The Refugee Action Coalition is urging the Coalition to act quickly to grant a protection visa to the defecting Zimbabwean ambassador to Australian, Jacqueline Zwambila.
“The human rights abuses of Zimbabwe’s dictator Mugabe are well-known,” said Ian Rintoul, spokesperson for the Refugee Action Coalition.
“Even before the July elections, Mugabe’s opponents often disappeared. With Mugabe’s supposed coalition with the MDC at an end, there is no doubt that MDC-aligned ambassador is at risk should she be forced to return to Zimbabwe. The Australian government should act quickly.”
Zwambila’s defection is the highest profile request for asylum since the defection of Chinese diplomat, Chen Yonglin in 2005. Chen obtained a protection visa within three months.
“But as much as we urge Scott Morrison to act quickly, the events surrounding Zwambila’s defection highlight the government’s inconsistencies dealing with issues of protection visas. If a victim of Mugabe’s government arrived by boat, Scott Morrison would refuse to process their protection claim and could send them to Nauru or Manus Island, just as he is doing with asylum seekers from Syria,” said Rintoul.
“There are many asylum seekers arriving by boat with cases as compelling as that of the Zimbabwean ambassador. But under Scott Morrison’s regime there are two rules – one for plane arrivals and another for asylum seekers coming by boat.
“The Zimbabwean ambassador needs protection, and so do all those asylum seekers who arrive by boat.”
For more information contact Ian Rintoul 0417 275 713
