Letters

Asylum – the law and political expediency

Citizens are entitled to expect that their elected politicians will act logically and with moral integrity

Letters to the Editor. Illustration: Paul Scott

The Irish Times - Letters to the Editor.

Wed May 1 2024 - 00:16

Sir, – The UK Supreme Court, in an evidence-based judgment, concluded that Rwanda is not a safe “third country”. The British government’s response was to pass legislation simply “declaring” Rwanda to be safe and to prevent an aggrieved individual from seeking protection against administrative oppression from an independent judiciary.

There are very many people on this side of the water who are appalled at the stance of the British government and its determination to turn its back on the rule of international law for reasons of political expediency.

The High Court in Ireland has concluded that the UK is not a safe “third country” because of its intention to send asylum seekers to Rwanda. It is desperately disappointing to see that the Irish Government’s response is now to adopt a similar solution to the problem.

If Rwanda is not “safe” then passing legislation stating that it is “safe” is absurd. Citizens in a free democracy are entitled to expect that their elected politicians will act logically and with moral integrity. If they don’t then they should pay the price for their failure at the ballot box. – Yours, etc,

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MARTIN WALSH,

Didsbury,

Manchester,

UK.

Sir, – I see that the Garda Síochána are to be deployed to the Border in reaction to the immigration issue (“Extra gardaí to be redeployed to areas near the Border as part of new measures”, News, April 30th).

I hope that people are not going to criticise the Irish Government, the British government or anyone else over this. I recall gardaí being similarly deployed to the Border during the Covid lockdown and no one said a word. – Yours, etc,

DAVID McCARTER,

Hillsborough,

Co Down.

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