Another Black Day for the Nigerian community in Ireland
national |
racism & migration related issues |
news report 
Wednesday February 25, 2009 20:13
by Joe Moore - Cork Anti Racism Network
mapuche at eircom dot net
087 2994796
At present a number of Nigerian people are being checked onto a chartered flight to Lagos. These are not holiday makers but people who came to this country to seek refugee status. They are now however victims of the racist policies been implemented by the Irish government. The plane is due to leave at 9.30pm.
The immigration police were busy all day. Nigerian people from around the country were taken into custody in their local garda stations, and then bussed directly to Dublin airport. Amongst those arrested were at least two elderly women and a married man whose wife and three children have been left behind.
This is the second mass deportation to Lagos in the last two months. On December 11th, 56 men, women and children were deported. All this is taking place at a time of savage cut backs in the public service. While there is not enough money to keep hospital wards open, there is no shortage for deportations. This is evidence, if it were needed, of the racist nature of the Irish state.
The Cork Anti Racism Network has recently launched a civil rights campaign for asylum seekers, with four demands,
1. The right to work.
2. The right to third level education.
3. The closure of all deportation centres.
4. No deportations.
This campaign needs the support of all anti racists throughout the state.
Comments (4 of 4)
Jump To Comment: 1 2 3 4Have you ever thought what it would be like to be deported? To know that all you came here for was a better life because the country you come from is unbearable, due to policies by the west, and to find that you are being sent back. These people are not our enemies, they did not ask not to work so they have to get benefits, its the fucking Government who put them in that situation the average Irish gobshite will look and think, 'yeah they're sponging off our country'. We need to embrace these immigrants bring them with us to protests against this government's ridiculous policies and make sure they feel at home here, sure we'd do it for the Irish in th US wouldn't we, why such a hypocritical stance here? Why the double standards? We were once them you know? We're going to be like them again with this crisis we are in, racism is the legacy of capitalism, lets end it along with the capitalist regime.
Irish citizens amounst those deported.
It is a disgrace to our Constitution that all Irish children are not treated equaly.And i am ashamed.
Asylum seekers should not be deported. The very act of deportation is violent and degrading to any human being. As has been stated already, some of those being deported are children born in Ireland - Irish citizens. The separation of families is unjust and inhumane.
We should not forget those responsible for meting out such suffering when it comes to election time.
I would call on all workers of the state, clerical and gardai, to refuse to carry out such orders. Let the Minister who signs the deportation order do his own dirty work. Conscientious objection is lawful for any worker.
it's a pity that we have all forgotten the common adage....do to others just what you would love them to do to you. we all know the irish history, the sufferings, migration etc and now that posterity smiled on the nation, the hearts hardened. nevertheless, i want to remind everyone that the only thing that is constant in life is CHANGE. Lets all deeply search our hearts and in all fairness and honesty, judge whether this inhumanity to fellow beings is a necessary, worthy and justifiable cause. thank you.
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