British immigration authorities have decided to deny asylum to more than one thousand Zimbabweans living in the country and to expel them from the country. The Home Office has decided that the asylum seekers face no risk of danger if they return to Zimbabwe, which is prima facie absurd. Zimbabwe is a pariah state — one need look no further than British leaders’ own statements on the matter — and thus by definition forcing Zimbabweans back into the maw of Robert Mugabe's rule is irresponsible and indefensible.
Pithy condemnation and finger wagging without a concomitant commitment to a policy of protecting people from those at whom the stetements are aimed and fingers are waved represents the worst form of opportunistic grandstanding. The Brits must reconsider this grossly unacceptable plan to send those who have escaped Zimbabwe back to that country, especially on the eve of an election that runs the risk of descending into chaos.