Madam, - There has been considerable media coverage recently of the behaviour of immigration officers towards foreign nationals at Dublin airport - in particular, the extremely disturbing treatment of Rev John Achebe.
Rev Achebe, despite having a valid tourist visa and other identity documents, was strip-searched in front of other prisoners and prison officers, denied access to legal counsel, forced to share a cell and open toilet with four other prisoners at Cloverhill prison and then taken back to Dublin Airport to await deportation. Had it not been for the intervention of the Nigerian Ambassador, the deportation would have gone ahead.
Many Irish people are outraged and upset that innocent visitors to our country could receive such degrading and unwarranted treatment in violation of their human rights.
We at the Irish Refugee Council of course recognise that immigration officers must be efficient and effective in carrying out their duties. However they must also at all times respect the privacy and integrity of every individual regardless of his or her nationality.
The Immigration Residence and Protection Bill 2008 is currently being debated in the Dáil. Unfortunately, rather than using this as an opportunity to make current procedures fairer and more transparent, the Minister for Justice plans to extend the powers of immigration officers. An immigration officer will be able to "detain and examine" anyone whom they "reasonably suspect to be a foreign national". There is no time limit attached to this detention nor is there any recourse to a lawyer.
Furthermore, where it appears to an immigration officer that a foreign national is unlawful, he or she can be deported without notice. This is a draconian provision in blatant violation of international law. Moreover, if someone is refused "leave to land" at a port, there is no right of appeal and generally the reason for refusal cannot be obtained. This may also affect people seeking asylum.
We call for all immigration officers to come within the remit of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission so they can be held accountable for their decisions. Furthermore it is essential that detailed regulations are devised, setting out standards that immigration officers have to comply with, particularly in the area of deportations.
This is a timely opportunity for the Minister to restore faith in the Irish immigration system as the points referred to above are debated in the Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights next week. This is also an opportunity for people who are interested to come along and listen to the debate. - Yours, etc,
ROBIN HANAN,
Chief Executive,
CAOIMHE SHERIDAN,
Legal Officer,
Irish Refugee Council,
Aston Quay,
Dublin 2.