Last Friday we saw the far right attempt to intimidate refugees who are living in tents outside the International Protection Office. United Against Racism and People Before Profit were part of a counter-demonstration that stood in solidarity with the refugees which saw the evening pass without incident.
This Saturday, 27th April at 2 PM there will be a large solidarity demonstration with the Refugees at the IPO, supported by local residents and volunteers. The policy of the state to refuse to house male asylum seekers is responsible for the humanitarian crisis that is unfolding.
There is no good reason for over 1,000 refugees to sleep on Irish streets while there are approximately 5,000 empty beds within the IPAS system and 166,000 vacant houses in the country. The argument that there is no capacity is false. It is the same argument made to defend the disgraceful housing crisis in Ireland. We reject it.
We have the capacity to house the 13,500 homeless people in Ireland, AND those who come to our shores seeking asylum. The Irish state appears to be purposely trying to create difficult and inhumane conditions for asylum seekers, in the hopes of deterring others from seeking asylum here. This disgraceful treatment of asylum seekers is a direct contravention of our obligations under International Human Rights Law.
Seeking asylum is a human right.
Join us in calling on the government, in particular the Green Party’s Roderic O’Gorman, to take immediate steps to rectify this situation.
