Xenophobia may destroy democracy, warns President Michael D Higgins

Racism and xenophobia are gaining ground, exploiting fears and ignorance in ways that could destroy democracy, warns President Michael D Higgins.

“Our gaze must not be averted. We must be open to the agony of our fellow occupants of this fragile earth,” the President told foreign diplomats.

“There is an urgent need to look into the deep and quiet corners of those lives deprived of a right to participate at all levels of society because these lives deserve, again in the words of Pope Francis, a ‘dignified welcome’.”