REFUGEES. REPORT. LIFE.
NEWTIMES AUTUMN 2015 > ISSUE # 95
Go home In 2014 the Danish police deported 517 rejected asylum seekers. That is the third highest number of deportations during the last 10 years.
WELCOME 30.000 DANES WELCOMED REFUGEES IN HUGE DEMONSTRATION
HEALTH CARE DO REJECTED ASYLUM SEEKERS GET LESS HEALTH CARE?
WATCH OUT GUIDE TO PROTECT YOUR ONLINE IDENTITY
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DEAR READER Denmark has recently experienced a huge rise in the number of asylum seekers. The consequence of the destruction of Syria is now reaching Denmark. Since the big groups of mostly Syrian men and families started crossing the German border into Denmark on foot the media and the politicians have covered nothing else. Only a little news about the first Danish astronaut, the Defence Minister’s likely misuse of taxpayers’ money and the nuclear deal with Iran
beat the refugee crisis headlines once in awhile. The reactions have been very mixed. EU is negotiating a solution of the distribution of 120.000 extra refugees among the member states, but a majority of the Danish political parties refuses to engage in such a plan. ”Denmark is already taking more than it’s share”, the Prime Minister said for many weeks until he decided to accept an extra 1000 refugees. The Danish People’s Party is strongly against this and
says the only way Denmark can take more refugees is by putting them in refugee camps – preferably in Greenland - until they can go home. Danish Red Cross and many others criticize this curios idea strongly. All experience has shown that people start breaking down after one year in a camp. Especially the children will suffer. As well as Denmark’s reputation in the world. While most of the politicians have been reluctant and slow to deliver more help, the citizens of
Denmark have risen in a regular people’s movement to help. More than 30.000 people demonstrated in front of the Parliament in Copenhagen saying ”Refugees Welcome”. Private donations to asylum centers and humanitarian organisations soars, and Danes are lining up everywhere to help the refugees. The strength and depth of this popular movement for the refugees is the biggest seen in Denmark.
reaching Europe are all refugees, who flee from wars and oppression.
According to numbers from the UNHCR 85% of the people now
Robin Ali Ahrenkiel El-Tanany
Let us help them.
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Three members from New Times, Houda, Marion and Hamid, covering the big demonstration in Copenhagen calling for more support from Denmark to the refugees. Photo: Michael Bang
REFUGEES. REPORT. LIFE.
NEWTIMES Published by: The Danish Red Cross Editorial Office: New Times Rosenørns Allé 31, 2. sal, 1970 Frederiksberg Email: newtimesdk@gmail.com www.newtimes.dk Tel. +45 23 34 58 87 Editor: Robin Ali Ahrenkiel El-Tanany
New Times Journalists: Negar, Makmoud, Ahmed, Sam, Ismael, Eden, Ruth, Marion, Houda and Hamid Editorial assistants: Camilla Q. Madsen, Michael Bang and Anna Franziska Volunteers: Jolanda Interns: Silje Garnås Kristiansen Layout: Jens Burau, supergreen.dk Photo frontpage: Typewriter by Florian Klauer, Unsplash, dedicated to the public domain using CC0.
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ASIG: ASIG (Asylum Seekers Information Group) answers questions about asylum and life as a refugee. Individuals, teachers, students, journalists and anyone interested in asylum matters are welcome to send an inquiry. To book the group for lectures, presentations and discussions contact newtimesdk@gmail.com Support: We are supported by the Danish Red Cross adult education and training department. Note: Some of the journalists use their real names, but some use pseudonyms because they do not want their whereabouts known by people in their home countries.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed are those of the authors and the persons interviewed and not – unless stated clearly – the opinion of the Danish Red Cross.
THE PEOPLE WHO ARE ORDERED BACK
In 2014 the Danish police deported 517 rejected asylum seekers. That is the third highest number of deportations during the last 10 years. Many of the deported asylum seekers were sent to Afghanistan. In the beginning of 2015 the authorities also started to deport people to Somalia. Afghanistan and Somalia are both countries that the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs warn Danes about going to. The Afghans and Somalis - and most other rejected asylum seekers from unstable countries - are afraid and nervous. Who knows who will be the next?
NEW TIMES | AUTUMN 2015 | ISSUE # 95| PAGE 3
“WHY SEND US BACK TO A COUNTRY IN WAR?”
