Sir, - The Northern Ireland Council for Ethnic Minorities wishes to register its opposition to what it views, at the very least, as arbitrary and grossly unfair and on a more serious level as Ireland's derogation from its obligations under the terms of international human rights law.
As the representative voice of ethnic minorities in Northern Ireland, NICEM is very concerned about the implications of these changes for individual asylum seekers and for race relations and the positive developments being made in this area as the European Year Against Racism draws to a close. Have all the promises to rid Europe and the world of the destructive effects of racism and xenophobia been abandoned by the Irish Government?
Of particular concern is the scrapping of plans to have asylum applications dealt with by an independent body and instead to leave this to a group of officials in the Department of Justice. The words impartiality and independence certainly do not spring to mind. One would, of course, expect that these officials would be experienced, skilled and highly trained in the field of asylum and international human rights law. This is the very least that could be expected given the seriousness of the issues involved in asylum applications.
Asylum seekers have suffered persecution, harassment and very often physical torture. Some have lost close family members and friends. They are forced to leave their home and country and flee to what is perceived as "safety". Ireland has a responsibility under international law to provide a safe haven for these individuals. The question now is whether the Irish Government is accepting responsibility or whether it has chosen to ignore its obligation. By proposing to introduce this new "fast track" procedure, the Government is sending out a clear message to all current and prospective asylum seekers, who already face an uncertain future, that they are not welcome in Ireland.
At first glance it would also seem that in formulating this new policy the Irish Government has blatantly ignored many of the fundamental principles of human rights enshrined in the European Convention on Human Rights, such as equal recognition under the law, the right to a fair hearing and the right to asylum as guaranteed by articles 6, 7 and 10. There is also the right not to be discriminated against on the grounds of race, religion, gender and political beliefs.
Surely such policies and attitudes should send a shiver up the spines of most self-respecting Irish people.
The Minister for Justice must be challenged about these unfair, draconian and arbitrary measures before they are allowed to enter the statute books to be used unjustly against people who have already experienced unimaginable suffering. NICEM is urging the people of Ireland, North and South, both at home and abroad to register their objections to the Government's proposals for "fast tracking". The proposals have already met with wholesale condemnation from national and international human rights organisations and continual pressure must be brought to bear on the Irish Government to prevent their implementation. - Yours, etc.,
Co-ordinator, NICEM, Botanic Avenue, Belfast.