“Another time of year when people experience racism”

Christmas Day is full of traditions. Present in the morning, followed by Christmas mass and perhaps a swim in the sea if you’re brave enough to face the cold, all before the long-awaited dinner.

While Christmas may look very different this year thanks to Covid-19, it will continue to be a special day for millions of people in Ireland and around the world.

But for some, sadly this time of year is not a holiday for the challenges they face.

For people who live in Direct Provision, Christmas is just another day when their lives are put on hold, in the hope that one day they will be granted international protected status.

Doras has been supporting migrants for the past 20 years, providing advice and assistance in any way they can, but CEO John Lannon explains that violation of people’s rights in Direct Provision is a problem 365 days a year. .

“Christmas is just another time of the year when people experience racism and human rights violations; it happens all the time.

“Direct Provision is an ongoing human rights scandal and that is reflected in the interactions we have with people and the support we provide,” adds John.

In addition to the general issues that people living in Direct Provision face, John notes that in some facilities, the standard of care is well below what is required, which has become more apparent during the pandemic.

“The Irish Refugee Council published a report on the impact of Covid-19 and what was most surprising was the fear and concern caused by the inability to control what is happening to them during the pandemic.

When you are in a Direct Provision center, you are at the mercy of the management of that center.

“There is a continuous fear and this affects not only adults, but children in particular.

“When you are in a Direct Provision facility, you are at the mercy of the management of that facility and the standard of services and care provided varies greatly.”

This was sadly true in the case of two centers earlier this year, when people living at the Direct Provision centers in Cahersiveen, Co Kerry and Miltown Malbay, Co Clare went on a hunger strike, protesting the living conditions at the Skellig Star and Central hotels.

While John says it was encouraging to see the large amount of public support for the people living in those two centers, it reflected how some have felt the pandemic more acutely than others.

Throughout the pandemic, the most vulnerable in society were the hardest hit.

“Throughout the pandemic, the most vulnerable in society were the most affected and that includes the people in Direct Provision.

“It’s virtually impossible to socially distance or isolate yourself when you share bathrooms, queue to eat, and share a room, maybe within a couple of feet of a complete stranger.”

Welcome to the community

Throughout this time, the efforts of local communities have been a silent comfort to the people living at some Direct Provision centers, with John using Cahersiveen and Miltown Malbay as examples of how communities have come together to support the people in need.

“The local communities were very supportive. There was a deep solidarity with the people who suffered and lived in Direct Provision of the communities, helping in whatever way they could.

“However, communities cannot change the oppressive nature of Direct Provision and the ongoing human rights violations that are occurring.”

Having campaigned for the abolition of the direct supply system since it was first established, Doras believes that to truly address the problems faced by migrants in Ireland, the government must deliver on its promises.

In June this year, when drafting an agreement between the three coalition parties, Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party agreed to end Direct Provision within the lifetime of the Government.

According to the draft, the existing system will be replaced by a non-profit international sheltered accommodation policy, with a White Paper being prepared by the Minister for Children, Equality and Integration, Roderic O’Gorman and his Department.

An advisory group was established to determine what needed to be done to improve the system, resulting in a “groundbreaking” report.

“Everything is well calculated and it’s a good roadmap on how you can end Direct Provision.

The advisory group recommended the abolition of direct provision by the end of 2023 and we look forward to seeing it.

“[Ireland] You would be saving money by moving from the current Direct Provision system, which is a for-profit system after all.

“With a properly implemented system, the State will save money in addition to meeting our obligations under international law and the European Directive on reception conditions.

“The advisory group recommended the abolition of direct provision by the end of 2023 and we look forward to seeing it.”

Until the White Paper is produced, John says we will have to wait and see, but in the meantime, he urges people to continue to pressure their local representative to ensure that Direct Provision does not get off the agenda, but other simple acts of Support and inclusion will also go a long way.

“Showing solidarity and welcoming applicants for international protection and all members of our society is really important.

“Christmas is a time when we think of people in need and we think about donating and giving gifts.

“This is a good time for people to think about those who live in Direct Provision and try to deal with these situations.”