Francis Street
21-05-2006, 16:13
And what do you think of the outcome?
Background: One week ago 41 Afghan asylum seekers entered St. Patrick's Cathedral (a major Dublin cathedral) and refused to leave, announcing that they were going on a hunger strike to force a review of their cases to prevent deportation.
Supporters of the group, mainly classmates of the minors among them, stood outside to show support. During the course of the protests, some had to be removed for medical treatment.
The Church of Ireland (which operates the Cathedral) came up with a compromise with the asylum seekers, but the government did not agree, refusing any compromise.
Late last night, the gardaí (police) removed the protestors.
Although I don't think that these guys should be deported (assuming none are criminal), I think that the government was right not to negotiate with them. That would result in more hunger strikes. This action was itself a copycat of similar events in Belgium. One group occupied a church there and pulled a hunger strike. The Belgian government conceded to their demands. Now there are twenty such groups occupying churches in Belgium.
Background: One week ago 41 Afghan asylum seekers entered St. Patrick's Cathedral (a major Dublin cathedral) and refused to leave, announcing that they were going on a hunger strike to force a review of their cases to prevent deportation.
Supporters of the group, mainly classmates of the minors among them, stood outside to show support. During the course of the protests, some had to be removed for medical treatment.
The Church of Ireland (which operates the Cathedral) came up with a compromise with the asylum seekers, but the government did not agree, refusing any compromise.
Late last night, the gardaí (police) removed the protestors.
Although I don't think that these guys should be deported (assuming none are criminal), I think that the government was right not to negotiate with them. That would result in more hunger strikes. This action was itself a copycat of similar events in Belgium. One group occupied a church there and pulled a hunger strike. The Belgian government conceded to their demands. Now there are twenty such groups occupying churches in Belgium.