NGOs Commend peaceful ending of protest by Afghani Asylum seekers

national | racism & migration related issues | press release

Monday May 22, 2006 11:14

by Mark Grehan - Residents Against Racism

This is the press release sent out by several of the NGO's who were involved supporting the men. Needless to say ,the governments version of events is a total fabrication. Further details will be released shortly

A coalition of NGOs today commended the peaceful ending ensured by the Afghan asylum seekers of their hunger strike and protest at St Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin.

"Last night asylum seekers acted courageously to avert an escalation of confrontation with the government", said Aki Stavrou, Director of Integrating Ireland, an independent alliance of 210 organisations dedicated to protecting the rights of migrants. "It is a matter of deep concern that proposals brokered by the Church of Ireland on Friday night, and put to the men were later repudiated by the Department of Justice. We understand that the emerging agreement had been achieved through negotiations with Government officials and was only withdrawn at the final stages.

"Here was a unique opportunity here to craft an honorable and dignified solution" said Rosanna Flynn, of Residents Against Racism. "Taking this approach with the men at such a delicate point was an irresponsible act, escalating the crisis. Equally reprehensible was the Government's subsequent instruction to the Church of Ireland to withdraw from all negotiations with the protestors. It suggests a confrontational intent on the part of the Department of Justice."
On Saturday, in the face of the growing desperation and deteriorating health situation of the men, a coalition of NGOs worked to generate a support package. This included guarantees of legal and social assistance to provide an opportunity to the asylum seekers to highlight their plight and clearly demonstrate their need for protection.

We emphasise that the men themselves made the decision last night to leave the cathedral further to reaching consensus with the NGOs and were not forcibly removed. We believe that Afghan asylum seekers who participated in this protest were expressing a genuine and deeply felt fear that the Irish asylum process would not guarantee their safety. Theirs was neither a threat, nor a stunt, but a plea to the government to recognize the reality of their experiences of the asylum system.

Integrating Ireland
International Refugee Rights Initiative
Tralee Refugee Support Services
Residents against Racism

For further information contact:
Aki Stavrou on 087 7847310
Rosanna Flynn on 087 6662060