A protest by Nigerian asylum seekers who say they have been on hunger strike since last week will go ahead today despite claims by the Department of Justice that their strike has been called off.
The asylum seekers claim that they have been refusing food and fluids since last week to highlight the signing on conditions at their hostel. They say that they are being held under virtual house arrest by having to sign in at their hostel in Lower Gardiner Street Dublin every morning and evening. They also fear that they are being prepared for deportation and plan to protest outside the Dáil at lunchtime today.
A spokeswoman for Residents against Racism said that following the collapse of two of the men on hunger strike at the weekend, it was agreed that pregnant women and those with medical conditions would not refuse food. But, 60 per cent of the strikers still have not eaten. However, a Department of Justice spokesman has said that all 70 of the strikers ate a meal yesterday.
A spokesman said the signing in procedure is being reduced to once a day, in the evening.
All of the men have applied for residency in Ireland on the basis of having Irish-born children. They arrived in the country earlier this year to be reunited with their families, after Minister for Justice Michael McDowell opened applications for residency from parents of Irish-born citizens. However, the signing on procedure at their hostel has made it difficult for them to visit their children.
