A LEGAL practice for refugees in Bury says its clients face intimidation and torture after the Government decided to resume forced deportations to Zimbabwe.

Bury Law Centre says that more than a dozen political refugees in the town face the possibility of repatriation and reprisals after a move it brands as 'bizarre'.

The Government this month lifted its 2002 suspension on deportations, stating there was clear evidence that the policy had been exploited.

But the Knowsley Street centre says that genuine refugees are now living in renewed fear of persecution at the hands of president Robert Mugabes regime.

Practice manager John Nicholson says that appeals and complex applications are often refused funding by the Legal Service Commision.

As a result, he says, Burys Zimbabwean refugees may not have had a chance for their case to be heard fully before being sent back to the African state.

Mr Nicholson said: 'Clearly these are people who have fled Robert Mugabes regime in fear for their own safety.

'They may be members of the opposition party and have often faced persecution, torture or imprisonment by the regime or its supporters.

'The decision seems bizarre because untill now Zimbabwe has been seen as a difficult country by the Government.

'With a general election looming the Government is determined to hoist the deportation figures skywards, but behind every cold statistic there is an individual in need.'

Immigration minister Des Browne said that returns would still be considered on a case-by-case basis, and that those most in need would continue to receive assistance.

He said: 'We need to stop this abuse while continuing to offer protection to genuine refugees.

'This change in asylum policy does not reflect any change in our opposition to human rights abuses in Zimbabwe.'