A-Infos (en) Anti-deportation protest in Dublin

[anarchy_irl <anarchy_irl@geocities.com>]

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Ireland: Protesters of several nationalities 
picketed the Department of Justice on Saturday to 
oppose the threatened deportation of asylum-
seekers. The demonstration, organised by the Anti-
Racism Campaign, also heard calls for the 
implementation of the Refugee Act and free access 
to the State for asylum-seekers. 

----
Report from 'The Irish Times' 
Protesters condemn asylum stance 
By Roddy O'Sullivan
----

Some 80 protesters chanted slogans including 
"O'Donoghue hear us loud and clear, refugees are 
welcome here!" and "Deportations no way, refugees 
are here to stay!". 

The demonstration was attended by the leader of the 
Socialist Party, Mr Joe Higgins TD, who criticised 
as "outrageous" the attitude of the Department of 
Justice to asylumseekers. 

He said it had been claimed that 90 per cent of the 
applicants for refugee status were considered 
bogus, "before these people's cases are even 
heard."

"In the 1980s, tens of thousands of our own people 
were illegal in the United States. We had 
politicians crossing the Atlantic every month 
begging for them to be made legal. The very least 
we can do is to afford the same to the people who 
have sought refuge here". 

Mr Khalid Ibrahim of the Association of Refugees 
and Asylum-Seekers in Ireland said welcoming 
asylum-seekers was "part of Ireland's international 
responsibility".

He said many asylum-seekers were being sent back 
from ports of entry without access to the services 
of a translator or legal aid. "Most of the staff of 
the asylum division of the Department of Justice 
work very hard and are friendly to asylum-seekers. 
The greater problem is a mentality that fails to 
treat refugees with respect and fairness.

"It's not a question of who is a refugee and who is 
bogus. Nobody will flee his or her country without 
a strong reason, and in most cases the reason is 
political", Mr Ibrahim said.

A kilted Scottish rugby fan, who was in Dublin for 
the match with Ireland, took part in the protest 
with enthusiasm. Mr Malcolm Tahner from Edinburgh 
said he felt he should demonstrate against "the 
madness of deportation". "There are people with 
chips on their shoulder who blame refugees for 
everything. As far as I'm concerned there's enough 
room and enough employment in both Ireland and 
Scotland for everyone".

Members of the Anti-Racism Campaign, who organised 
Saturday's protest, say their supporters include 
members "of different political organisations and 
of none" but are supported by the Socialist Party, 
the Workers' Solidarity Movement and the Anti-Nazi 
League.

Photo at 
http://www.irish-times.com/irish-times/graphics/0298/hom/demo.jpg 
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            Struggle in Ireland
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