Anti-racist advocates urge politicians to avoid making negative comments about asylum seekers

It follows brutal assault on homeless asylum seeker, who was told he was lucky not to die in the attack

Hussein suffered a broken jaw and nose after being assaulted in Dublin.

Anti-racist and immigrant support groups have called on politicians to avoid making comments "dehumanising" asylum seekers.

The intervention follows a brutal assault on a homeless asylum seeker from Somalia, which left him with a broken jaw, three missing front teeth, a broken nose, and severe bruising to his face.

The victim, Hussein, said he was told he was lucky he did not die in the attack, during which he was repeatedly struck in the face and head with a metal blunt instrument, possibly a hammer.

He said a group of up to six men jumped on him from behind without any warning as he walked along Parnell Street in Dublin city centre on Friday, June 29.

Though he can’t remember details of his attackers, he believes they were Irish.

“Yes, they were Irish, but I had nothing to do with them,” he told the Irish Examiner. “I really like this country, but I can’t explain why I was attacked. They did not take my phone or money.” 

Gardai at Mountjoy Garda Station are investigating.

Hussein has endured significant pain: “I am in pain every day; I use so many painkillers. I can’t talk or sleep on my sides.”

He is due out of hospital in four weeks.

Shane O'Curry, director of the Irish Network Against Racism (INAR), said: "This vicious and unprovoked attack on this gentleman is shocking in many ways. 

It bears all the hallmarks of a racist hate crime, one committed by a gang of depraved cowards.

"The physical impacts of the attack on this gentleman, Hussein, are clearly horrendous; what's more, we can only imagine what the psychological impacts would be on a young man forced to flee the political violence in his home country, and forced to live a vulnerable existence on the streets because of a broken asylum system.” 

He said the INAR’s iReport.ie platform has monitored an uptick in anti-Somalian rhetoric and attacks in recent years.

'Toxic discourse'

Mr O'Curry said “toxic discourse” had spread from fringe extremists to mainstream politicians.

He said this trend, combined with the “dehumanising and punitive regime” that people seeking international protection are subjected to, creates a “perfect storm” in which people "in Hussein’s position” are left in a precarious place.

John Lannon, chief executive of Limerick-based Doras, said they find many refugees and migrants are increasingly worried about having to spend time on the streets.

He said: “People who come here seeking protection and then find themselves homeless are particularly vulnerable to attack as they are unfamiliar with their new environment.” 

He said the Government had failed to uphold its responsibility to provide them with a standard of living that guarantees their health and protects their fundamental rights.

“The Government also has a responsibility to ensure it avoids negative commentary that can ultimately lead to attacks on people on the streets,” Mr Lannon said.

“The current harsh policy landscape and discourse undermines the rights and humanity of asylum seekers, and puts them at even greater risk.”