Calls for amnesty for asylum-seekers
An anti-racism demo in Dublin today called for an amnesty for all asylum-seekers living in Ireland for a number of years.
Residents Against Racism spokesperson Rosanna Flynn told the 32-county rally that non-national families should be allowed to stay here if they put down roots in communities.
The National Day Against Racism assembled at the GPO and marched to the Justice Department on St Stephen’s Green.
Ms Flynn said: “Our asylum system is a shambles if it splits up families and allows children to be dragged from their schools and deported.”
“Justice Minister Michael McDowell’s ideological obsession with deporting people makes him unfit to be in charge.
“The system should be taken out of the hands of politicians and run by in independent body similar to the Human Rights Commission.”
Speakers at today’s event included Labour TD Michael D Higgins, Sinn Fein justice spokesman Aengus O Snodaigh, Socialist Party leader Joe Higgins and ATGWU official Mick O’Reilly.
The timing of today’s demo was chosen to coincide with UN World Refugee day on Monday.
Residents Against Racism also called for an overhaul of the work permit system which it claimed exploited immigrant labour.
