UK mulls returning failed asylum seekers to Zimbabwe

Published on Thursday 29 October 2009 21:06

THE government is considering resuming flights returning failed asylum seekers to Zimbabwe.

The flights were suspended three years ago due to the dire political and economic situation in the former colony. But immigration minister Phil Woolas is looking at "normalising" returns because of improvements since president Robert Mugabe agreed to power sharing.

Mr Woolas also announced changes to grants given to migrants who volunteer to return, with more receiving aid packages worth up to 6,000 to help them rebuild their lives. He said: "The British government takes its international responsibilities seriously and we will continue to grant protection to those Zimbabweans that need it."

More than 6,500 Zimbabweans have applied for political asylum in the past three years. About 925 were granted refugee status, while about 4,500 had their applications for asylum rejected.

Following discredited elections last year and widespread violence, Mr Mugabe agreed to power-sharing arrangements, with opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai being appointed prime minister in February.