New report by NUIG student highlights impact of Direct Provision on children’s rights

By Caoimhe Killeen

Seven graduates of the LLM (International Rights) degree at NUI Galway have collaborated with the Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland (MASI) to research and author a report entitled “Direct Provision’s Impact on Children: A Human Rights Analysis” through NUI Galway’s Human Rights Law Clinic.

The report highlights how children’s human rights are being impacted on in the Direct Provision system and was also presented to Roderic O’Gorman, Minister for Children, Disability, Equality, and Integration. It was submitted to assist him in showing how Direct Provision separates children seeking asylum in Ireland from their peers, as well as a violation of human rights on a national, European, and international level.

It highlights a breach of rights in a wide range of areas from isolated accommodation, barriers to mental health and social care services, high costs for educational materials, lack of proper nutrition in centres and a lack of transparency in vetting and staff training for child protection.

It also criticised Tusla for their “lack of involvement” which “fails to properly address potential risk to children.” The students also criticised the new National Standards for Direct Provision, due to take effect next January, as it fails “to acknowledge the unsuitability of communal education for children” and does nothing “ to remedy the structural poverty enforced by the system.”

Róisín Dunbar, one of the seven graduate students who was involved in the project stated that this research was undertaken as part of the year-long Human Rights Law Clinic module supervised under Dr Maeve O’Rourke and took about six months to complete. “This module allowed LLM students to use our knowledge and skills to assist communitybased projects focused on social change,” stated Roisin. The Clinic has also allowed students, like us, to develop and learn new skills needed for lawyers interested in human rights and social change.”

Evgeny Storn, an activist from MASI and sociologist, was responsible for creating the research project idea and working closely with the students on this project. ““This was one of the most useful collaborations I’ve had in the years of campaigning against the segregation which is Direct Provision,” stated Storn. “What has been done here, is an elaboration of a solid, robust, and well-grounded argument as to why Direct Provision needs to become a matter of the past. This is a fruitful collective action, where our expertise as activists has been fiercely supported by scholars of the Irish Centre for Human Rights.”

MASI’s mission is to provide “a platform for asylum seekers to join together in unity and purpose.” Their experience with the Direct Provision system and as people undergoing international processes of citizen application makes them “uniquely placed

Meave O Rourke. Photo: Dara Mac Donaill Irish Times

to offer direction to the Committee on Justice and Equality on these issues.”

“The abolishment of Direct Provision is something MASI have been advocating on for many years,” added Róisín.

“Evgeny of MASI highlighted the issues facing children in Direct Provision. Our initial literature review of our previous report found a lack of child rights material on Direct Provision further confirming the need to highlight the impact of Direct Provision on children.”

Róisín also shared her hopes for the report following its submission to Minister O’Gorman and the Government’s commitment to the abolition of Direct Provision. “We hope that this report will not only highlight the need for Direct Provision’s abolishment on a government level but also with the public- that this report will highlight the inadequacy of the National Standards and inform future asylum-seeker accommodation policy in Ireland, particularly the White Paper on Direct Provision due to be published in December 2020.”

The research was conducted under the supervision of Dr Maeve O’Rourke through the Human Law Centre at the Irish Centre of Human Rights based at NUI Galway. Dr’ O Rourke stated the report was part of a larger project started by last year’s students to highlight awareness about Direct Provision, and to make it a key issue for the General Election held earlier this year. She hoped that “this year’s students will keep a focus that last year’s students identified in Direct Provision…Public pressure is badly needed to make sure that change comes about.”

She also highlighted how the purpose of Human Rights Law clinic was to introduce students to movement lawyering, a practice in which students “work directly and completely with human rights and grassroots organisations on social justice and community issues.”

The report also coincides with the 30th anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Emily Logan, Adjunct Professor at the Irish Centre for Human Rights as well as Chief Commissioner on the Rights of the Child penned the forword to the project, stating that it was “heartening to see young people taking such a genuine interest beyond their immediate scholarship to seek to influence and vindicate the rights of children in this state.”

Students’ Union launch SHAG Week

Paddy Henry

The Students’ Union have formally launched this semester’s edition of Sexual Health and Guidance (SHAG) Week.

