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.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
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