The CEO of a prominent Midwest migrant rights group says the processing of Afghan refugee applications on Knockalisheen and other direct provision centres is now ‘paramount’.
It comes as the United Nations claims there are ‘chilling reports’ from Afghanistan since the Taliban took control, with seven people dying at Kabul airport while trying to flee the country.
Up to 150 humanitarian visas are being made available by government for Afghans, under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme, which will mean they won’t have to enter the direct provision system upon arriving here.
A number of refugees in Knockalisheen and Clare Lodge direct provision centres are believed to be of Afghan origin and CEO of Doras Luimni, John Lannon, says their applications for asylum must now be processed by the Department of Foreign Affairs as a priority.
