The situation as of 2pm on 18th of May is that all bar
two of the hunger strikers are now back in the
cathedral in a stable condition; all are now taking
fluids although its not clear if some are having
fluids intravenously.

They hunger strikers have restated this morning their
intent to remain on huner strike until 'a positive
solution' has been reached. The government are
refusing to budge only saying that they are urging the
health authority to removed the minors ( their are two
kids of 17 years old) from the hunger strike.

There has been a series of officals ( UN, government,
priests, etc) going into talk to the hunger strikers
who are occupying StPatricks cathedral, the cathedral
is now closed to the public.

Vigils and demos are held twice a day at 12.30 and
6.30. Members of residents agaisnt racism are allowed
in to the hungerstrikers and are asking people to send
letters of support to them as it increases morale
immensly.

One of the problems that has been faced is that
strikers went on water strike as well as hunger
strike,meaning by the time ( wed) that the news was
really out there and people realised this was really
happening -the men were already becoming unconcious
and being admitted to hospital.

The press here has been generally absolutely
shockingly appalling, very unsympathetic and whipping
themselves and the general public into frenzy. Last
night there were around 14 racists standing next to
us trying to drown out our shouting we expect there
will be more tonight as things get bigger.

There is a big demo and acitons planned for Friday and
Saturday in Dublin. Solidairty letters/ actions are
much appreciated by the men as it boost their morale
as are cards etc
Saint Patrick's Cathedral, Saint Patrick's Close,
Dublin 8, Ireland
there is also an email address that I sent you
yesterday but have since lost.

Love kim

Amnesty Requests Irish Government Not to Return Afghan
Asylum Seekers
Public Statement: Tuesday 16th May 2006

Amnesty International believes that current conditions
in Afghanistan are generally adverse to the return of
rejected asylum-seekers as there are no sufficient or
durable guarantees ensuring that such returns are safe
and dignified.

The Afghanistan Government and its international
partners are still incapable of providing security to
the people of Afghanistan. In August 2005, the
Afghanistan Minister for Refugees and Repatriation
stated that 40% of all returned refugees were in a
vulnerable situation, "struggling between hope and
hopelessness".

If reports in the media are accurate, the men on
hunger strike in St Patrick's Cathedral have been
unsuccessful at first stage of the refugee
applications process, and some have also been rejected
on appeal. We are unfamiliar with the precise details
of these individual cases as yet, hence, while Amnesty
certainly has some concerns about the overall asylum
process in Ireland, it cannot comment specifically
about these cases. For those who were rejected at all
stages, they may still appeal to the Minister for
Justice for humanitarian leave to remain. Amnesty
encourages the Irish Government to ensure that these
individuals are not returned to Afghanistan while the
present circumstances there persist. Any return of
rejected asylum-seekers should take place in safety,
dignity and with full respect for human rights, which
cannot be guaranteed at present.