Sir, - Paul Cullen's account (The Irish Times May 5th) of a Burundian family currently facing deportation presents powerful evidence - and Minister O' Donoghue, how much more evidence do you need? - to support calls for the immediate extension of an amnesty to all asylum seekers in this country. This family has survived violence and terror in their war-torn country of origin and racist intimidation in Germany. Despite the horrors to which they have been subjected, they show remarkable strength and resilience as they attempt to make a life for themselves in Ireland. However, instead of offering them the welcoming hand of friendship or of providing the support services to which they should be entitled, the Irish State commits itself to policies that only exacerbate their suffering. Abuse is piled upon abuse, deportation is threatened, and these "refined and peaceful people" face an uncertain future in countries that have shown them hostility in the past.
Can the Minister for Justice really believe that, because they arrived first in Germany, Ireland is now free to abdicate all responsibility for protecting the family? It is galling to watch how the Irish Government cynically uses the rulings of the Dublin Convention to justify racist exclusion practices. On St Patrick's Day, many of our public representatives travelled to the US to ostentatiously celebrate the achievements of the Irish Diaspora and to speak on behalf of the thousands of Irish immigrants in that country. Meanwhile those same Government representatives support restrictive policies that silence vulnerable immigrants to Ireland, policies that create an ugly monocultural image of the Irish state.
Fortunately, Irish people are showing their opposition to the exclusion that is being practised in our name. Recent demonstrations in Cork, Dublin and other centres around the country have sent loud and unequivocal messages to the Fianna Fail/PD administration. We want an end to deportations and we demand a right to work for all asylum seekers. Groups such as the Cork-based Immigrant Solidarity (of which I am a member) will continue to campaign on these issues. It is heartening to note that a growing number of individuals and community groups, in Ireland and abroad, are actively supporting the campaigns against deportations. Although Carinie Barwendere, Joseph Ntidendereza and their children have suffered enough, they are forced to tell and retell their story to have any hope of remaining here. This is unacceptable. A home, safety and peace of mind are rights not privileges. Minister O'Donoghue and his Government colleagues have the power to extend these rights to this family and the twenty-three (or more?) asylum seekers who already have received deportation notices. An amnesty is an important first step and must be granted immediately. - Yours, etc., Rosie R Meade
St Anthony's Villas, Old Youghal Road, Cork