APPENDIX 7
Memorandum from the Zimbabwe Association
Ltd
The Zimbabwe Association wishes to express its
concern at the increasing level of violence and intimidation in
Zimbabwe. This is reflected in the evidence of those already here
or recently arrived. We attach a file of cases of harassment—this
evidence is based directly on our own experiences about what has
happened with cases in which we have been involved. We are also
concerned about continuing violence towards people who have been
returned.
We should like to stress that in the highly
volatile situation existing at this time, intimidation is not
restricted to known MDC activists, but to anyone who has opposed
the regime, or is in a position of responsibility and does not
actively support Zanu-PF. Other targets of the government include
farm workers who may be perceived to have supported the opposition
simply by continuing to work for their employers.
The Zimbabwe Association is an apolitical support
network in the UK for asylum seekers and refugees from Zimbabwe.
CASES OF
HARASSMENT—ZIMBABWE
1. Mr A, video cameraman. Came to the attention
of the authorities through taking videos of political gatherings.
Failed asylum seeker to the UK. Tortured after return to Zimbabwe
a) physically and b) psychologically. Recorded in Affidavit dated
8 August 2001.
2. Mr B, MDC activist.
Received Refugee status in April 2002.
Since Mr B has been in the UK, war veterans
camped at his father's plot; CIO questioned his father; they forced
his father to ring him and request his return to Zimbabwe; father
later phoned on public phone and let him know what was going on.
Mr B sent me an e-mail (dated January 2002)
detailing these events.
3. Mr C, low-level MDC supporter.
He is a "failed" asylum seeker in
the UK, despite having been abducted, tortured, and his wife dying
of injuries sustained during the attack in which he was abducted.
About 3-4 weeks ago (end March/early April)
his 14 year-old-son was attacked and very badly beaten.
The boy was hospitalised and cannot recollect what
happened—there is a strong indication that it was political
rather than criminal, as none of the videotapes he was carrying
were stolen.
Mr C is trying to obtain the medical report
detailing the attack.
4. Mr D, teacher.
Mr D came to the adverse attention of the authorities
after having a friend to stay for the night, who turned out to
be an MDC activist.
Despite the adjudicator having accepted that Mr D
had been tortured he was refused asylum on the grounds that he
should have tried "internal flight".
His case is on-going.
His father-in-law was recently taken by people
searching for Mr D.
He was forced to drive his car out of town and only
the fact that it ran out of petrol prevented his abduction—however,
the "people" smashed up his car and returned to his
home and destroyed some of his property.
Mr D reported this incident to his solicitor, who
probably has more details.
5. Mr E, welder.
He is an asylum seeker in the UK.
Mr E had been in trouble with the police for
his critical views. After he left Zimbabwe the police went looking
for him, beat up his wife and threatened her. She told them that
he was in England; they told her in a very threatening manner,
that if he came back—he would not be safe from them.
While he was in detention he received news that
his wife had gone missing, and his child had been found just wandering
... I spoke to him today (3 May 2002); there is still no news
of his wife.
6. Mr F, MDC activist.
The adjudicator mentioned that there were no
human rights problems in Zimbabwe and refused his appeal.
He was returned to Zimbabwe mid-December 2001.
He was assaulted on his return, and later escaped.
His aunt confirmed in a fax dated 20 December
2001 that she had also been assaulted by people searching for
Mr F.
Mr F is now in the UK, once again seeking asylum.
7. Mr G, MDC activist.
He was a failed asylum seeker who was returned
to Zimbabwe (c.21 December).
[Incidentally, the legal rep responsible for the
failure of his asylum case is now under investigation by the OISC
and has been prohibited from taking on any more immigration cases.]
He has been in hiding off and on since his return.
Before he was returned, Zanu youth went several
times to his house searching for him (letters from his father
to him and his sister, dated June and November 2001 detail these
events).
His father was beaten badly, and hospitalised
during one of these "searches".
His sister said the family had many problems
before the presidential elections with people surrounding the
house, and being threatening.
Mr G has been approached on several occasions
by people who say they know he was in the UK, and have accused
him of being a spy.
His family is trying to get him out of the country.
8. Mr H, ex-member of airforce.
Mr H was an outspoken government opponent, but
did NOT belong to a political party.
He was a failed asylum seeker who was returned
to Zimbabwe (1 January 2002).
On his arrival he saw a "warvet" by
the name of Chihuri (who had been at Tinsley House with him) pointing
out returning asylum seekers to the authorities.
He fled and is still in hiding.
9. Mr I.
After a lengthy period of detention he became very
depressed—he was concerned about his wife who had no money
for food; he also felt he would never be let out of detention.
He signed to go back to Zimbabwe and was returned
c. 16 April 2002.
I contacted his wife (22 April)—she said he
got home OK, but people had been round to their home looking for
him and he has fled to Mutare (hundreds of kilometres away).
10. Mr J, Assistant Manager.
After a lengthy period of detention he became
very depressed—he signed to return to Zimbabwe.
He was taken to the Zimbabwe High Commission
(administrative matters).
While there the staff told him they knew he
was an asylum seeker and would alert authorities in Harare to
his imminent return.
Mr J went back to Campsfield House, and tried
to hang himself. He is currently back at Campsfield House where
he has retracted his statement re returning to Zimbabwe and is
continuing to fight his case; he has a Tribunal hearing in the
near future.
Zimbabwe Association
May 2002
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