Human rights funeral in Dublin

national | rights, freedoms and repression | news report Wednesday March 31, 2010 10:31 by Residents Against Racism rar.info at yahoo dot ie c/o Connolly Books, 43 East Essex Street, Dublin 2 087 6662060

Despite driving rain and sleet, two hundred people marched through Dublin yesterday to protest against the death of human rights for asylum seekers.

People gathered at O'Connell Street at 12.30 to march through the city. They included friends and relatives of people who have been taken from them on the two deportation flights already this month, as well as people who have the same fate hanging over them. The procession was led by pall-bearers with a coffin, and chief mourners carrying a wreath marked 'RIP Human Rights'. As they marched to the Dáil they loudly demanded 'No deportations', 'The right to work', and simply 'Freedom'.

At Leinster House asylum seekers from various countries spoke, insisting that especially children born and reared in Ireland should have the right to live here with their families. Jillian Olabode from Athlone, whose husband was recently deported, depriving their child of a father, condemned the politicians who claim to believe in family values and Christian charity but only believe in themselves. Political support for the marchers was expressed by Joe Higgins MEP, Senator David Norris, and Aengus Ó Snodaigh. Representatives of Residents Against Racism and the Cork Anti-Racism Network also spoke.

The march then proceeded to the Department of Justice. The coffin and wreath were laid at the steps of the Department to symbolise the death of human rights for asylum seekers.