Europe's human rights body fears Ireland's housing crisis fuelling 'anti-refugee sentiment'

The Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights, Duna Mijatović noted that over 900 international protection applicants have been left in a situation of street homelessness over recent months. File photo: Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews.ie

One of the top officials in Europe’s leading human rights body has expressed concern about the severe lack of accommodation faced by people seeking international protection in Ireland and fears it was adding to “anti-refugee sentiment.” 

The Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights, Duna Mijatović has written to the Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, to raise concern about the challenges faced in providing adequate reception and accommodation for asylum seekers arriving in the Republic.