Parts of the new Immigration Bill before the Dail seriously breach civil liberties, according to the Irish Refugee Council, ail, writes Paul Cullen, Development Correspondent. The council cites one provision which allows for the detention of anyone who starts legal proceedings challenging the validity of a deportation order.
The chairman of the IRC, Mr Derek Stewart, said another provision would force people to sign a document they might not agree to, as failure to do so would result in a fine of £1,500. The traditional presumption of innocence was totally disregarded in that deportation could take place following a charge or indictment before a court, he added.
"The proposed Bill contains no provision for an independent appeals mechanism, legal aid or translation facilities, which are essential in ensuring that asylum applicants are not returned to a country where their life or liberty would be at risk," he said.
The lack of safeguards was compounded by a failure to refer to international and European human rights instruments, he added. In addition, there were no procedures for dealing with separated children. The Bill was published by the Department of Justice last week in response to a Supreme Court decision which found fault with existing legislation on deportations.