabweans' ability to claim refugee status and secure emergency benefits.

Unable to work, many are living in destitution, said Maeve Sherlock, chief executive of the Refugee Council, which has joined the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Zimbabwe to highlight the Zimbabweans' plight.

'Many of these people won't be able to return to Zimbabwe until after [President Robert] Mugabe has gone. This situation is completely unsustainable,' Sherlock said.

Harris Nyatsanza, a teacher who left Zimbabwe after being imprisoned by the country's security forces in 2003, is relying on well-wishers to feed and house him. 'I was staying somewhere, but was told I'd been there too long,' he said.

'The Home Office is trying to make us destitute so we'll go back. I know of hundreds of people who can't get any support. It's winter. Where are people going to get warm clothes?'

A Home Office spokeswoman said it would continue to provide protection for Zimbabweans who were genuine asylum seekers. 'We're not enforcing returns,' she said. 'We are seeking to appeal the recent tribunal ruling. However, voluntary returns are continuing.'

The spokeswoman said that as some people were still returning to Zimbabwe, the failed asylum seekers did not qualify for emergency shelter or food vouchers.

Until last year the government had a moratorium on returning people to Zimbabwe because it was considered to be too dangerous. But the government feared this would attract more asylum seekers, so in November 2004 it started the return of Zimbabweans.

Around 200 were sent back before the tribunal ruling - Observer
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