Press Release: Justice  16  May 2006

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Dún Laoghaire, Environment, Justice and Latest Press Releases

16 May 2006

Greens welcome decision by Department of Justice to meet with Afghani Hunger Strikers

- calls on hunger strikers to take fluids to avoid long-term medical damage

The Green Party has welcomed reports that officials from the Department of Justice will meet with Afghanistan nationals who are on hunger strike in St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin.  

Green Party Justice spokesperson Ciarán Cuffe TD said:  “I am pleased with the news that the Department will meet with the men. I spent an hour in the Cathedral today. The medical personnel that I spoke too were very concerned that the men and children were not taking fluids. They felt that this could lead to rapid organ failure. 

“I spoke with one individual who had been jailed in Afghanistan, and who fears for his life if he is returned there. 

“I want the Minister for Justice to explain why he is turning down applications for refugee status for these men, while the Department of Foreign Affairs advises* people not to travel to Afghanistan.  “This case once again highlights the problematic nature of the refugee appeals system in Ireland.  The Refugee Appeals Tribunal is famous for the secrecy under which it operates and the lack of transparency surrounding its decision making process.  The Minister appoints the members of the Tribunal and there is no independent selection or interview procedure.  Furthermore, the Tribunal is at variance with similar bodies internationally in that it does not publish its decisions or release any statistics on the records of individual members.  It is time that this veil of secrecy is lifted from the refugee appeals system.  What we need is an open, transparent and fair appeals system”, he concluded.

 “I want the children to give up their hunger strike immediately. In addition, I believe that the men should take fluids, as they are in grave danger of long-term medical damage."

*NOTE:

http://www.dfa.ie/services/traveladvice/01.asp “The Department of Foreign Affairs advises against all non-essential travel to Kabul and against all travel to other parts of Afghanistan. The security situation in Afghanistan remains serious and the threat to Westerners from terrorist or criminal violence, including kidnappings, remains high. Irish citizens travelling to Kabul are urged to exercise extreme caution and vigilance throughout their visit.”

Previous press releases on this issue: 

Green Party reiterates call for McDowell to meet with Afghani hunger strikers   

Green Party calls on McDowell to meet with Afghani Hunger Strikers