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The Journal
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Journal
'I'm leaving this country': Migrant workers call for immediate action in wake of attacks
MIGRANT WORKERS AND representatives from various organisations protested outside of the Department of the Taoiseach today, calling for immediate action from Government leaders in the wake of a spate of attacks against Indian people. Around 300 people turned out for the lunchtime protest, with some migrant workers telling The Journal that they plan to leave Ireland due to a rise in what one called 'subtle racism, and direct attacks'. The Indian Irish Society, the African Solidarity Centre Ireland and other organisations came together to deliver a letter to the Taoiseach Micheál Martin's office demanding immediate action in light of multiple assaults on Indian migrants that have been reported in the media in recent months. 'No one has taken responsibility. Due to the fear and anxiety caused by these incidents, one Indian cultural event has been cancelled,' the letter said, referencing the cancellation of the annual India Day celebration at Farmleigh House. They are asking for the attackers involved in these incidents to be prosecuted, for training for gardaí on how to handle racist attacks, and 'effective strategies against racism and hate crimes'. The Journal / YouTube One Indian tech worker, Abin, said that having lived and worked in Ireland for over two years, he now plans to leave within the next six months. 'It's the attacks and the fear, but it's also the subtle racism. I can work in other countries, I am just here to live abroad and get more experience for a while, just like Irish people who go to Australia in their twenties. 'Our demands as a community are very simple, we want to see gardaí deployed more in areas where there is a high incident rate of these racist attacks, including in areas like Tallaght. Many people are established here and it is not easy for them to leave, and they shouldn't have to,' Abin said. One Indian worker at the protest today held a sign that read 'I'm leaving this country'. Lassane Ouedraogo, the chair of the Africa Solidarity Centre Ireland, has been in Ireland for two decades. Today at the protest he said that he is also now planning to leave. Lassane told The Journal that he has been physically attacked over five times in Ireland, and that no one was ever persecuted in relation to the attacks. 'Each time you go to bed you are wondering what the next day will be like. You aren't sure that you will go to work safe and come back safe. If something happens, people are filming you, [there are] bystanders, the police take ages to come to your rescue. Advertisement 'Looking what happened on Sunday in Fairview with that man, his eyes were deeply cut,' Lassane said. The Journal / YouTube He added that his organisation and others have repeatedly called on the Government to strengthen legislation around hate crime and hate speech. Green Party Councillor Feljin Jose, who is a representative for Cabra-Glasnevin, said that bringing in stronger hate speech laws is one of the actions that the Government could have taken before now to protect the migrant communities of Ireland. The Journal / YouTube He also said that there has been a lack of action from senior government figures in response to the attacks against members of the Indian community. 'We've heard nothing from the Minister for Justice about it. I'm quite disappointed that he hasn't said anything at all. He's responsible for crime and safety laws, and he's said nothing.' He added that members of the Indian community are contacting him because they don't feel safe leaving the house anymore, and also that some are contacting him because they are worried for his safety as an Indian public representative. 'My parents are telling not to go out too late, not to get on the bus, it's sad actually,' Feljin said. 'Mates that I grew up with and went to school with are talking about leaving Ireland. These are people who have been in Ireland since they were 9 or ten-years-old. 'One of my friends is a healthcare assistant who cycles from appointment to appointment in Finglas, and he is being racially abused everyday. He wants to go and work in healthcare somewhere else.' Winifred, a Nigerian woman who has lived in Ireland for over two decades, who works in the Department of Foreign affairs, said that she went to the protest to show solidarity and speak out against the attacks that have been happening. 'On my break I have to go and protest. My colleagues don't hae to do that, but I don't feel safe anymore coming in and out of work,' she said. Tánaiste Simon Harris and Minister of State with responsibility for Migration, Colm Brophy met with members of the Indian community on Monday to discuss recent attacks on Indian citizens. Gardaí have said that the Garda diversity unit is working with the Federation of Indian Communities in Ireland to address present concerns and that the force 'would like to reassure those of an ethnic or minority background that we are here to keep you safe'. It's understood that the Justice Minister plans to meet with Indian community groups this week. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
New Indian Express
07-07-2025
- New Indian Express
17-year-old Kerala teen hitchhikes through 20 states, dreams of conquering Everest
KOZHIKODE: A 17-year-old from Kozhikode has accomplished a journey that remains a distant dream for many, even adults. While most teenagers spent their Class 11 vacation preparing for entrance exams or relaxing at home, Abin Babu set out on an extraordinary solo adventure, travelling through 20 Indian states and Nepal. With little money in hand, he relied on hitch-hiking and the kindness of strangers to turn his travel dreams into a remarkable reality. It wasn't the first time Abin had ventured out alone. His first solo trip happened during his Class 10 vacation, when he travelled across several northern states over 50 days. Convincing his family to let him travel alone was no easy task. 'When I was 14, my father fell ill and was admitted to a hospital in Bengaluru. I had to travel alone to visit him. That experience changed my life,' Abin tells TNIE. The trip helped him realise the freedom and the confidence that comes with solo travel. 'So, by the time my Class 10 exams were over, I was determined to go on a long trip to north India. At first, my parents thought I was joking, but eventually, I stood firm on my decision,' he says. Abin's first journey was carefully planned, travelling by train and visiting only popular destinations. But this time, armed with experience, he took a bolder route. 'For this journey, I didn't travel by train or bus. I hitchhiked, taking lifts from interstate lorry drivers and any vehicle I could find along the way. I stayed and ate at gurudwaras, temples, churches... wherever I could find shelter,' Abin says.
