UK Zimbabwean leader supports Archbishop Sentamu

The General-Secretary of the Council of Zimbabwean Christian Leaders in the UK has accused the British government of “irresponsible denial” and said Minister Phil Woolas is “devoid of empathy.”

02 December 2008

The General-Secretary of the Council of Zimbabwean Christian Leaders in the UK has accused the British government of “irresponsible denial” and said Minister Phil Woolas is “devoid of empathy."

Qobo Mayisa was responding to the Archbishop of York’s comments, directed at Mr Woolas last night at the Evangelical Alliance’s Temple Address event. Dr John Sentamu said there is a lack of mercy shown to Zimbabwean asylum seekers and that they should be allowed to work in the UK.

Mr Mayisa said, “Mr Woolas' statements continue to be mechanical, tabloid focused and devoid of empathy. There can be no fairness in denying the horrible plight of Zimbabweans in order to pose as a hardliner on immigration.”

“The huge crisis in the country resulting in more than 3 million Zimbabweans fleeing the country is well documented. Against this obvious reality, the failure by the British government to grant refuge to the helpless and besieged Zimbabwean community can only be described as irresponsible denial.

“Denial that a Zimbabwean has any human rights that need protection. Denial that sending Zimbabweans back will be equivalent to shipping Jews to the gas chambers of Auschwitz. Denial that keeping Zimbabweans in the United Kingdom while denying them right of abode, right to work and right to healthcare is creating an underclass of destitutes not worthy of state support. The government has to take the lead in encouraging British society to welcome and help Zimbabweans, as has been the tradition of this land, and not ignoring long historical, cultural and Commonwealth ties.

“Zimbabweans are trapped in a no mans’ land. They are not allowed to live or work in Great Britain and yet they cannot return to their own country. We pray for the benevolence of the British people who have a long history of interaction with Zimbabweans. We know that Zimbabweans will appreciate the good Samaritan acts of this great nation. We know that Britain is ready to help a community in need by extending a neighbourly hand to Zimbabweans to become part of this society and contribute their skills and abilities to the nation while waiting for a dawn that is inevitable in their own country.”

Archbishop Sentamu made his comments at the Evangelical Alliance Temple Address held on the evening of 27 November in London. The evening was themed around immigration and community cohesion and included the launch of the campaign “Don’t be a Stranger”, which aims to inspire the British public to welcome outsiders, by telling positive stories where migrants have successfully been welcomed to Britain. The campaign makes resources available and will gather further resources through the website www.nostrangers.org.uk.

Responding to the Archbishop on Thursday evening, Mike Talbot, Chair of the Evangelical Alliance Board, said that the British public also had a responsibility to welcome migrants: “Inviting someone you don’t know to your home for a meal is a great way to build community, and I would like, on behalf of the Alliance, to call on everyone here – no matter your background – to give this a try over this advent and especially Christmas.

“If we realise that we need to re-evaluate who our neighbour is, then we will push ourselves beyond what is comfortable to make space around our table or make enough food for one more plate. After all, we cannot say we love our neighbour unless we positively show that love in action.”