THE UK Border Agency says the general improvement in the country’s political and economic situation since the formation of the inclusive government means that not all Zimbabweans claiming asylum still need international protection.

The Agency was responding to a petition by some asylum seekers which claimed that applications by Zimbabweans were now being rejected without proper consideration.

“The singling out of Zimbabweans in this way is discriminatory and an affront to the principles of protecting the rights of innocent people who are fleeing violence and persecution.

“The Home Office should make a fair assessment of each and every application and, in the case of Zimbabwean asylum seekers, accept that (they) cannot be removed and, therefore grant humanitarian protection … and allow them to live and work in the UK with dignity” the petitioners said.

However the Border Agency said Zimbabwean asylum seekers in the UK are not subject to discriminatory treatment and insisted that each case is considered on its own merits.

The Agency said while initial hearings in some cases involving Zimbabweans had been made against the backdrop of political violence which characterised the 2008 elections, the situation in the country has since changed.

“That violence has now abated and there have been some positive changes in the situation in Zimbabwe over the past six months.

“While a great deal remains to be done to institute the political and other reforms set out in the Global Political Agreement, the formation of the Inclusive Government has led to improvements in the economy, schools and the availability of basic commodities.

“In response to this changed situation some Zimbabweans in the UK are considering returning home to help rebuild their country,” the agency said.

The Agency added that permitting asylum seekers or failed asylum seekers to work is not in line with the UK government policy.

“It is important to maintain the distinction between economic migration and asylum. Giving asylum seekers or failed asylum seekers permission to work would be likely to encourage asylum applications from those without a well-founded fear of persecution.

“A change to the policy on employment would … act as a draw for those who want to come to the UK for economic reasons, compromising the integrity of our asylum system and slowing down the asylum application process for others,” the Agency said.