Sir. The media have concentrated much on the issue of refugees in Ireland. This phenomenon is not new. Ireland is just behind the times. I also note with disgust the closet racism of references in some published letters to "bogus asylum seekers", "economic refugees", "Garda surveillance" and "Ireland being a small state which can only accept a certain number of refugees due to its limited resources".
So, what happened to the Celtic Tiger? What about Denmark (comparable to Ireland in size, population and economy)? It seems to manage with the so called "refugee problem". Are we seeing the ugly head of neoNazi thought appearing in Ireland? (Let us not forget Ireland's atrocious response to the Jewish people during the "Emergency".)
Most of the asylum seekers enter this country and other countries in droves due to the increase in state sponsored violence in a large number of states. If deported back, and on a lucky day, those unfortunates would be executed! Ireland has not ratified UNCAT (The United Nations Convention against torture, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment) and is the only EU state not to have done so (by the way, Albania has). Had UNCAT been ratified, it would have obliged the State to train and educate all gardai, military and civilian officials dealing with matters of asylum and immigration and the medical profession on the various sensitive physical and psychological traumas suffered by the asylum seekers. Without UNCAT ratified, Ireland can deport non nationals back to countries where they may face torture or execution!.
People do not leave home, kith and kin for the enjoyment of it, nor for the Irish welfare services. (Ironically, a refugee or asylum seeker is not allowed to acquire employment in Ireland until a decision is made on whether or not they are allowed to stay in the country. The State therefore asks the asylum seeker or refugee to avail of the welfare system.) They leave either because they are forced to flee for their lives or because they have been traumatised or severely tortured in their countries of origin.
Racism is on the rise in Ireland. The new right (read: neofascists) are on the march in various European countries and hold regional and European seats of parliament. Irish migrants found themselves seeking succour and support at ports and airports in America, Australia and Britain in the past. Many are economic migrants and many are illegal aliens in the US. A little more understanding of the facts is called for. Yours, etc.,
Spokesperson and General
Secretary,
The Iraqi Human Rights
Organisation in Ireland, Dublin 1.