news > news releases

REFUGEE ACTION'S RESPONSE TO MINISTERIAL STATEMENT ON RETURNS TO ZIMBABWE

Thursday October 15th 2009

Following the announcement today that the Home Office is considering removing people to Zimbabwe, Sandy Buchan, Chief Executive of Refugee Action, said:

"The situation in Zimbabwe is still very fragile and it is vital that people are given adequate time and advice to consider returning there voluntarily. Considerations around forced removals are premature, especially considering today's news that the UN's Special Rapporteur on torture was detained and forcibly removed from Zimbabwe.

"Refugee Action still sees more Zimbabweans asking for help and advice than any other single nationality, and many are terrified of returning to their country.

"We urge the government to postpone any forced removals until their safety can be absolutely guaranteed."

ENDS

For more information or to organise an interview contact Julia Ravenscroft, Chief Press Officer at Refugee Action, on 0161 831 5454 or 07771 748 159.

Notes:

Refugee Action is an independent, national charity working to enable refugees to build new lives in the UK. We provide practical advice and assistance for newly arrived asylum seekers and support their settlement through community development work. As one of the country's leading agencies in the field, Refugee Action has 27 years' experience in pioneering innovative work in partnership with refugees and advised more than 40,000 asylum seekers and refugees last year. For more information, visit www.refugee-action.org.uk