The Irish government is reportedly considering chartering flights to deport immigrants who have been denied asylum in the country. This move has sparked controversy and criticism from human rights groups, who argue that it violates the dignity and rights of refugees and asylum seekers.
According to the Office of Government Procurement, the government expects to identify a sufficient number of individuals from specific countries of origin, such as Algeria and Botswana, to make charter flights economically viable.
The government also claims that it wants to speed up the asylum application process for people coming from so-called ‘safe countries’, where there is no risk of persecution or serious harm¹².
However, this policy raises several ethical and legal questions. First, how does the government determine which countries are safe for asylum seekers? The list of safe countries is based on a subjective and arbitrary assessment of the human rights situation in those countries, which may not reflect the reality on the ground or the individual circumstances of each applicant.
For example, Algeria has been accused of racking down on peaceful protesters and journalists, while Botswana has criminalised homosexuality and discriminated against indigenous people.
Second, how does the government ensure that the charter flights respect the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits the return of refugees and asylum seekers to a country where they face a risk of persecution or serious harm? The charter flights may not allow for adequate legal representation, access to information, or appeal procedures for the deportees, who may be subjected to coercion, violence, or abuse during the removal process. Moreover, the charter flights may violate the sovereignty and consent of the destination countries, who may not have the capacity or willingness to receive and protect the deportees.
How can the government justify spending public funds on charter flights, which are not only expensive but also inefficient and environmentally harmful? Over the 18 months leading up to June 2024, the government spent €14 million on charter flights to deport asylum seekers. However, many of those supposed to be deported did not board the planes, resulting in numerous half-empty flights.
The use of charter flights also contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change, which disproportionately affect vulnerable people such as refugees and asylum seekers.
Government’spolicy of chartering flights to deport immigrants who have been denied asylum is a flawed and inhumane approach that should be reconsidered.
The government should instead focus on providing fair and efficient asylum procedures, humane and dignified reception conditions, and meaningful integration opportunities for refugees and asylum seekers in Ireland. This would not only uphold the government’s legal and moral obligations, but also benefit the society and economy of the country.
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