Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

In response to my parliamentary question in November, the Minister said he was happy with the provisions in the EU-Afghanistan joint way forward on migration. He seemed satisfied that vulnerable refugees would be protected there upon deportation. However, the Department of Foreign Affairs travel advice for Afghanistan has the instruction "do not travel". Therefore, Irish citizens should under no circumstances go to Afghanistan because it is not deemed safe enough for us, but we are happy to deport refugees there, including women and children.

In his response, the Minister also referred to the fact that this deal is not a formal agreement and therefore creates no rights or obligations under international law. This informal deal drastically affects the lives of up to 80,000 of the world's most vulnerable people. It is unclear where they will stand as regards their rights under international law. The EU's shift from value-based diplomacy to bargain diplomacy is worrying. It is well known that in exchange for accepting deported refugees, Afghanistan will benefit from increased financial aid from the EU. We met Afghans in Calais and none of them wanted to go back because they left for fear of their lives. Going back was not an option for them. How in God's name can the EU send people back to a country they left in fear for their lives?

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