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UNHCR urges South Africa to halt Zimbabwean deportations
reuters ^ | 7/11/8

Posted on 07/11/2008 6:51:04 AM PDT by NativeNewYorker

GENEVA (Reuters) - The U.N. refugee agency urged South Africa on Friday to stop mass deportations of Zimbabwean migrants, since some of those deported may be asylum seekers who have fled violence and political persecution at home.

South Africa has deported some 17,000 Zimbabweans in the last 40 days alone through the main border crossing at Beit Bridge, despite the UNHCR's appeal in late May, the agency said.

"Our concern is that with these refugees who are fleeing political violence and upheaval in Zimbabwe, they could be at risk of being sent back to danger if they are caught up in this large-scale deportation," Jennifer Pagonis of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) told a news briefing.

President Robert Mugabe claimed victory in a presidential run-off vote on June 27, boycotted by opposition candidate Morgan Tsvangirai because of campaign violence.

Since then, a growing number of Zimbabwean families have crossed into South Africa "as a result of political violence, with several people showing signs of beatings or torture", Pagonis said.

(Excerpt) Read more at africa.reuters.com ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs
KEYWORDS: africa; immigration; southafrica; un; unhcr; zim; zimbabwe

1 posted on 07/11/2008 6:51:07 AM PDT by NativeNewYorker
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To: NativeNewYorker

South Africa can deport Zimbabweans, but we’re uncivilized when we deport Mexicans?


2 posted on 07/11/2008 7:29:16 AM PDT by popdonnelly (Does Obama know ANYONE who likes America, capitalism, or white people?)
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To: popdonnelly

This is so rich, any comments from Mandela or TuTu?


3 posted on 07/11/2008 7:53:58 AM PDT by bigfootbob
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To: popdonnelly
South Africa can deport Zimbabweans, but we’re uncivilized when we deport Mexicans?

Of course.

We're eeee-vile.

/sarcasm

4 posted on 07/11/2008 8:51:35 AM PDT by Ole Okie (Who are you going to believe anyway, Gore or your lyin' eyes?)
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