Madam, – I fully concur with Andrew Spearman (July 6th). I am appalled at the way asylum- seekers are treated in Ireland. Since I was 18 years of age, I have been fighting for civil rights and have been an “advocate” for a young asylum-seeker for more than five years, trying to get him “status”. He is now like a member of our family.
I wrote to the then Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Michael McDowell on many occasions and also to the present Minister, Dermot Ahern. To date I have not received a reply from either.
I have also been to the Refugee Legal Service in Dublin many times with this young refugee. As yet there is still no decision on his status.
The young refugee cannot return to Afghanistan. His father was shot by the Taliban and is seriously ill, his grandfather was murdered, his uncle was murdered and only two weeks ago his cousin was murdered by them just before he was due to be married. This refugee’s life is in danger should he be sent back. All he wants is to be able to live a normal life, which is something he has never had. You only have to read the history of Afghanistan to see what its people have had to endure.
In the Refugee Act 1996 it states in part, “A ‘refugee’ means a person who, owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reason of race, religion, nationality . . . is unable or, owing to such fear is unwilling to avail himself or herself of the protection of that country.” This applies to my “refugee”.
I cannot understand why the Government is treating refugees/asylum-seekers as cattle. Whatever the reason, it is inhumane and a disgrace.
My ancestors lost everything when their house was burned to the ground in Donegal, because they wouldn’t change their faith, and they became refugees. More of my ancestors died fighting for Ireland. Now I wonder what did they die for? They would be horrified to see what is happening now. If America didn’t accept the Irish refugees in the past, what would have happened to them? Look around the world and you can see how our ancestors are scattered in other countries. I love my country, but I am ashamed of what the Government is doing and just hope it can take stock of what it will do to the refugees living in Mosney. – Yours, etc,