Her children were born in a country full of peace, freedom and equality, but now they are told to go to a country full of war, conflicts and instability. A country called Iraq where tension between religious groups has caused large destructions
we may die on the way, not in the country.” She also added: “My son Ibrahim, he understands. He is turning 10-years-old. He thinks a lot about the residence permit. He often asks me, “Mom, will we get the permit? Why can’t we travel on a holiday to another country?” I reply, “I don’t know.” I really hope that I will get an answer soon.”
❚❚By: Hamid Mukhtari and Anna Franziska Howaida M. Rustem is a young woman, who has been living in Denmark for more than 11 years with her husband Fadel Amin, who has been in Denmark for more than 15 years. Their two children, Ozlem Amin and Ibrahim Amin, are born in Denmark but still do not have any permit. After one decade the Immigration Service has decided to deport them back to Kirkuk city of Iraq.
VIDEO
Watch our interview with Howaida on www.newtimes.dk or scan this QR-code for direct access.
What is your request? “I hope that we will not be sent back. We want freedom and security in a free country not a country that is in war,” Howaida M. Rustem said to New Times.
What are you scared of? Howaida M. Rustem answers with exhaustion evident in her eyes to the question of New Times. “I am really scared because there is war in Iraq. Why should we be sent back to a place that is in war? My children are born here in Denmark as Danish children. They do not understand Arabic - they even do not understand my language. They only speak Danish to me at home. But if we are being sent back,
WHEN THE POLICE STANDS IN YOUR ROOM On March 19, 2015, at 8:00 a.m. Amel Mahmoud, a 29-year-old woman from Somalia, suddenly saw four policemen in her house ❚❚By Eden Amel Mahmoud was rejected in Denmark and told to go back to Italy where she was registered in 2008. She did not want to go back there but on March 19 at 8am four policemen were suddenly standing in her house. “I did not know who opened the door and my kids were very scared and crying a lot. One of the policemen said I should prepare myself and that we would get send back to Somalia. I replied, why? You wanted to send me to Somalia with my kids I did not go there. Then they replied that we would get send back to Italy. I packed
some clothes even though I did not know what I should do. Four policemen followed me to Italy, Roma airport and when we reached there they showed my picture and my kids to the Italian policemen and after more than one hour they did not reach an agreement to accept me.”
ANOTHER POLICE OFFICE
“Hours later, the Danish police took me to the another police office and gave them my documents, and this officer asked me if I had any family or friends in Italy and I replied that I don’t have any. One of the Danish policemen gave me 265 Euro
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and left me with a “good luck”. Then, one police woman came to the office and I asked her to give me my suitcases, but she told me that they were lost. Thus, I stayed in Roma Airport prison for six days without any change clothes, and we were sleeping on a long set chair.”
NOT ACCEPTED
“Then after six days, one police came and asked me some questions about how long I had been in Denmark, where my kids were born, how I was deported from Denmark. I answered all these questions and then he said that they don’t accept me and my kids in Italy, and that
they will send me back to Denmark and inform the Danish police.”
BACK TO DENMARK
“After that, the Italian police put me in the airplane with my children without any policemen to follow me, knowing that the Danish police put me in the airplane by force to go to Italy.” Now she is in Denmark. But she does not know what will happen next. “There is no life in Italy; no money, no house, nothing can support me to survive, and I am worried for my children. In Italy I was looking for food from the charity Caritas, lunch and
dinner. We were sleeping on the train station. It is very hard to find a job because no one are looking after my kids. With my kids no one accepts me to work. My future is unknown, as Italy has refused to accept me no more. Denmark may send me back to Somalia. I’m so afraid because I have heard some Somali have been deported by force to Somalia.”
DEPORTED FAMILY LIVES ON THE STREETS IN KABUL Alarming messages are sent from Kabul. Kenni Hyldahl, former Red Cross teacher, is very worried for the family. The threat from Taliban is even bigger now, than when they fled in the first place ❚❚By: Jolanda “If I die, will you come and visit my grave in Kabul?” This message is what teacher Kenni Hyldahl (40) received in January. The message was sent by the 15 years old Omreh Shamsi. Omreh is one of five children in a family from Afghanistan, who was deported on the sixth of December 2014.
DANGEROUS TO RETURN TO AFGHANISTAN AND TALIBAN
Kenni Hyldahl, has been in contact with them since they were deported. He is the children’s former teacher in the Red Cross school in Lynge. ”This is indeed a sad story”, Kenni Hyldahl says. ”Since they’ve been sent back to Afghanistan they live mostly on the streets. The par-
ents are getting more and more sick, and they don’t have money for medicine and not even for food. When they are lucky, some nights they can sleep at friends’ houses, but only for a short period of time. They fled from Taliban, but now they are in a dangerous situation again. It is commonly known that if you have lived in the western world as a Muslim and return to Afghanistan, you are a disgrace to the Taliban“, says Kenni Hyldahl.
