Mcdowell electoral "populism"

by Oldie Mon Jan 29, 2007 12:56

Another oldie, but a goodie

National Irishness Test

by Marlboro Man Mon Jan 29, 2007 10:29

If its not National Socialism then its National Opportunism.

And I doubt very much that his proposels are the will of the people. The poll only shows that over 36% of people think the country is being exploited by immigrants, not that 36% agree with locking them in camps with razor wire and guard towers.

Ve Vill built ze conzentr..I mean immigrant camp here

by an oldie - but a goddie Sun Jan 28, 2007 00:58

this was the 'democratic will'
can McD pull it off again?

by Homo Simpson Sun Jan 28, 2007 00:43

Dont get me wrong, I dont agree with this Government either because of their bureaucracy and their abuse of power but they have done a bit more than other governments would do to sort out the mess that the immigration system had moulded itself into. Thats about the only thing they could do right.

by anon Sun Jan 28, 2007 00:33

Harmondsworth Immigration Removal Centre 'Not fit for Purpose'
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2006/11/357432.html

Anne Owers HM Inspector of Prisons (HMIP) has published today a report on Harmondsworth Immigration Removal Centre (IRC), the UK's largest immigration removal centre, stating that it was not performing satisfactorily against ANY of the Inspectorate's tests of a healthy custodial environment and that poor relationships between custody officers and detainees were "worse than had been seen at any other detention centre" and was "Undoubtedly the poorest report" issued by HMIP of any IRC to date.

Other HMIP findings include:

* Over 60 per cent of detainees said they had felt unsafe

* Bullying by staff : 44 per cent of detainees said they had been victimised by staff

* Detainees described some custody officers as 'aggressive', 'intimidating' and 'unhelpful'

* Over-emphasis on physical security and control

* Use of force was high, as was the use of temporary confinement in segregated conditions

* The incentive scheme operated as a punishment system

* Complaints system was distrusted and ineffective - some complaints raised serious allegations

* Some healthcare provision was good but insufficient nursing and mental health support.

Frustrated at being detained in awful prison-like conditions, often for long periods, the detainees of Harmondsworth detention centre, near Heathrow, have 'gone wild'. Around 10pm on 28 November, 2006, a group of detainees started a riot in Wing B after a guard switched off the TV preventing them from watching the report about Harmondsworth, and it soon spread to all 4 wings. Some detainees have reportedly been beaten up, while others were kept locked in, with fires and smoke all over the place [reports and updates]. 'Specialist officers' from prisons across the south of England were brought in to help the prison and immigration services 'contain the situation'. Everything is 'under control' now, according to the Home Office

http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2006/11/357432.html
http://www.barbedwirebritain.org.uk/

by Homo Simpson Sat Jan 27, 2007 22:55

Tell me: Who's made it this way?? The asylum seekers have. If some hadn't absconded when their cases were reflected then maybe there wouldnt be the need to bring this proposal to the table in the first place. I find it hard to imagine that he just woke up this morning and decided that he'd announce this out of the blue. He's obviously been kept up to date with the willingness of asylum seekers to face up to it if they do not have a case for asylum.

by Stuart Sat Jan 27, 2007 22:25

More likely we are in for four months of politicians outdoing each other's appeals to racist sentiment, as they did at the Citizenship Referendum and at the last election - a game of who can get closest to saying "immigrants out" without getting caught. They will have the Gardai and Hospital Masters out next to provide juicy (but quite likely fictitious) cases to get the rednecks salivating. It's enough to make you laugh, unless you're an immigrant of course.

by Patricia Sat Jan 27, 2007 20:29

Mystery of the 9,000 disappeared deportees.
There was an interesting background article relating to this subject in the Irish Independent on Dec 31st. 2006.

It stated that according to the Dept Of Justice more than 9,000 non-nationals facing deportation from Ireland are currently missing and on the run, and that the gardai have no idea where they are.

The authorities have admitted that they have no idea how many people who have had deportation orders served on them have remained in Ireland. Garda sources have said they have little hope of tracking them down deportation evaders unless they are picked up for committing a criminal offence.

Since 2001, over 11,680 deportation orders have been signed but only 2,472 have been effected.

The new figures show that in the past five years, 9,208 non-nationals have been scheduled for deportation and have since “evaded the process” and are in the country illegally. Of the deportation orders signed more than half were for Nigerian nationals who were seeking asylum here, while 22% were for Romanian nationals.

The article also stated that the number of passports reported stolen in Ireland has doubled in five years. In 2005 2,841 passports were stolen while 22,160 passports were lost last year.

Perhaps with such widespread abuse of the asylum system, McDowell’s hand has been forced to act on this issue.

by . Sat Jan 27, 2007 16:58

We needed this change because many asylum seekers are never heard of again if their application for asylum is refused. Most other EU countries have detention centres also for asylum seekers because of the problem with fleeing from the decision making process if it says 'no'. Funny enough they did agree to abide up until then!

by Des Sat Jan 27, 2007 16:54

Instead of barbed wire, perhaps razor wire and land mines, and guards with coal scuttles helmets. The man is simply amazing!