Concerns over the government’s treatment of asylum seekers, viewed as ‘punching down’ and ‘scapegoating vulnerable individuals’, are growing, according to organisations assisting the homeless and asylum seekers. There is a concern that this treatment is creating a space for false information. A joint statement expressing “grave worry” about the circumstances faced by all individuals undergoing homelessness, including those seeking international protection, was released during a group press conference on Wednesday. The statement included contributions from more than 30 civilian organisations.
Among the organisations expressing their worries, the Irish Refugee Council, Focus Ireland, the Irish Council for Civil Liberties and Safetynet, a medical charity, expressed particular concern over the predicament of nearly 2,000 male asylum seekers still left without accommodation.
As of December 4th, the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) stopped providing lodging for single male asylum seekers who present themselves at the International Protection Office (IPO). As a consequence, extensive makeshift camps have appeared in Dublin’s city centre, near the IPO and the Grand Canal. These sites are intermittently cleared in multi-agency operations. Up to 100 tents were still present at the canal as of Tuesday.
“Invariably, homelessness is unsafe, detrimental to both physical and mental health, and may lead to sustained negative health impacts,” the group’s joint statement underlined. It later stated, “We refuse to politicise this issue and scapegoat vulnerable people seeking protection.” Continued inaction by the government, along with threats of arrest for those sleeping in tents, is damaging the health of the homeless population, undermining the credibility of Ireland’s international protection process, and providing ammunition for far-right groups, according to the statement.
The government’s inadequate response to the housing and health crises, coupled with its failure to effectively plan for expanded immigration, could lead people to point the finger at ‘the other,’ warns Nick Henderson, CEO of the IRC. He added that a “vacuum” was developing, in which false information could spread. He further criticised the government’s language around the issue as being “at minimum… negligent.”
Referring to frequent government declarations made in previous months about harshening conditions for refugees and asylum seekers, he said that such statements have implications for how the public perceives asylum seekers.
A variety of limitations have been put in place on Ukrainians, such as capping their stay to 90 days, trimming down their welfare benefits, and broadening the “safe countries” categorisation. Further, there has also been a rise in immigration verifications done by the border police. A warning of legal action has been levied against men taking refuge by the canal.
Mr Henderson admonished the government for their linguistic choices, claiming they must understand the ramifications. He urged them not to belittle or attack, but rather to show guidance on these issues and provide clear, factual communication.
Among those providing aid to homeless asylum seekers is Olivia Headon, a student and volunteer. For several months, she has been helping by providing necessities like food, water, tarps to shield tents from the weather, sleeping mats, and clothing. She paints a bleak picture of the men’s living conditions, citing lack of cleanliness, safety, and numerous health complications. Furthermore, they are frequently subjected to harassment, violence, and cruel treatment.
Headon further recounts an incident where a group of young people threw vegetables and potatoes at the men and vandalised a table. She claims to hear a minimum of ten racial slurs every few hours while there and reports of trespassers urinating on the tents or throwing items like eggs. She emphatically declares the area as unsafe.
Nine demands have been put forward by the groups which include providing secure housing to anyone sleeping rough; augmenting the weekly allowance of €113.80 for homeless asylum seekers, and implementation of an audit on all state-owned property, even in wealthier neighbourhoods, to repurpose them into sufficient emergency shelters.