The Human Rights Commission (who readers will remember from their recent argument with the Government over Rendition) have, in preliminary observations on the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill as published, criticised two particular elements of same.The two elements are the provision for detaining asylum systems in Prision pending deportation (as opposed to special detention centres) and for limiting access to the courts to challenge deportations. The Commission have indicated that holding persons in prison who have not committed a criminal offence or are on remand pending trial is in breach of their human rights under various international treaties. They have also raised issues surrounding deporting persons who have high court proceedings in train as this would effectively undermine the judicial process as what is intended by taking proceedings is to prevent deportation, should the high court so agree.

Links hereunder:

http://www.ihrc.ie/home/wnarticle.asp?N ... T=N&Print=

http://www.ihrc.ie/documents/article.as ... T=N&Print=