GAVE UP JOB TO KEEP CONTACT WITH THE FAMILY
Kenni Hyldahl, has stopped working for Red Cross to be able to keep in contact with family. Professional rules forbid personal contact between Red Cross staff and asylum seekers. He realized that his human’s
motives override his professionals, when one of the girls in the family attempted suicide in Auderød asylum center. “I worry a lot about her. She was always the one that was fighting for the rest of family and could encourage them. She took care of the medicine for parents and she was a moral support for entire family and never gave up. Even during the long journey,wich was extremly hard.They fled by food through many countries only traveling at night. Smugglers treating them like animals. Omreh told me stories about living in cellars smelling of urine with smugglers hitting, kicking and breaking fingers if they didn’t do as told. She had a hard time telling about it. It seems she is giving up now.
Since then I have no contact with her,“ says Kenni Hyldahl.
HELP FROM DENMARK TO THE FAMILY
Kenni Hyldahl, some other former Red Cross’ employers and the Danish organization “Asylret” has collected around 25.000DKK, which was sent to Omreh and the family three months ago. Engel Rasmussen, a freelance journalist in Kabul, helped with the delivery of the money. The family has asked for help at Human Rights Watch and they contacted Abdul Ghafoor and he gave them directions to go to for help, but their moving is limited. So, their life continues on the streets.
Kenni Hyldahl, former Red Cross teacher, is very worried for the family, who now lives on the streets in Kabul. Photo: private
The family sent this picture from Kabul to Denmark. From left to right: Omreh, Zahra, Maryam, Amir and Enjila Photo: private
NEW TIMES | AUTUMN 2015 | ISSUE # 95| PAGE 5
DENMARK SENDS FAMILY BACK TO BRUTAL POLICE IN HUNGARY A Kurdish-Iranian family endured beatings, humiliations and denial of water and food under Hungarian police’s custody. Now Denmark will send them back to Hungary ❚❚By: Negar All refugees asking for protection in Europe need to have their case processed in the first EU member state of EU they come to. Even though that country offers inhumane, brutal conditions for asylum seekers. That means that a relatively high number of refugees who reach Denmark are being forced to go back to countries where they have faced inhumane conditions and beatings. The Kurdish-Iranian family consisting of F. Mohamadi his wife M. Nasiri and their daughter M. Mohamadi shares their fear with New Times. They tell their story from their room in the asylum center Avnstrup in the center of Zealand. Can you describe your travel from Iran to Hungary? “It was very hard. After four to five days of walking in mountains and forests with problems like freezing cold weather, snow, rain and so much hunger and thirst that my daughter was eating snow from thirst and
started our journey with the smuggler and after about four or five days we reached Denmark and seeked asylum.”
sleeping on the snow because of exhaustion.” What happened when the police caught you on the border? “The last night after nine hours of walking in the rain – it was about midnight – some lights got turned on on us and we heard many screams. We were frightened that it was thieves. Suddenly we saw that they were actually police. They arrested us and kept us for several hours there. Under the rain. Then they brought cars and took us to a garage-like place.” What happened there? “We did not know where we were because we do not speak any languages and we could not read. They just took us to that place in such disrespectful behaviour. They treated us really bad. You could tell from the way they talked and from the look on their faces that they were cursing and swearing at us. There were huge tents there which were torn and filthy. The blankets were so dirty, full of lice and smelled like urine. The roof was leaking. They took us for taking photos. They made
fun of us and laughed at us. They were pushing us and we started crying from exhaustion, cold and hunger. During the two nights we were there, they did not give us any food or water. They did not even let me dry my daughter’s clothes. She was so scared that she peed in her pants. Then they separated my husband from me and my child. The second night they took us for fingerprints. We did not want to go, because we did not know where we were and why they wanted to take our finger prints. Then they beat my husband so much in front of me and my daughter. My daugh-
ter shouted and screamed and cried out loud so much that the police turned and slapped her face so hard and threw her to the wall. Later they forcefully took our fingerprints. They were harassing the women and girls so much. Me and my daughter were scared to go to toilets, as we had to go with their company. So my daughter peed in her pants again. Next morning – with the same wet, dirty and muddy clothes and hungry and thirsty – they boarded us on a bus and took us to somewhere and then they left us there. My daughter fell asleep in the street corner. Later we
How do you feel now? “We are so frustrated and depressed. Especially when we see how it has affected our daughter. It makes us even sadder. Every night she has nightmares. She talks and shouts while sleeping and wets her bed. When I ask her what did you see in your nightmare, she says I see those hungarian police are beating you and dad and they take me with force too. Our daughter is so much damaged and says; I will never go back to there (Hungary). I will rather live on the streets in Denmark and suffer from the cold and hunger to death but not go back to there. We are very worried about her. She has suicidal thoughts and we are scared that she would harm herself.” What do you think will happen if you go back to Hungary? “First of all we will be imprisoned. Secondly we will lose our daughter because she keeps saying I will never go back there not even in my dreams, maybe my dead body will. If you force me to go I will take my life there. And thirdly because we have had political problems with the government and as Hungary is in good relations with Iran they will probably deport us back to Iran.”
