Images of Afghan asylum seekers hunger strike on Wednesday night

by richard whelan Thu May 18, 2006 14:26

More images from inside Cathedral on Wednesday night 9pm.
Images from St Patrick’s Cathedral on Wednesday night of afghan asylum seekers.

Images are copyright ,but can be used for non- commercial use.

Manuel Jordas ,UNHCR and Tahir Khan interpreter center of image

by disgusted Thu May 18, 2006 16:44

I hope that Manuel Jordas is sent to Afganistan next week for a "tour of duty" with the UNHCR to see for himself the diversity of the country that make it safe for some as he says. I am sure the hunger strikers can do without the "mediation" from such a character.

by Unsure Thu May 18, 2006 19:31

I'm not quite sure of the rights and wrongs of this issue, and would be grateful iof someone might clear a few of my concerns up:

* Aren't some of the hunger strikers former members of the Taliban and, if so, is giving them sanctuary not questionable in light of that organisation's brutal history, escpecially regarding the execution of women for wearing makeup etc.

* I know the argument has been made that many people were forced to join the Taliban, but how can we know this isn't just a convenient claim on their part, and would we so readily accept, say, former Serb soldiers?

* Are they getting kids to hunger strike? If so, this is twisted and morally indefensible; although, my only source on this is the Mad Mullah himself, Michael McDowell.

* Would a compromise deal, say - that these guys are put in a Mosney-style camp pending security checks / resolution (if that ever happens) of the conflict in Afghanistan - not be a better thing for socialists to argue for? We seem silly and uncritical when we unthinkingly accept the bona fides of these chaps just because we are generally supportive of migrants.

by badman Fri May 19, 2006 12:03

1. One of the hunger strikers is said to have been an official in the government under the Taliban.
2. The minors joined the hunger strike against the advice of the adults.

by Abbie H Wed Aug 16, 2006 21:01

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060816/ap_on_re_us/immigra...ation