Jean Lambert (Green MEP for London) today welcomed Blunkett's announcement that expulsions of Zimbabwean asylum seekers from Britain will be temporarily halted.
However, she warned that the government must make this temporary suspension permanent. "It would be wholly unacceptable for the government to continue deporting Zimbabwean asylum-seekers to a situation where their lives are clearly in danger", she said.
"Many of these asylum seekers are members of the opposition movement and it is now common knowledge the kind of treatment those opposing President Mugabe are being exposed to - including beatings, torture, political killings, forced evictions and arbitrary arrests".
"The government should have undertaken this reassessment much earlier - the situation in Zimbabwe has deteriorated considerably since last October, when the last assessment was made. These refugees have fled to Britain due to a well-founded fear of persecution at home, and the government must not forget its obligations as a signatory of the 1951 Geneva Convention ".
Mrs Lambert is therefore calling for the UK government to suspend deportations until the Commonwealth Heads of Government agree that people can live in Zimbabwe without fear of oppression or violence.
"It is simply not safe for any person with a history of activity contrary to the Zimbabwean government to return home."
One such refugee, Gerald Mutetiwa - an open critic of the Zimbabwean regime - was deported during the Christmas period, has since been tortured and is in hiding after narrowly escaping with his life.
Jean went on to say "The European Union and its Member States must take a firm stand against what is happening. We should exercise what possible influence we can on the Zimbabwean government to ensure it complies with its legal obligations under international human rights treaties."
ENDS For more information, please contact Gemma Stunden on 0207 407 6269 or Jean on +33 388177507