Belfast Solidarity with Afghan hunger strikers in Dublin

antrim | rights, freedoms and repression | event notice Tuesday May 16, 2006 11:30 by Davy Carlin - Organise!

Urgent to – Anti racism, refugee, community, human rights and all concerned citizens,

A real tragedy is unfolding in Dublin.

Belfast Solidarity-

Dear friends,

A real tragedy is unfolding in Dublin.

Urgent to – Anti racism, refugee, community, human rights and all concerned citizens,

A real tragedy is unfolding in Dublin.

{SHOW YOUR SOLIDARITY FOR ‘FELLOW HUMAN BEINGS -Wednesday {Tomorrow} – meet up at the Irish Tourist Board at 1pm – in Castle Street.}

Friends,

‘A group of twenty to thirty Afghan refugees (UPDATE: numbers are now known to be 41) have occupied St. Patrick’s Cathedral. At least three minors are believed to be among the group of men. The group are seeking refugee status in Ireland and decided to hunger strike after some of their applications were turned down last Friday by the Office of the Refugee Appeals Commissioner.

This issue is getting worse and worse, and people could, in very real terms DIE.

THIS CANNOT BE ALLOWED TO HAPPEN.

NOTE – A FOURTH HUNGER STRIKER HAS JUST RECENTLY IN THE LAST FEW MINUTES BEEN TAKEN TO HOSPITAL.

‘The hunger strikers have continued to refuse liquids. 4 men have now been taken to hospital by ambulance. In the last few minutes one of the men collapsed in fits and was rushed to hospital. His survival hangs in the balance’.

Friends, this is a dire situation, please contact all those of ‘influence’ to try and bring this to an end.

Also attend, and circulate about the Solidarity Vigil tomorrow at 1PM at the Tourist Board in Castle Street – from there we can decide where to next.

Other such support has also been called - Again please circulate and support.

Support the Afghan thirst and hunger strikers
Picket McDowells constituency office,
The triangle, Ranelagh
Friday 19th May
6 o'clock
Residents Against Racism are holding a picket outside Michael McDowells constituency office in solidarity with the Afghan thirst and hunger strikers. The picket will take place at 6 o'clock this friday.

For further details please contact
087 7974622 or 087 6662060

Friends

According to Amnesty International’s 2005 Country Report armed groups in Afghanistan continue to commit abuses against civilians, aid workers, election officials and potential voters. Abduction and rape are reportedly common. The legal system lacks basic provisions for fair trials and executions have been reported. Amnesty USA reports that some of this violence (including torture) is perpetrated by the US troops currently occupying the war-torn country.

The hunger strikers are getting support raging from Residents Against Racism through to the Irish Anti War Movement, from political parties and activists through to human rights organisations.

Show your solidarity and attend tomorrow {and extend such solidarity to other regions} - and use whatever ‘influence one can to bring this justly to an end.

See you there Davy Carlin