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Deporting asylum seekers to Zimbabwe 'gross injustice'
Jun 30 2005
The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Westminster yesterday joined calls for a moratorium on deporting failed asylum seekers to Zimbabwe.
He said such deportations would be "a gross injustice" in the light of the conduct of Robert Mugabe's government.
His remarks echo those of the Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams.
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor said: "The government of Zimbabwe appears to be conducting a sustained, systematic campaign of terror against its own citizens.
"I share the frustration of all people of good will at this violation of basic human dignity and of international law.
"The expulsion of hundreds of thousands of poor people from their homes, leaving them to sleep in winter temperatures in the open air, is deeply abhorrent.
"I wish to add my voice to the many who are calling upon the leaders of member nations of the African Union and of the United Nations to do what they can to bring an end to this disgraceful situation.
"In the light of these and other events, I agree with the Archbishop of Canterbury that it would be a gross injustice, at odds with Britain's humanitarian traditions, to send back Zimbabwean refugees.
" At the very least, a moratorium on returns should be observed while the international community attempts to get to grips with a fastdeteriorating situation in Zimbabwe.
"I welcome indications that the Government is reviewing the question, and for the time being no Zimbabweans are being sent home." The Government has denied it has changed its policy on deportations or has ordered a freeze on repatriating failed asylum seekers.
Tony Blair's spokesman said: " The policy hasn't changed. It is still the Government's policy to consider individual applications on an individual basis."