Owing to Covid-19 restrictions SHAG Week, which runs from the 1st to the 4th of December sees the Union host a series of online events, looking at key issues impacting on the Sexual Health and Wellbeing of students including consent, image based sexual abuse, victim blaming, period poverty and STI awareness

The workshop on Image Based Sexual Abuse will explore what “revenge porn” is, legislation, and how victims can be supported both emotionally and practically. This is an issue that is on the rise rapidly in Ireland and we need to work to ensure people understand that this act can have very damaging consequences.

The launch of this event is timely following the uncovering of an online platform which contained thousands of intimate images of women and underage girls last week.

The news sparked outrage online and led to the proposal of a bill by Minister for Justice Helen McEntee which would outlaw the making and sharing of intimate images without consent and punishable by fines and a prison term of up to seven years.

Other events taking place include the Active* Consent workshops which provides a safe space to explore the nuances of sexual consent and how best to negotiate active sexual consent.

The Union say that these workshops give young people engaging and up-to-date information and skills that are practical and relevant for their own relationships.

Students’ Union Vice-President and Welfare and Equality Officer Róisín Nic Lochlainn spoke of the importance of SHAG week and highlighted the need for student representative bodies and Universities to take strong action in helping to bring to an end many prevalent societal issues in the area of sexual harassment, stating;

“We have some great workshops and events coming up this week for SHAG Week. Students’ Unions and Universities need to take a strong lead in ending the culture of victim blaming as sexual violence and harassment are still prevalent issues in today’s world. Consent is Ongoing, Mutual and Freely Given – this is the core message of the NUIG Smart Consent courses.”

Students’ Union President Pádraic Toomey expressed his hope that the initiative will help encourage students and said that Ireland still “has a long way to go” when it comes to talking openly about sex, stating ,

“We hope that our SHAG week events will encourage our students to take a responsible attitude to sexual health and healthy relationships. We still have a long way to go in Irish society in terms of breaking down the taboo of talking about sex. We want our students to be educated about their sexual safety.”

More details on the events are available online at the Students’ Union website.

Former USI President Síona Cahill joins the Gaisce Award

By Conor Brummell

Former President of the Union of Students in Ireland, Síona Cahill, has joined the President’s Award Gaisce team as head of Public Affairs and Communications. With over six years’ experience in advocacy, campaigns, and public affairs, Síona has been described as a perfect addition to the young people’s award. She was shortlisted alongside activist Greta Thunberg in the Women of Europe Awards in 2019 and is a recipient of an NXF GALA for her work on LGBT+ advocacy.

Ms Cahill is also a graduate of BCL Civil Law and Sociology at Maynooth University. She has previously sat on the Department of Education’s expert group on consent at third level, on the Department of Justice and Equality’s steering group on the strategy for Women and Girls, as well as contributing to Ireland’s first LGBTI+ Youth strategy. She spoke to SIN about her appointment to the position, and how her previous advocacy work will help in her new role.

“The power of the youth voice has been at the heart of my career to date across the charity and NGO sector, from access to education to youth advocacy, to reaching marginalised and underrepresented groups.2,” said Siona.

“I am so excited to join a dynamic team with Gaisce – The President’s Award led by Yvonne McKenna, CEO. 2020 has been a fiercely challenging year for young people; and strong mentorship, educational programming and support needs to be visible and accessible to them regardless of where they live or their means.

“The Gaisce Award is an opportunity to challenge yourself through personal skills development, physical recreation and community engagement, and thousands of young people are doing incredible stuff at every corner of the country right now – I can’t wait to share their stories with the world,” she finished.

CEO of Gaisce – The President’s Award Yvonne McKenna welcomed Síona’s appointment, remarking that she was ‘delighted’.

“I am delighted that Síona is joining our staff team to lead on Gaisce’s public affairs and communications. She has already set an ambitious agenda to engage with public representatives and those working for and with young people across the country to enhance the experience of Gaisce – The President’s Award and encourage more young people to participate in Ireland’s leading youth selfempowerment programme.”

“Síona will play a leading part in driving our public facing activity and we are delighted to have her on the team.”

The Chair of Gaisce – The President’s Award Council, John Cunningham also stated, “I am so delighted to have Síona join our team - her values, energy and professional expertise has already had an impact, as we trended across the day for ‘Lá Gaisce’ celebrating over 20,000 young people participating this year so far.

“Gaisce - The President’s Award is so important as we all fight Covid-19, and Síona is going to help bring that message to the widest audience using her skill and wealth of experience representing young people,” he finished.