McDowell under fire as Afghan hunger strikers face court
Various groups are protesting at Minister for Justice Michael McDowell’s handling of the recent hunger strike situation as 33 Afghan asylum seekers face criminal charges at Kilmainham District Court in Dublin today.
Speaking outside the court, the coalition of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) went on to call for an urgent review of the Department of Justice’s handling of the incident.
Aki Stavrou, director of Integrating Ireland said: “It is shameful that thirty-three men who came to Ireland from Afghanistan to seek asylum and who protested at their treatment in our asylum system have ended up facing criminal charges in court.
“The protest was not a threat, or a stunt, but a desperate plea to the Government to simply recognise the reality of their experiences of the asylum system and to listen to their concerns.”
Rosanna Flynn, of Residents against Racism said: “The men who participated in the protest were expressing a deeply and genuine felt fear that the Irish asylum process would not guarantee their safety and provide them with international protection.”
“The minister’s handling of this situation raises serious questions and concerns. Calling off negotiations after the men had agreed to a safe resolution was irresponsible and dangerous and resulted in an escalation of the situation
“Arresting the men after such an ordeal suggests a confrontational intent on the part of the Department of Justice.”
The group also complained about the media’s portrayal of those involved.
Deirdre Clancy, co-director of the International Refugee Rights Initiative, said: “We are deeply concerned at the damaging way that some sections of the press have portrayed those involved in the hunger strike.”
“We must be careful not to fuel prejudice by irresponsible, inaccurate and sensationalist reporting.”
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