Dublin: Concerns are mounting in Ireland regarding the increasing number of asylum seekers lacking the requisite documents. This surge has prompted legal experts and professionals in the field to voice their apprehensions.
Recent court rulings have resulted in the imprisonment of several individuals for their lack of travel documents. The cases brought before the courts have highlighted the efforts by law enforcement, particularly the Garda, to apprehend those who entered the country without proper documentation, including individuals on visit or tourist visas and those who have absconded. Simultaneously, refugee advocacy organisations and support networks have stepped forward to advocate for these individuals.
The Garda’s stance is clear: individuals entering Ireland without valid identification, especially those carrying expensive belongings but lacking identity cards, are subject to scrutiny under the Immigration Act. Non-citizens must present documents upon request by immigration officers or gardaí, with unsatisfactory explanations potentially leading to legal proceedings. However, exceptions exist for foreigners under 16 born in Ireland.
Critics argue that the government’s actions are fostering fear among refugees instead of facilitating their integration into the asylum system. They accuse authorities of targeting undocumented asylum seekers rather than assisting them in navigating the asylum process.
Cases initiated by the Garda National Immigration Bureau are referred to the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT), a process known for its lengthy duration. Advocacy groups such as the Africa Solidarity Centre have decried the incarceration of asylum seekers without identification, alleging prejudice against their tribunal cases.
Such interventions are viewed as executive overreach by some, bypassing the established appeals tribunal system. Recent incidents, such as the imprisonment of a 30-year-old Sudanese national for lack of documentation, have further fueled criticism.
Critics contend that penalising refugees for not possessing travel documents contravenes international law, particularly the Geneva Convention, which prohibits the punishment of refugees lacking such documents. They attribute this issue to anti-immigration sentiments perpetuated by certain factions within society.
Refugees arriving in Ireland through the Office of International Protection undergo rigorous screening, including fingerprinting, which some argue may negatively impact their cases before the International Protection Tribunal. Calls have been made to refrain from incarcerating individuals solely for their lack of a passport.
Against the backdrop of a recent referendum that has fueled anti-immigration sentiments, refugee advocacy groups have intensified their efforts to challenge these practices and uphold the rights of asylum seekers seeking refuge in Ireland.
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