Globe House, Sligo
Amjad Rosstami is a 44-year-old Iranian Kurdish man who came to Ireland several months ago seeking asylum.
He reportedly came to Ireland via Britain where he was for four years.
After Ireland’s Department of Justice refused his application for refugee protection, Amjad faced a deportation order – to send him back to the UK – prompting him to go on hunger strike.
He is now on the 35th day of his hunger strike.
Ahmad Kamal, from Sudan, is Amjad’s roommate at Globe House where there were 195 asylum seekers living at the end of 2015. Ahmad has been in the direct provision system for 11 years.
Last Saturday, Ahmad spoke at Saturday’s rally in Dublin, calling for an end to the direct provision system and spoke of Amjad’s situation.
This morning, on RTÉ’s Today with Sean O’Rourke show, journalist Brian O’Connell broadcast an interview he carried out with Ahmad in Sligo last night.
“We share a room, he’s on hunger strike for 34 days. The first days were very horrible days – he was dying because [he was taking] no water, no food and his body not used to it. And then [after several days] when he started drinking [water], he seemed to be a little bit okay. Just, he’s so weak and he lost a lot of weight.
“He used to be very healthy, muscle man, now he’s very weak. He’s looking like he’s dying. He’s not moving out of the room, he just keeps lying in the bed because he has no energy to move. He’s sugar is low, his blood pressure is low and he’s, he’s too weak.”
“He wants Ireland to look after his case. He’s like lost for four years in the UK. The UK, they refused him so he decided to come to Ireland. He thought that this is his last chance. Die or Ireland will look after him.”
“He’s in danger. Iran want him, he’s wanted there and if he’s sent back, he will be killed there.”
“He’s a very quiet man, he’s very gentle. He doesn’t talk much. I really worry about my friend, he’s getting weaker and weaker every day. A couple of days [ago] he stopped drinking water and now he’s on hunger strike without water…”
Mr O’Connell explained that, at around 9pm last night, Amjad was complaining of severe stomach pains, an ambulance was called and he was transferred to Sligo General Hospital.
He said it’s unclear whether Amjad remains in the hospital or if he has been discharged.
Mr O’Connell also reported:
“There was a dramatic development in the case this morning. A Government source has confirmed that the deportation order has now been lifted and when I put it to them that the protest is continuing unless written confirmation is given, I’m told this will happen in the next few days – that he will be brought back into the asylum process on the basis that he stops his protest.
“Now, it’s unclear at the moment whether that will be enough to end the hunger strike, as he said he would only end the strike if he was officially interviewed by Department of Justice officials but it is a significant development. The deportation order which had been hanging over him has been lifted.
“But I guess many people at the vigil last night were asking: how was it that somebody could have been allowed spend 35 days on hunger strike before any significant progress was made?“
Previously: ‘Something Should Have Been Done For Her As A Matter Of Urgency’
So he is seeking asylum from the UK where he lived for 4 years and is now on hunger strike rather than go back to the UK. This sort of person is what gives genuine asylum seekers a bad name.
Such an bad cause to champion… of all the other people living in direct provision, and they decided to go with this guy(?)
A refugee from the UK apparently.
What time is the next ferry?
horse manure
Shame to see a wonderful building like Globe house going to waste.
I hope that that man has not put his health in jeopardy, and I hope that he gets all of the medical attention that he needs, but if he gets anything other than a one-way ticket to the UK, I will be disgusted at the authorities capitulation.
“Don’t get exactly what you want? Well, just use blackmail!”
Yiz are all heart.
When it’s due. Yes.
Take him into your gaff.
What is the cost of running this former convent in Sligo, this building needs to be put to better use for
the citizens of Sligo, both young and old, serious questions needed be to addressed in relation as those
who claim refugee status here, in respect as to how they gained entry to the Island of Ireland.
While should do all we can for those who are genuine, there those who are not, and they should be
sent home and the expense incurred in accommodating here billed to their own country.
as some one said he lived in england for rour years then when it did not go his way he got on the ferry over her and was also refused then he goes on hunger strike in a place where no on can verefie that hes not eating hes room mate is feeding him beacuse after 35 days without food he was only taken to hospital and released again so he must not be that sick the thing is if we give in to him every one thats refused in every country they apply for aslyum the will come here and say they are on hungerstrike