Sir, - The Platform Against Racism, an independent initiative of NGOs working collectively to address racial discrimination experienced by Travellers, refugees, black Irish, Jewish people and other racialised minority groups, would like to take the opportunity on the UN Day Against Racism and Racial Discrimination to voice its concern about the continued racism being experienced by asylum-seekers refugees.
The racism they endure at an individual, institutional and societal level is exacerbated by the continued lack of clear, independent and full statutory asylum procedures in the State, due to the lack of the full implementation of the 1996 Refugee Act as passed by both houses of the Oireachtas. As provisions for deportation are currently being debated in the Dail in relation to the Immigration Bill 1999, there is a risk that deportation will become statutory before asylum safeguards and guarantees.
We believe that if Ireland is to become an inclusive, intercultural society, the skills and experience of the asylum community will have to be recognised through granting asylum-seekers the right to work. Work is one of the keys to social integration.- Yours, etc., Ronit Lentin, TCD and Sarah McCan,
Irish Refugee Council, Platform Against Racism, North Great Charles Street, Dublin.