Call for independent investigation into death of Yves Sakila

In correspondence sent yesterday to the justice minister, the Garda commissioner and the executive director of Fiosrú, Office of the Police Ombudsman, the special rapporteur, Dr Ebun Joseph, expressed concern following the emergence of footage of the incident circulating publicly.

The letter acknowledged that both An Garda Síochána and Fiosrú have already opened investigations but argued that, given the seriousness of the case and the level of public concern, any examination must be demonstrably independent, impartial and thorough.

Dr Joseph said: “The footage that has emerged has caused profound distress, fear, and outrage across many communities, particularly among Black and minority ethnic communities who already experience heightened anxiety regarding racial profiling, excessive force, unequal treatment, and over-policing in public spaces. The scenes depicted are deeply disturbing and raise urgent and serious questions which require comprehensive examination.”

The correspondence warns that public confidence cannot be rebuilt through “silence, minimisation, or procedural formality alone”.

“Public confidence cannot be restored through silence, minimisation, or procedural formality alone. It can only be restored through visible accountability, transparency, fairness, and a clear demonstration that every human life is afforded equal dignity and protection under the law,” the statement said.

Dr Joseph also linked the case to broader concerns about public discourse surrounding migrants and minority ethnic communities.

“This incident does not exist in isolation. It emerges within a broader social and political climate in which increasingly hostile rhetoric surrounding migrants, refugees, racialised minorities, and Black communities has become more visible and, at times, normalised within public discourse. Such rhetoric contributes to the dehumanisation of vulnerable communities and risks creating an environment in which violence, suspicion, and unequal treatment become more socially tolerated.”

Reference was also made to commitments under Ireland’s National Action Plan Against Racism (NAPAR), including obligations to ensure minority ethnic communities can live free from violence, discrimination and unequal treatment.

“One of the central pillars of NAPAR is the commitment to ensuring that minority communities experience safety, dignity, and equal protection under the law. Incidents of this nature risk significantly undermining public confidence in those commitments.”

The correspondence calls for preservation and examination of all available evidence, regular public updates on the progress of investigations, meaningful engagement with affected communities and consideration of wider concerns relating to racial profiling, use of force and institutional accountability.