Tackling Racism
For too long politicians in Ireland have allowed a growing culture of racism to develop without offering any leadership in challenging this. Ireland’s record on Traveller rights is disgraceful. We still lack any proper immigration policy; we turn people away at our ports of entry in breach of our Geneva Convention obligations; those who do manage to enter the country and claim asylum are dealt with through creaking, cumbersome and complex procedures. To change this requires:
- An overhaul of asylum and immigration procedures; a strong anti-racism policy.
- An amnesty for all those who have been resident in Ireland for over 6 months while awaiting resolution of asylum claims.
- Active encouragement for those fleeing political persecution or economic destitution to come to Ireland, to provide for better chances for themselves and their families.
- Provision of decent halting-sites for Traveller families and repeal of discriminatory trespass legislation.
- Citizenship rights for children born here must be retained, as an integral part of the peace process; and the rights of their parents to remain resident in Ireland must be protected on grounds of basic humanity.
