Asylum seekers held demonstrations in several towns across the State today to highlight the long delays in deciding their cases and the poor living conditions at accommodation centres.
The protests coincided with an August 31st deadline set by the Reception and Integration Agency, which is responsible for the care of asylum seekers, for 109 residents at Mosney to move to a different asylum hostel in Dublin.
Up to 80 asylum-seekers demonstrated outside Mosney this morning over the transfer orders made to the residents to move to Hatch Hall in Dublin.
Speaking this morning, one of the residents said: "I've been in Mosney for five years. I have a medical problem with my leg, and I don't want to move. I'm just not sure what is going to happen now."
There was no comment from Mosney management in relation to the protest, which lasted some two hours.
The chief executive of the Irish Refugee Council, Sue Conlan, went into Mosney with a delegation to take witness statements following a search of residents' rooms last week. The council is investigating whether the searches initiated by the Reception and Integration Agency were legal.
Organisers of the protest said yesterday the demonstrations were aimed at raising awareness about the plight facing thousands of asylum seekers, who are forced to live in limbo for several years in unsuitable hostels.
“The direct provision system, especially when enforced to someone for too long, slowly but gradually destroys the person’s ability physically and mentally thus, rendering some disabled,” said Ivo Muma, a member of the residents’ committee at Mosney.
He said the protests had been given added poignancy following the tragic death of an asylum seeker in Cork at the weekend. The 28-year-old man from the Democratic Republic of Congo, who first claimed asylum in 2008, was staying at the Glenvera hostel.
“The cause of death and any related issues are a matter for the coroner and those health professionals involved,” said the Reception and Integration Agency.
At least 47 asylum seekers have died while living in direct provision centres over the past decade. No records are kept by the agency on cause of death in these cases.
More than 6,000 people live in a network of 50 asylum centres across the State. They have no right to work and they live on a welfare payment of €19.10 a week.
Mr Muma said asylum seekers wanted to work and pay tax and be productive rather than sitting around for years unable to work.
“There are doctors, lawyers, clergymen, politicians, loving parents, talented artists, disabled people, bright, adorable but hopeless children all camped together for years unending,” he said.
Asylum seekers at Mosney, Limerick, Carrick-on-Suir, Tramore, Co Waterford, and Galway plan to hold peaceful demonstrations today to campaign to reform the asylum system. The NGOs Residents Against Racism and Irish Refugee Council say they are both supporting the demonstrations.
“The way asylum seekers are treated in this country is like they are criminals,” said Rosanna Flynn of Residents Against Racism. “There needs to be changes made to accommodation to bring it up a proper standard with bad hostels shut down. The time people wait for a decision must also be addressed.”
Organisers of the protest say they want Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern to reform the asylum system to speed up decision-making and improve conditions at direct provision accommodation centres. They also want clarity regarding claims the Government will review the asylum cases of all people living here for five years or more. The Irish Refugee Council said it was initially told a review would take place but officials have backtracked on this.
In a statement last night, the Reception and Integration Agency said its accommodation system was similar to the models used throughout the EU.
“The Irish model is of a high standard and compares favourably with any such service provided elsewhere in the EU,” the agency said. “Accommodation provided by the State to asylum seekers must comply with all relevant regulatory requirements for such accommodation and related services.”