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20/06/05
Press Release by Comhlamh
Ireland Should Avoid Detaining Asylum
Seekers and Illegal Migrants
At the Annual General Meeting of
Integrating Ireland today 16th June 2005, Mr Renaud De Villaine,
Advocacy and Policy Programme Officer in Jesuit Refugee Service Europe
criticised European Union member States and particularly the Republic of Ireland
for their detention policy targeting asylum seekers and illegal migrants.
Speaking on the detention and removal of
asylum seekers and irregular migrants in Europe,
Mr De Villaine said:” EU States and
particularly Ireland don’t really explore other approaches to deal decently with
failed asylum seekers and illegal migrants. Even if they don’t meet legal
requirements in term of residency, failed asylum seekers and illegal migrants
still have their rights as human beings which need to be respected”. He added:
“Detention should be used only as measure of last resort after considering all
other alternatives to it”.
Mr De Villaine who was expressing the views of
the Jesuit Refugee Service Europe also asked to Irish Government to provide for
a time limit for detention (not more than 2 months) when detention cannot be
avoided, and to ensure a minimum standard of basic rights for people being
detained, concerning especially, the right to be properly informed, the right to
be visited, the right to health care and the protection of minors and families.
Integrating Ireland who invited Mr Renaud De Villaine
is an independent alliance of community and voluntary
groups, working in solidarity, and committed to promoting, and realising the
human rights, equality, and full integration of refugees, people seeking asylum,
and immigrants in Ireland. The membership comprises 190 organisations from over
the country, North and South.
Dr. Jean-Pierre Eyanga, Comhlamh.
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