Anti-racism group denies Nigerians have called off hunger strike

An anti-racism group, representing a group of Nigerian asylum-seekers protesting at their signing on conditions, today refuted claims that the Nigerians had called off their hunger strike.

Yesterday, a spokesperson for the Department of Justice told The Irish Times that all 70 of the hunger strikers ate a meal yesterday.

That claim was described as "absolutely untrue" by Spokesperson for Residents against Racism Rosanna Flynn.

She told Spudnik that some of the asylum-seekers had to stop the hunger strike because of severe medical conditions while those who were pregnant or breastfeeding also ceased their strike following advice. Ms Flynn said 48 Nigerians staying in Lower Gardiner Street were continuing to refuse food, but, not liquids. She said some of them had begun to appear "quite gaunt" after being on hunger strike since Wednesday.

The Nigerians 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 say as some of their children live outside the capital, the process of signing on twice a day makes it impossible for them to see their children.

The group 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.


They also fear that they are being prepared for deportation and plan to protest outside the Dáil at lunchtime today.

A spokesman for the Department of Justice said the signing in procedure is being reduced to once a day, in the evening.