Call for independent enquiry/halt to deportations

Published: Wednesday, January 12, 2011

'Throughout the flight, the individuals were not allowed to move freely or converse with others. On occasions when people were allowed to use the toilet on the plane, they were not allowed to close the toilet door.....'

On Wednesday, 15 December 2010, 34 Nigerian nationals and 1 Irish citizen (a two year old child) were put on a Frontex (the EU agency responsible for European border control including repatriations) deportation flight at Dublin Airport.

The eight women, 13 children, and 14 men endured long delays, inadequate food and limited access to sanitary facilities until their deportation was aborted in Greece and they were returned to Ireland.

The Irish Refugee Council has called on the Minister for Justice and Law Reform to establish an independent enquiry into the conduct of this deportation. Until this enquiry has been completed, we want all deportations to be halted.

You can help to stop inhumane and degrading deportation practices by contacting Dermot Ahern and asking for an end to deportations pending a review of deportation practices.

See attached petition. It would be good if you can sign and circulate as widely as possible.

Regards
Salome Mbugua
CEO
AkiDwA
9B Lower Abbey Street
Dublin 1
Tel:0035318148582 (O)
00353874150906(M)