Life as an asylum seeker
True life story of an asylum seeker's experience in Ireland.
Alias: schoolteacher, father and fiancée. It might sound pretty standard but the truth is that his story is far from ordinary.
Cameroon is in West Africa and unlike some of its neighbouring nations; it is well endowed with natural resources. However because of colonialism, corrupt governments and unfair trade agreements Cameroon’s rich and powerful enjoy luxuries such as expensive cars and huge mansions while the poor are oppressed and dictated to.
The politicians give the outside world false photo opportunities at election time when the reality is a world of violence, corruption and deceit. So when a young man by the name of Alias got a printing job to print literature that spoke out against the government he thought of it as a chance to make a difference for his family and his country. But when plain clothed police caught him with all this literature, the evidence was so stacked up against him that he was forced to flee.
Some of his friends and colleagues gave him money to escape the country or he would have faced unjust persecution in a country where criticising the government means big trouble.
Alias arrived in Ireland in June of 2003. After leaving his fiancée and little girl he found himself in a refugee centre in Dublin cramped up together in a small room of 5 men where morale was low. There he was told he would be called upon for an interview in about 3 months. 6 months later he got his interview and his application for asylum was rejected.
Then he appealed, and the Department of Justice is still undecided about his case. At present he is not allowed to work and lives on a weekly sum of €19.10 with bed and board in a centre provided by the state. Could you live on that?
Alias has now been in Ireland for 3 years and still has no idea what way his case will go.
There are many people in his position in the world. As Ireland grows in population and diversity, maybe we will see the similarities between Alias’ situation and one just 80 years ago where many Irish intellectuals had to flee our country in fear of unjust persecution.
How many countries took us Irish in? Do you even know or care? It’s time now to help others while history repeats itself in a different country and welcome them with an open mind and a smile.
Find advice for Refugees and Asylum-Seekers from the Irish Refugee Council.
This article is part of the SpunOut.ie true life stories section – a space for young people to share their experiences of tough times and encourage others to seek help. This story is just one person's experience and it may be different for you. Remember that no matter what you are going through, there is help and support available. See the Find help section for more information: www.spunout.ie/help/
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