Afghans protest numbers denied refugee status

A GROUP of Afghan asylum seekers protested outside the Dáil yesterday, highlighting the high numbers who have been turned down for refugee status.

The asylum seekers claim that more than 90% have been refused refugee status after appeal and say some are facing the threat of deportation from January 2006.

The numbers of Afghans seeking refugee status in Ireland is small, no more than 400, according to a spokesman for the group.