"Let Us Stay, Let Us Work"

national | racism & migration related issues | news report

Tuesday April 19, 2005 22:04

by veeg

Nigerian hunger-strikers protest at Dáil

More than 60 Nigerian hunger-strikers took their protest to the Dáil today, supported by Residents Against Racism.

The demonstration followed last Wednesday’s distribution of official letters to asylum-seekers housed at two city-centre hostels requiring them to sign on there twice daily – at 10am and 5pm. This condition, which is being enforced by officials from the Garda National Immigration Bureau, was today condemned by RAR’s Rosanna Flynn as imposing ‘virtual house arrest’. She explained that many of those affected are fathers of Irish-born children whose families have been dispersed to other towns and cities; the new requirements make it impossible for them to maintain contact.

Those refusing food expressed a fear that these latest moves are a pre-cursor to another mass deportation and emphasised that they simply want to be allowed to work and contribute to Irish society, something they are barred from doing under current regulations.

The protest received messages of support from TDs representing Sinn Fein, Labour, the Socialist Party and the Greens. Addressing the crowd, Joe Costello announced that he was due to see the Minister For Justice during the afternoon and would be raising concerns over both the content of the letters and the patently confused operation of the immigration and asylum system which recent developments highlight.

In an impromptu move, the hunger-strikers then continued their lively protest with a march on to the Ministry of Justice.

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Residents Against Racism announced that it will be undertaking work to highlight ongoing gross human rights abuses in Nigeria, condemning the present government policy of regarding the Central African state as a ‘safe’ country when assessing asylum claims.

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Comments (4 of 4)

Nigeria unsafe?

by TOTLE

Sun May 22, 2005 01:24

Since Nigeria is seen to be unsafe by Residents against Racism then the 100+ million citizens should be allowed to live and work in Ireland

No parents of Irish children should be forcibly removed from this country

by Sinn Féin

Wed Apr 20, 2005 14:39

No parents of Irish children should be forcibly removed from this country
Published: 19 April, 2005

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Justice, Equality and Human Rights, Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD has called on the Minister for Justice to make "an explicit commitment that no Irish child will be deprived of the care and company of their parents as the result of a deportation order made by him."

Deputy Ó Snodaigh raised the issue in the Dáil today after a protest was held at the gates of Leinster House by the Residents Against Racism against the policy of 'fast track' and mass deportations to Nigeria and in support of more than 70 Nigerian fathers of Irish children who commenced a hungerstrike in protest last week.

more:
http://www.sinnfein.ie/news/detail/9259

Solidarity from Australia

by Starstruck - DGN

Wed Apr 20, 2005 06:52

Yet another example of McDowells racist agenda and continuing attempts at creating anti-immigrant sentiment amongst fellow Irish citizens.

This agenda of categorising real people who have every right to travel,work and find a better life for themselves and their families as "illegal" is one that is becoming more and more prevalent in "developed"countries around the world.

Here in Australia,the right wing Government of John Howard's Liberal(!) Party have similar,if not even more drachonian policies towards these people,even though the nation of Australia itself is a nation of immigrants.

Indeed,a nation founded upon the bloodshed and persecution of the idigenous Aboriginal population.

The Howard government has constructed dtention centres for the "safe housing" of those wishing to work while their applications afre" being processed".These centres amount to prisons with those inside being of all ages subject to abhorrent conditions for periods of up to three years.

Although this has gone unnoticed to most of theAustralias population,several left wing and civil liberties organisations hjave been attempting to publicise and fight the issue.

Recently a direct action protest took place at one such centre at Baxter in Port Augusta South Australia,details of which can be found at http://baxter05.info/?action=default

Solidarity to all thos eon Hunger strike on Gardiner St,all those facong illegal deportation as welll as RAR and all opther groups fighting with and for these Irish people.

Today's Protest by Hunger Strikers and Supporters

by redjade - sans-digital :-(

Tue Apr 19, 2005 22:50

read above for report