Reflecting on 22 Years of Direct Provision: SDLP Youth and Labour Youth Call for Change

Today, 10 December 2021, is internationally recognised as Human Rights Day to commemorate the seminal moment of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Declaration was a milestone in the protection and promotion of human rights and dignity, which affirms the inalienable human rights everyone is entitled to on the basis of their shared humanity, irrespective of race, colour, religion, sex, gender, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.

Whilst we warmly commemorate Human Rights Day, and welcome the historic developments which have ensured an advancement in human rights standards across the island of Ireland, equally we acknowledge the importance of Human Rights Day as a moment to reflect upon ongoing human rights violations, and issues of inequality, discrimination, and indignity which we know persist in both jurisdictions of this island.

One such crucial issue is the continued operation of the deeply concerning system of Direct Provision in the Republic of Ireland, and the corresponding dehumanisation and stigmatisation of the people which suffer from its existence. 

The 10th December marks the 22nd anniversary of the implementation of the system of Direct Provision in the Republic of Ireland. Over the last 22 years, migrants, refugees and asylum seekers have been subjected to degrading treatment at the hands of the Irish State, having been deprived of their human rights with regards to their living conditions, enforced poverty, and limitations on their rights to exist freely and independently. Persons subjected to Direct Provision endure the undermining and erosion of their very dignity and autonomy, whether in terms of limited provisions of food and water, or being forced to live in squalid and inadequate conditions which pose risks to physical health, mental health, and wellbeing.

That the average stay of a person in Direct Provision is of two years duration, and in many cases, will be much longer, is stark evidence of the limited consideration provided to the lives, wellbeing, and rights of persons living in Direct Provision by the Irish state. 

Labour Youth and SDLP Youth believe that the operation of Direct Provision is a violation of human rights and dignity, and is a callous practice which dehumanises individuals and families seeking a new home and new opportunities. The island of Ireland knows too well of the instability and turmoil, whether stemming from economic crisis or conflict, which forces families to immigrate and seek a new home. We believe the implementation and continued existence of Direct Provision is shameful in light of the history of this island. 

Moreover, as proud internationalists and committed socialists within the Young European Socialists umbrella, we note that the Republic of Ireland is an outlier. In many European countries, people in need of international protection will receive financial support so that they can live in that country while their application is pending; this provides stability, safety, and peace of mind. Yet under Direct Provision, people are placed in state accommodation on an assigned basis in a system that is more akin to incarceration than support.

We therefore wish to commend the work of Roderic O’Gorman TD in publishing the White Paper to end Direct Provision in 2024, and the system of regularisation of undocumented peoples in Ireland. However, it is vital to remember that many people are still residing in Direct Provision and require support now; their situation remains a stain and shame on the island’s character most particularly given that Direct Provision was installed to be a temporary “emergency” measure only.

We also note that despite the horror of Direct Provision, Ireland has remained uniquely insulated towards the rise of far-right activism in comparison to other European countries. We must do everything in our power to continue this fight. When Direct Provision is dismantled, there must be no similar process waiting to happen, and these people who have come to live on this island must be protected and welcomed into our society.

As such, we would like to reiterate our support for the “Born Here Belong Here” campaign which seeks to undo the racist and discriminatory campaign of the 2004 27th Amendment to the Irish Constitution. We know that 30 percent of those living in Direct Provision are children, and were it not for this racist amendment to the Irish Constitution, they may not have had to endure the callousness that is Direct Provision.