QUESTION NOS: 86, 88, 89 & 102
DÁIL QUESTIONS addressed to the Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald) by Deputy Catherine Connolly
Thursday, 23rd February, 2017. Continue reading
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URGENT APPEAL TO ASYLUM SEEKER SUPPORT & ADVOCACY NGOS RE. INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION APPLICATION DEADLINE CLARIFICATION & EXTENSION Continue reading
PRESS RELEASE
Controversial legislation which was guillotined through the Dail by Minister Frances Fitzgerald in December 2015 is this weekend causing extreme distress and confusion for hundreds of people caught within Ireland’s notorious direct provision system. Continue reading
6.1 International and European law provides for the granting of international protection to those who cannot return to their country of origin because they have a well-founded fear of persecution or are at risk of being ill treated or subjected to other serious harm. Individuals who apply for international protection and are awaiting a decision on that application are referred to as asylum seekers. Continue reading
Dear Minister,
Last week the 23rd August 2016 we learned with shock of the tragic death of a young Korean resident in the Kinsale Road Accommodation Centre in Cork. We first of all once again extend our deepest condolences to her family and friends. Our thoughts and prayers remain with her and her loved ones who are struggling to comprehend this terrible event. Continue reading
On Tuesday the 23rd August 2016, we learnt with shock and regret the passing away of a young Korean mother who resided at Kinsale Road Accommodation Centre at about 8:15pm. Circumstances that lead to her death are still not accurately clear at this stage as we believe an autopsy still needs to be conducted. From our talks with her close friends and residents, the body of this young mother was discovered by the security in her room just behind her door. We can’t disclose further confirmed details at this stage.
Residents at the centre got together on Wednesday the 24th August 2016 to discuss the incident and to decide on the way forward to deal with the situation as a group. One official for CCP also attended this meeting to offer her support to the residents. It was evident from the meeting that residents were aggrieved, shocked, sad and angry about the situation and the way they felt it was being handled. Continue reading
This week Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald claimed that the inhumane system of Direct Provision is “here to stay.” She said this in spite of the universal recognition that this system is not fit for purpose and seriously violates our human rights. The effects of Direct Provision on those of us experiencing it are long-lasting and multiple: poverty, social exclusion, malnutrition and lack of access to education and developmental opportunities.
To reform or not to reform, that is a question:
This is the breeder to hate
This is the breeder of poverty
This is the breeder of racism
Give me education department, I will reform it; give me Health services department I will reform it; give me Justice Department I will reform it. But don’t try and reform a system that is not meant for good purpose that is not meant for long term that is not meant to keep people for many years and destroy their lives. Direct Provision is just a system that was never meant to exist from the word go. Whoever came with this idea the first time must have been misguided somehow. So how on earth can you begin to reform such a system which has no future on society? When Direct Provision was initially introduced in Ireland in 2000, it was a system that was supposed to be in existence only for six months. As soon as it started it was evident that it was a system that was not going to work. Even the then Minister of Justice and Equality agreed that it was not the cleverest of the decision the government made.
This letter was sent by MASI to the Irish Times last week, signed by MASI activists in direct provision detention in Clare, Cork, Limerick, and Portlaoise. Unfortunately the letter was not published so we are publishing here. We saw an article the next day in the Irish Times announcing that four writers had received awards for their writing about Direct Provision.
And they keep getting awards out of our misery, but we are still here suffering.