FFT welcomes renewed ban on returning failed asylum seekers to Zimbabwe

Freedom from Torture welcomes the upholding of the ban on returning failed asylum seekers to Zimbabwe. The charity has helped more than 300 torture victims of the Mugabe regime since the human rights situation in Zimbabwe began to deteriorate badly in 1999.

The Medical Foundation's director of public affairs Sherman Carroll said: "Those suspected of opposing the regime endure appalling treatment. Beatings and rape are commonplace. Zimbabweans who claim asylum in Britain automatically identify themselves as opponents of Mugabe. To return them to Zimbabwe could seal their fate.

"It's a pity that the Home Office has refused to recognise the very real evidence of torture and persecution in Zimbabwe, causing our clients who have not been recognised as refugees a great deal of fear and uncertainty.

"The judgement emphasises the absolute nature of Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights that no-one should be exposed to a risk of torture, inhuman or degrading treatment."