Zimbabwean Asylum Seekers

Any failed asylum seekers from Zimbabwe (or anybody working with this group) should be informed of the recent case of RN. The following is given freely for information purposes without claims to reliability and should not be treated as qualified advice. Always check with a solicitor.

It was normally the case that Zimbabweans fleeing persecution from Mugabe would have to prove they were members of the MDC or similar. But in November 2008, a teacher from Zimbabwe known as "RN" convinced the UK asylum tribunal that any Zimbabweans unable to demonstrate loyalty to the ruling ZANU-PF could be at risk of persecution if returned home.

This may mean that failed asylum seekers or others without status from Zimbabwe living in the UK could now make fresh claims for asylum. This will affect those living on hard case support, social services support and those who are completely destitute.

People should contact their immigration solicitors if they have one or try to seek new representation to see how RN might affect them. Please note that immigration is a lively area of law and new rulings are coming into place all the time that may affect this decision. As ever, I would warn people of rogue solicitors, those who ask you to pay them money or guarantee you success. The Home Office are notoriously slow to respond to fresh claims for asylum and this will not solve your problems overnight but it is a real step forwards for some.

A Journey to Citizenship - Test

Try the test for for people applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain in Britain or for those wanting British Citizenship.

Click here.

Event: A Taste of Uganda

Just using this blog to pass on information about an event on Saturday 24 September 2009 in Brighton :

BBC Radio 4 Programmes : The Flight from Tehran

Next week BBC Radio 4 broadcasts a series of programmes about people who left Iran and came to Britain.

The Flight from Tehran: British-Iranians 30 Years On

Programme website here.

Starts 12 January, Broadcast at 1545 - check website to see about listen again.

From the Refugee Council : Report says UK border controls may be putting refugees in danger

From the Refugee Council :
Their research shows UK border controls in countries outside Britain are failing to protect refugees who may be fleeing persecution in their home countries.

Full text here.

Refugee Council information in a range of languages : click here

This Blog : On Air

Great to hear the Algerian interview and music including Khaled on Refugee Radio. Thanks also for mentioning this blog ! Look forward to the Zimbabwe related post !

Refugee Radio is broadcast on Radio Reverb from 10am on Mondays. Make sure you check out the website and Refugee Radio's own type of listen again facility.

From the Argus

Happy New Year !

Here are links to two stories covered by the Argus in Brighton :

Sisya says Thank You

Victory for Love as Wife wins passport