Group demands deported asylum seeker's return
A Nigerian asylum seeker was deported from Ireland today while his appeal was still being processed, an anti-racism pressure group has claimed.
Residents Against Racism is demanding the return of Michael Alabi, who they claim was assaulted during his removal, and a full and open inquiry into his deportation.
Mr Alabi, a political activist from Nigeria, was taken from a hostel in Gardiner Street, Dublin yesterday by officers from the Garda National Immigration Bureau, Residents Against Racism said.
At the time of his deportation, his asylum application had been turned down and his appeal against that decision had not yet been answered, the anti-racism organisation said.
According to Residents Against Racism spokeswoman Rosanna Flynn, Mr Alabi - who had been on hunger strike to protest against his “virtual house arrest” at the hostel – was deported this morning without any of his belongings.
“He was in every way a most intelligent guy and this is a terrible thing which has happened to him,” Ms Flynn said.
“His case hadn’t had its due course and it was currently on appeal.
“We contacted the Refugee Legal Service this morning who confirmed that there had not been a refusal on his appeal and they stated that he should be returned.
“We in Residents Against Racism also demand his immediate return and a full and open inquiry.”
The group is demanding that the asylum process is a human rights issue and should be taken out of the hands of politicians.
Ms Flynn said that Michael McDowell’s comments about bogus asylum seekers, made to an Oireachtas Justice Committee yesterday, had been followed by a “hardening of racist attitudes” within the immigration system.
“His comments yesterday reinforce our demand that the asylum system should be taken out of his hands and placed into the hands of a body such as the Human Rights Commission,” she said.
Residents Against Racism are holding a protest tomorrow outside the Garda National Immigration Bureau in Dublin to demand Mr Alabi’s return to Ireland.
A Garda spokesman said the force did not discuss individual cases but insisted proper protocols were followed during all deportations.
