After it became one of the few governments deporting Zimbabwean asylum seekers this year, London has significantly embarrassed in the last few months by such deportees creating ugly scenes at international airports. The tactic has proved effective in several instances, with workers refusing to participate in the deportations, forcing them to be called off. With the mid-May deportation of Catherine Mbele, immigration officials solved the problem — she had her hands and legs handcuffed and was covered with a blanket while carried onto the plane. Many Zimbabweans have complained of abuse at the hands of the guards taking them, but the Home Office has refused to investigate.
From Green Left Weekly, June 1, 2005.
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