Students warn of threat to immigrants’ human rights

BASIC human rights could be violated if the Government presses ahead with proposed tough new rules on immigration, students claimed yesterday.

The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) voted to oppose the contentious bill just hours after Integration Minister Conor Lenihan addressed delegates at its annual congress.

The proposed immigration legislation, published last month and currently before the Oireachtas, would make it easier for the Government to detain and deport illegal immigrants.

But students argued that those seeking asylum would be placed in unnecessary legal limbo for long periods while the state considered their application.

A USI spokesman said: “Congress condemned the lack of regard shown by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to safeguard the basic human rights of immigrants.

“Congress mandates the equality officer to run a campaign in conjunction with immigration interest groups to show USI’s dissatisfaction with this legislation as it stands.”

The conference, which runs until Thursday in Bettystown, Co Meath, is being attended by delegates from across the country.

The Lisbon Treaty, the environment, the minimum wage and the availability of the morning-after pill are all up for discussion.

Mr Lenihan opened the congress telling delegates that since his appointment the Department of Education had set up an integration unit to ensure students of all backgrounds were treated equally within the education system.

“Within the higher education sector, initiatives are being developed to support increased participation by newcomer students living and working in Ireland,” he said.

“Outreach certificate programmes by NUI Galway, NUI Maynooth and a number of other institutions are also supporting the progression of ethnic minority students, particularly in remote rural locations.”

Benedicta Attoh of the National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism also addressed delegates to mark this year’s Intercultural and Anti-Racism Week, which starts on April 7.

USI president Hamidreza Khodabakhshi said: “Student-led anti-racism campaigns are vital, but the success of our equality agenda is heavily influenced by Government policies.

“Students are supporting the Government to deliver Intercultural and Anti-Racism Week, the aims of which we strongly endorse. The experience of new Irish residents must be one of inclusion, not marginalisation,” he said.