Swapping the comforts of home for life as a refugee in Ireland
Marcas Mac Ruairí considers the plight of asylum seekers in
Dublin
THE Land of Saints and Scholars, renowned for its welcomes,
charity and friendliness.
This is the lasting impression Ireland leaves on many visitors.
But is this the whole story? Racism is not a problem that has
traditionally afflicted Ireland, being associated more commonly
with the former colonialist powers of Europe, but 1997 has seen a
worrying rise in incidences of race hatred.
This year has seen a dramatic rise in the number of people who
have turned to Ireland seeking asylum. By and large these people
have been welcomed and supported by the Irish people, but the
experience of a number of them is not something we can be so
proud of.
Phoblacht talked to one refugee who has come to live here
after fleeing Zaire where he was an activist struggling for
democracy. Fearing retribution on his family, he has asked to
have his identity concealed. PJ, as we shall call him, was a
member of the main opposition party, the Union for Democracy and
Political Progress, the UDPS.
Amnesty International has expressed serious concern about the
general situation in Zaire and has issued an Urgent Action appeal
about PJ's colleagues who remain in detention. Concern has been
expressed in particular for the life of one of them who received
severe beatings, Bertin Lukanda. There has also been reports of
extra-judicial executions.
PJ's bedsit in north Dublin has a window looking out over the
back yard of a house. Letting in little light, on the inside
there is a small partitioned cupboard with a sink, affording just
enough room to stand.
PJ insists that he is here not because he wants to be, but for
the safety that Ireland offers him. Despite this he has been the
victim of vicious racist abuse. ``I have been stopped in the
street and verbally insulted with comments like `Nigger go home,'
`We don't want welfare scroungers here,' and such like. But I am
not here to scrounge; I am not here for welfare; I am here for my
own safety.''
Showing the physical scars left on his ankles and chest after
being tortured, he continues: ``In Zaire I was arrested five
times. I was burned with cigarettes and hit with electric shock
prods.
``I fled at the height of troubles when the previous dictator
[Mobutu] was deposed by the present Government of Kabila. My
party supported Kabila in order to oust the previous dictator.
But when he came to power, he in turn set up a dictatorship. He
monopolised all power - military, legislative and executive. All
political activity and demonstrations were forbidden. His
Government set about arresting members of my political party.
Nineteen of my colleagues remain in detention, several of whom
are in need of urgent medical attention, which they are being
denied. They are further being denied access to their families
and to legal counsel.
``That is why I fled to Ireland. I left my job, my two storey
house, my family and sought safety. I am unable to return as the
Government see me as a threat.
``In regard to racism in Ireland, the first thing I must say is
that I am eternally thankful to the Irish people. They have been
very kind to me and very supportive. I did not choose Ireland, I
chose safety. There is only a small number who are racist. Before
moving to my present bedsit, I was stopped in the street several
times by both children and young adults and verbally assaulted.
On one occasion I was kicked by a young boy who must have been
only four or five and told `We don't want any scroungers here!'
``Without the Irish Refugee Council and their legal team my
situation would be very different. They have given me advice and
helped to relieve my concerns. But there is a need to conclude
this case. I am very worried about the welfare of my family. If
anything happens to them I will not be able to forgive myself. I
go to bed every night thinking about them. Every night is a
struggle. In August I suffered a heart attack caused by
anxiety..Safety does not mean freedom. I am safe here, but I am a
prisoner in my own mind. I am a veterinary doctor and I am losing
my skills. If the Government would give me asylum status to
either work or study, I could make a contribution to the Irish
economy.
``At home I lived in comfort in a two storey house. I had a good
job and was able to send my five children to a private school.
Now I am here on welfare living in one room. My children will be
an asset to this country and you will be proud of us. When Irish
people first went to the United States did they realise that
there would be a man such as John F. Kennedy? To come from our
country to here is not easy. Most of our refugees are well
educated. My country is rich. I am not here for the money. I am
struggling for democracy in my country so that my people can have
control over its wealth and use it for the establishment of human
rights.''
Expressing his frustration at the slow pace of the process which
he hopes will give him asylum status, PJ comments: ``This year I
and many other refugees will spend Christmas alone. I am thankful
to the Irish people for the welcome they have given me. My own
case is straightforward and I cannot understand why it is taking
the Government to make a decision.''
Commenting on the negative reception he received where he first
lived in Ireland, he concluded: ``I lived in a poor area which
seems to have been by-passed by the Government. It is said that
to understand someone who is suffering you must suffer yourself.
Then you learn how and why people suffer. Alternatively
understanding can come from education. Many racists in Ireland
are not well educated and informed as to why refugees come here.
They are here for the safety and not for the money. I would have
had comfort at home and a good job, not welfare and a one room
bedsit.''
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