Speakers include the FCO Minister for Africa, Henry Bellingham, MP, and the British
Ambassador to Harare, Mark Canning. The two are expected to give their view of the political, economic and humanitarian situation in Zimbabwe and an outline of Her Majesty’s Government (HMG) policy towards Zimbabwe. Most of the time allocated is open to questions and comments from the Zimbabwean
audience.
On the 27th October, there was a meeting at Lancaster House where officials from the UKBA
and FCO announced to some Zimbabweans, the Written Ministerial Statement of resumption
of enforced removals to Zimbabwe after the discharge of the country guidance case before
the courts.
In that Lancaster House meeting, the ZDFG asked HMG to commit to a meeting with the
portfolio of immigration and asylum, made up of all UK based Zimbabwean organisations that
deal with immigration and asylum issues, led by the Zimbabwe Association (ZA).
The UKBA agreed to have the special meeting specifically to address the removal policy after
ZDFG has had an opportunity to consult all Zimbabweans affected by this policy change.
The meeting of the 8th November with Minister Bellingham and Ambassador Manning should
not be confused with the special immigration meeting that is to be held as soon as
consultation is complete. This consultation is being co-ordinated by the ZDFG immigration
portfolio lead, the ZA through Sarah Harland and Patson Muzuwa, and Linda Bikinesi in the
ZDFG secretariat.
The meeting of the 8th November is therefore not intended as the follow-up meeting on
enforced returns, as this will take place later in the month at the Home Office.
This meeting on the 8th November is open to all Zimbabweans, and others who have a specific
interest in Zimbabwe.
The FCO has assured the ZDFG that the room booked in the FCO can seat over 100 people so
there should not be an issue over lack of space. Zimbabweans are encouraged to attend.
As participants will need to be issued with a security pass on arrival at the FCO, HMG is
strongly urging attendees to send their name to me (Margaret.belof@fco.gov.uk so that these
can be prepared in advance.
Attendees are also urged to arrive 10-15 minutes in advance to ensure they can be present at
the start of the meeting, which will begin promptly at 14.00
ZDFG chairperson, Lucia Dube said: “At times like these, it is important that Zimbabweans
attend these forums to engage our hosts directly.
“We should move away from the unacceptable situation where a few people have always
claimed to speak on behalf of Zimbabweans without consulting them.
“As the ZDFG, our aim is to ensure that every Zimbabwean voice is heard, no-matter how
small or diverse. This is about people’s lives.”
