Illegal deportation takes place after suspected assault of asylum seeker / Protest Friday GNIB Dub.

national | racism & migration related issues | news report Thursday May 19, 2005 13:45 by Residents Against Racism residentsagainstracism at eircom dot net 12a Brunswick place, Dublin 2 087 7974622 or 087 6662060

A demo will be held tommorrow Friday 20th May at 12.30 outside the Garda National Immigration Bureau, Burgh Quay. The demo has been called because of this illegal deportation.

Residents Against Racism

Press release

For immediate release

Illegal deportation takes place after suspected assault on asylum seeker

Protest Friday 20th May 12.30 GNIB, Burgh Quay

Today, Thursday the 19th May, in the morning a Nigerian asylum seeker Michael Alabi was illegally deported from the state following his suspected assault at a hostel in Gardiner Street. Michael was resident of a hostel whose residents several weeks ago went on hunger strike following their virtual house arrest, and Michael was the last resident to stop the hunger strike. Residents of the hostel reported that when the Guards came down to the hostel for the residents signing on they brought him in to a room and locked the door. Residents then reported hearing screams of pain from Michael. When the Guards came out of the room with Michael blood was pouring down his head.

Spokesperson Rosanna Flynn said

“Michael was deported Thursday morning without any of his belongings. His case hadn’t had its due course and it was currently on appeal. We contacted the Refugee Legal Service this morning who confirmed that there had not been a refusal on his appeal and they stated that he should be returned. We in Residents Against Racism also demand his immediate return and a full and open inquiry. The suspected assault that took place is a damning indication of the abuse that Michael McDowell has allowed to happen. His racist comments yesterday, branding all asylum seekers as bogus, were swiftly followed by a vicious assault, an illegal deportation, and a further hardening of racist attitudes within the immigration system. His comments yesterday reinforce our demand that the asylum system should be taken out of his hands and placed into the hands of a body such as the human rights commission. No doubt we will hear another “cock and bull” story from the minister about this assault and illegal deportation, the time for stories has ended, its time for his resignation.”

A protest will be held tomorrow Friday 20th May 12.30 outside the Garda National Immigration Bureau, Burgh Quay.

For further details:

Rosanna Flynn 087 6662060
Mark Grehan 087 7974622