Callous indifference sours asylum seekers' dreams of a bright future

DURING the week, the first annual report of the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner was published, and it showed that 6,631 applications for refugee status were rejected last year.

According to the Minister for Justice, Michael McDowell: "Those who are entitled to protection from persecution will receive that protection from our State."

Surely, everyone should be entitled to protection from persecution? The minister's choice of words may suggest there is a criterion under which some people currently in this country are not entitled to protection from persecution. Was this just a clumsy choice of words from a man who is normally careful with words? He should clarify the situation. The public is entitled to know if there are grounds under which this country is not prepared to protect people from persecution.