Dear Sir/Madam,
As a consortium of entities focused on the safeguarding of human rights across Ireland, particularly with reference to migrants and asylum-seekers, we express our profound disapproval of the harsh measures adopted by the UK government towards those seeking global shelter, including the Rwanda plan, an action that directly contradicts its national judiciary and international legislation.
The Minister of Justice in Ireland’s response has been one of issuing dubious and unsubstantiated remarks regarding international protection applications from the land boundary, resulting in the questionable reassignment of 100 policemen to vague “frontline duties”.
Regardless of the veracity of such statements, it’s vital that the Irish responsibilities under international human rights law and the Belfast Agreement are not compromised.
Recent guarantees that the police will not be designated to manage the Border appear insincere in the light of current selective police passport checks involving apparent racial prejudice. This has been affirmed by a recent report to the Policing Authority.
A 2023 research conducted by the ESRI on the migrant border-crossing experience, funded by the Government’s Shared Island Unit, highlighted an irrefutable pattern of border checks and racial profiling wherein multiple instances of racial bias particularly towards certain groups, based on skin colour and other ethnic differences, were reported.
Instead of intensifying, these racial profiling practices must be eliminated once and for all.
We, therefore, urge both jurisdiction’s authorities to ensure unhindered access to the asylum procedure, in line with their legal duties.
Additionally, we demand increased transparency as the ongoing diplomatic disagreement has drawn attention to the longstanding clandestine nature of collaboration between UK and Ireland within the Common Travel Area (CTA), characterized by undisclosed treaties and confidential meetings.
As stakeholders in the preservation of hard-earned liberties on the island of Ireland, we must uphold our principles and meet international obligations.
Yours sincerely,
Laim Herrick,
Irish Council for Civil Liberties;
Daniel Holder,
Administration of Justice Committee;
Edel McGinley,
Migrant Rights Centre Ireland;
Stephen Bowen,
Amnesty International Ireland.
The following set of individuals actively participate in numerous organisations striving for justice, equality and advocacy across UK and Ireland. Key figures include Patrick Corrigan from Amnesty International situated in Northern Ireland. Claire Mullaly is highly involved in the advocacy work of End Deportations Belfast. Free Legal Advice Centres are fortunate to have Eilis Barry, while Brian Killoran lends his expertise to the Immigrant Council of Ireland. Owen Reidy is part of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and Shane O’Curry is an integral part of the Irish Network Against Racism. Nick Henderson’s work with the Irish Refugee Council is commendable. Bulelani Mfaco is associated with the Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland, Lillian Seenoi-Barr is making a mark with Northwest Migrants Forum and Patricia Mckeown is associated with Unison Northern Ireland.