Under the Dublin Convention, asylum seekers are to be returned to the first EU country in which they arrived. Refugees leave their homes, families, friends and jobs, for many reasons. For some it is because of gender, or religious persuasion, or because they have no religion. For others it can be because of their political opinions, ethnic back- ground or sexual orientations. Many flee because of fear of torture, rape or execution.
Every human being has a right to live free from persecution.
Asylum is a right not a charity. The Irish Government has already issued deportation notices to at least twenty-three asylum seekers. In so doing the Government is saying that life and dignity are privileges, not basic human rights. We know from other European countries that when enough people demonstrate their opposition to deportations, governments have been forced to reverse their deportation decisions. Now is the time to voice our opposition to the Dublin Convention and to stop the Irish Government from deporting asylum seekers in our name.