Direct provision does not work, and it has to be abolished. And for LGBT asylum seekers within the system, the experience can be even worse, writes Evgeny Shtorn.At the end of May, the Committee on Justice and Equality of the Houses of Oireachtas invited members of the public to submit their written views on the issue of direct provision and the international protection application process.Several respectful organisations with which I have had the honour to collaborate have submitted their proposals. All of them, as far as I know, have advocated for the end of direct provision and for more humane treatment of people in need of international protection in Ireland.In a little over a year since I found myself in direct provision, I have heard thousands of voices against this system, and I support the struggle and join the choir of those who are seeking to make Ireland a better place for everyone.I have no doubt that the honourable committee will get depressed after reading these … [Read more...] about LGBT asylum seekers face double isolation
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How difficult it really is for asylum seekers to get into NZ
For those attempting to seek asylum in New Zealand, the path is rarely straightforward. Tim Maurice of Asylum Seekers Support Trust gives us a glimpse of life as an asylum seeker. OPINION: The room is alive with conversation. Before us, a meal is set out on the brown Formica table: a traditional Pakistani dish made from leftover mince from the previous Friday's dumpling meal. There's a large bowl of rice, salad and cans of Schweppes Ginger Ale. The faces around the table are varied; we could be sitting in the kitchen of any backpackers or international school in Auckland. But look at bit closer and there's something different about these faces - they don't have the carefree ease of a young person exploring the world. There's a wariness in their eyes. You can see them catch themselves in moments of laughter, remembering where they are. It's hard for most Kiwis to imagine what it's like to live in a war-torn country or to be threatened with imprisonment if you speak out against … [Read more...] about How difficult it really is for asylum seekers to get into NZ
Hong Kong’s first political asylum seekers
Benedict Rogers 1 June 2019 9:47 AM 1 June 2019 9:47 AM Share Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Email Whatsapp Hong Kong’s freedoms, autonomy and rule of law face ever-increasing threats, but there is a twin set of legal dangers that pose the most serious risks for the city’s way of life: an old colonial law that needs reform, and a new law that should never be introduced. Last week, two Hong Kong activists, Ray Wong and Alan Li, announced that Germany had granted them political asylum – the first ever asylum seekers from Hong Kong. For a city that has for decades been a destination for refugees fleeing mainland China, Vietnam, Pakistan and other parts of the world to be producing its own asylum seekers is a sign of just how bad the situation has become. These two young Hong Kongers fled their city to escape prosecution.The pair had been charged with rioting offences under the Public Order Ordinance for their involvement in civil unrest in 2016. … [Read more...] about Hong Kong’s first political asylum seekers
We’ll challenge ‘shameful’ asylum ruling says Salvini
Rome, May 3 - Deputy Premier and Interior Minister Matteo Salvini said Friday that the government would challenge a "shameful" court ruling against the new law he drafted on security and migration. A Bologna court upheld an appeal by two asylum seekers and ordered the city to put them in its civil registry. The city has rejected the request to put the asylum seekers in the registry on the basis of the security-and-migration law. "It's a shameful sentence," League leader Salvini said. "If there are some judges out there who want to be political and change the law to help immigrants, they should leave the courtroom and stand for a leftwing party. "Obviously, we will appeal against this sentence. "In the meantime, I call on all the mayors (of Italy) to respect the law". Interior ministry sources said the Bologna ruling does not undermine the security-and-migration law as sentences like it are not definitive and regard specific cases. The sources said a ruling by the Constitutional Court … [Read more...] about We’ll challenge ‘shameful’ asylum ruling says Salvini
Pregnant asylum seeker set to be deported back Somalia
A heavily pregnant woman fears she will be killed and her unborn baby butchered if she is deported back to Somalia. The African country has been at civil war since 1991 and has one of the highest murder rates in the world. But a 28-year-old Muslim woman - who has been living in Swansea for two years - has been told by Home Office officials she is “safe” to go back home - and officials have tried to speed up her return by cutting off her benefits. Since then she has been living off a £10 a week handouts from a charity. She said: “If you are pregnant and are not married it’s something that is not allowed in Somalia - they will kill me. "There’s no way I can go back. “Not having a house, knowing where to sleep or where to stay is really hard - I have never experienced being without a house - it’s traumatising.” Brought up in the notorious and deadly city of Mogadishu, the woman - who is too scared to be named - came to the UK in 2011 … [Read more...] about Pregnant asylum seeker set to be deported back Somalia