protest in support of asylum seekers on hunger strike

dublin | racism & migration related issues | news report Monday April 18, 2005 12:42 by rory hearne - usi

Protest tomorrow at 12.20 pm at the Dail

called by residents against racism

Let the asylum seekers stay and work

see article from today's IT for details

Asylum seekers on hunger and thirst strike collapse
By Alison Healy



Two Nigerians on hunger and thirst strike collapsed at the weekend and were taken to hospital by ambulance.

One remained in the Mater hospital yesterday evening while the other was discharged earlier in the day.

Paul Uzo (41) and Femi Owoade (30) are among more than 250 Nigerian asylum seekers who claim to have been on hunger and thirst strike since Thursday following a stepping-up of asylum reporting requirements.

They are seeking a meeting with immigration officials so they can find out their fate. They say they are being held under virtual house arrest by having to sign in at their hostels in Lower Gardiner Street and Hatch Street Lower every morning and evening. They believe they are being prepared for deportation.

All of the men have applied for residency on the basis of having Irish-born children.

They arrived in Ireland earlier this year to be reunited with their families, after Minister for Justice Michael McDowell opened applications for residency from parents of Irish-born citizens.

Mr Uzo, a father of two children, collapsed while attending Mass in Dublin's Pro-Cathedral yesterday morning. He was taken to the Mater where his condition was still being monitored yesterday evening.

Late on Saturday night, Mr Owoade collapsed in his bedroom. He was discharged early yesterday afternoon from the Mater.

Like most of the group, both men have been refusing liquids as well as food. Mr Owoade resumed his hunger strike when he returned from hospital, friends said. A number of pregnant women had also joined in the strike but they were being urged by the men to take some fluids.

"We are very weak but the struggle continues," one man said. "All we want is to meet someone and get some information."

A Department of Justice spokeswoman said the men should address their questions to members of the Garda National Immigration Bureau when they sign in. However, the men said they had given up asking questions as they were being met by a "brick wall". They are taking part in a mass rally outside the Dáil at 12.30pm tomorrow.