UN intervens as Zim rejects asylum seekers

Source: UN intervens as Zim rejects asylum seekers – NewZimbabwe 25/04/2016

IN an effort to restrict refugees coming into the country, government has rejected a number of asylum claims prompting the intervention of the United Nations which is pleading on behalf of the failed applicants.

UN is asking government to reconsider some of the asylum applications at Tongogara Camp in Chipinge, Manicaland Province and other refugee camps.

The United Nation High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) Country Representative, Robert Tibagwa, made the plea to Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare minister, Prisca Mupfumira, in Harare Monday.

Mupfumira admitted government had rejected quite a number of asylum seekers, saying they were willing to review some of the cases.

Tibagwa approached the minister after visiting Tongogara Camp last week where he discovered that some refugees’ applications had been turned down.

“We do not have enough resources to take care of the refugees since we are struggling with so many challenges but, I am glad that UNHCR has asked our government to reconsider the applications,” Mupfumira said.

But Tibagwa said support would be extended to refugees and there was a possibility of reviewing the rejected asylum seekers.

“Those with no issues like criminal records and any other issues will be identified,” Tibagwa told reporters.

At the moment, Zimbabwe hosts about 11, 000 refugees and the number is expected to increase as the war situation intensifies in the Democratic
Republic of Congo (DRC) where most of the refugees come from (80%).

Other refugees are from Rwanda, Burundi, Sudan, Eretria and Ethiopia.