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Brazil's Lula to visit Paraguay following invitation from President Pena
SAO PAULO (Reuters) -Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Thursday accepted an invitation from his Paraguayan counterpart, Santiago Pena, to visit the neighboring country, the Brazilian government said in a statement. The two Latin American nations pledged to resume the review of Annex C of the Itaipu hydroelectric power plant treaty, the statement said. The hydroelectric power plant is a binational venture between Brazil and Paraguay. Negotiations related to the Itaipu plant, initially set to conclude by end-May, were suspended in April following Paraguay's request for Brazil to clarify an "intelligence action" against its neighbor. The ongoing investigations into alleged unauthorized activities by Brazilian intelligence agency Abin in relation to Paraguay were a topic of the talks between the two leaders, who "reiterated respect and dialogue", the statement said. Earlier on Thursday, Pena said in a post on X that he raised concerns about the case during the meeting with Lula and requested further clarification. Lula and Pena met in the Brazilian embassy in Buenos Aires during the Mercosur summit.
Straits Times
03-07-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Brazil's Lula to visit Paraguay following invitation from President Pena
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Paraguayan President Santiago Pena interacts with Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva as they pose for a family photo at the Summit of Presidents of MERCOSUR, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, July 3, 2025. REUTERS/Alessia Maccioni SAO PAULO - Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Thursday accepted an invitation from his Paraguayan counterpart, Santiago Pena, to visit the neighboring country, the Brazilian government said in a statement. The two Latin American nations pledged to resume the review of Annex C of the Itaipu hydroelectric power plant treaty, the statement said. The hydroelectric power plant is a binational venture between Brazil and Paraguay. Negotiations related to the Itaipu plant, initially set to conclude by end-May, were suspended in April following Paraguay's request for Brazil to clarify an "intelligence action" against its neighbor. The ongoing investigations into alleged unauthorized activities by Brazilian intelligence agency Abin in relation to Paraguay were a topic of the talks between the two leaders, who "reiterated respect and dialogue", the statement said. Earlier on Thursday, Pena said in a post on X that he raised concerns about the case during the meeting with Lula and requested further clarification. Lula and Pena met in the Brazilian embassy in Buenos Aires during the Mercosur summit. REUTERS
The Hindu
03-07-2025
- The Hindu
Tambaram gets ‘traffic marshal' two-wheelers to tackle congestion, accidents
The Tambaram City Traffic Police (TCTP) have launched an initiative to improve road safety and traffic management by introducing 26 'traffic marshal' two-wheelers. These vehicles will patrol Grand Southern Trunk (GST) Road, Rajiv Gandhi Salai (OMR), East Coast Road (ECR), 200 Feet Radial Road, and other important arterial roads within the TCTP limits. Each vehicle is equipped with a public address system, siren, and blinking lights to improve visibility, especially during night patrols and rush hours. The traffic marshals will work in eight-hour shifts, focusing on peak hours, clearing traffic congestion, managing accident scenes, assisting with vehicle breakdowns, and ensuring smooth traffic flow near educational institutions and offices. Launching the initiative on Wednesday (July 2, 2025), Tambaram City Police Commissioner Abin Dinesh Modak said the TCTP has also carried out several improvement drives to make roads safer and more efficient, as well as special drives to remove roadside encroachments on major arterial roads. More than 150 roadside food carts have been removed, Mr. Abin said. Wrong-side driving Strict enforcement against wrong-side driving has led to the registration of more than 4,000 cases. Major changes, like the improvements made at the Kamatchi Hospital Junction, where waiting timing has reduced considerably, have been introduced. Similarly, the implementation of a one-way system in Kundrathur has also helped in easing traffic, he said. As a result of these efforts, traffic rule enforcement has significantly increased. A total of 2,25,109 cases under the Motor Vehicles (MV) Act were registered as of June 2025, up from 1,50,778 cases in 2024. Helmet violation cases alone rose to 48,551, compared to 26,051 last year. Drunken driving enforcement has also been intensified. The TCTP registered 4,827 cases in 2025, up from 1,937 in 2024. All offenders faced licence cancellation as part of stricter penalties. Increased late-night patrolling contributed to a drop in accidents during night hours, he added. The officer said public awareness and community engagement remain a key focus, and campaigns like the 'No Helmet No Ride' programme aim to encourage helmet use. Special drives against wrong-side driving and workshops for auto and cab drivers promote safe driving habits and better legal compliance, he added. All accident-prone areas, or 'black spots', have been fixed through coordination with local civic bodies, road authorities, and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), said traffic police officials.
