13 January 2005 Edition

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Council seeks end to jailing of asylum seekers

Belfast City Council has backed a Sinn Féin motion condemning the practice of detaining asylum seekers in prison facilities.

The motion, which points out that asylum seekers are not criminals, was drafted by Oldpark Sinn Féin Councillor David Kennedy and was passed at January's monthly meeting, without the support of the Democratic Unionist Party or the Alliance Party.

Asylum seekers are currently held at Crumlin Road, Maghaberry and Hydebank prisons and last year Sinn Féin raised concerns over the health and welfare of detainees following a visit to Crumlin Road jail.

Kennedy welcomed that Belfast City Council has joined with a wide range of groups, including the Human Rights Commis-sion, the Equality Commission, the Chief Inspector of Prisons, Amnesty International and all the four main churches, who stand in opposition to this practice.

"The locking up of asylum seekers in prison is immoral and a disgraceful practice, which clearly breaches human rights standards and must end," added Kennedy. "I will be writing to the British Government pressing for an immediate review of both its draconian immigration policies and the further detention and criminalisation of asylum seekers."


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Ireland