WHY IS IT OK TO SEND THEM BACK TO HUNGARY? New Times has asked the human rights lawyer, Troels Koch, from the Danish Refugee Council why the Human Rights seem to be less important than the Dublin convention in this case ❚❚By: Negar Troels Koch stresses that he cannot talk about the specific case, but that he can describe why the legal system is working like it is: “It takes a lot to shake the confidence between the EU countries. Protests from individual asylum seekers will not do it. You will need extensive reports from humanitarian
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organizations, the EU commission - or even better – the jurisprudence from the European Court of Human Rights,” he explains. Hungary is a EU fellow member state that has signed all the EU legal acts taking responsibility for asylum seekers and their welfare. And if people experience maltreatments they must complain to the proper authority in Hungary, Troels Koch exlains. “Denmark is of the opinion that treatment in accordance with Hungary’s international obligations is the responsibility of the Hungarian authorities. So if the police have been brutal to you, you need to find the superiors and complain to them - in Hungary. This is extremely much to
ask most asylum seekers, and this is why it is so difficult to change a Danish decision to transfer based on the argument of maltreatment in Hungary,” he says. “The Danish authorities will look to the European Court of Human Rights. And here they will find a ruling from a few years back that says there were no systemic failures in Hungary. Verdicts of the European court of Human Rights or the EU Court of Justice support this view. And legally it is hard to argue against that,” he explains. So even though individual cases show obvious violations of fundamental human rights it is very hard to reverse a decision of transfer to Hungary.
UPDATE Hungary has recently amended its asylum legislation in a number of concerning ways, e.g. accepting Serbia on their list of safe countries and by setting new criteria for the use of accelerated asylum procedures. These amendments have been widely criticized as undermining basic legal rights of asylum seekers fueling the argument of not sending people back to Hungary.
“MOGADISHU IS NOT SAFE” Huseen were deported to Somalia by force in May. New Times managed to get in touch with him by phone ❚❚By: Ahmed After being rejected asylum and spending more than nine months in the prison Ellebaek Huseen was deported to Somalia by the Danish authorities. I asked Huseen if he can live a normal life in Mogadishu he told me ‘No’. He is still fearing for his life because of the problems that made him run away. He also reports that there is violence every day and killing of civilians but no one talks about it. The government hides all of this unless it happens to famous people like politicians, businessmen or journalists. Then they are not hiding. Now he plans to go out of the country to be safe.
PROBLEMS IN MOGADISHU
Huseen told me that when the airplane landed at Adan Adde International Airport in MogaMogadishu is still not safe, Huseen tells New Times (Photo: Macalin /CC)
dishu, he and his friends refused to leave the airplane until the Director of Immigration and Citizenship Department Of Somalia Mr Abdullahi Gaafow came and told them that ‘’This is not your airplane but this is your home country’’. Huseen and his friends believed that Mr Gaafow knew they arrived and that there was an agreement with the Danish government, but Mr Gaafow said ‘’There is no agreement with Denmark concerning this issue and there is no way we will enter such an arrangement’’. He said this in an interview with the BBC Somali Service. ‘’They lied to them by saying they would be taken to a different location but at the end found themselves deported to Mogadishu’’ he added. When they went inside the airport, they started an argument with Mr Gaafow. At the end he told them to come back the following day and that he would talk to the government and send a message to the Prime Minister. When they came back the next day the Somali Police and the African Union troops refused them to go inside.
“MAMA, WHERE IS ANNA?” Anna is five years old, my son Noel is three years old. They both grew up in Center Sandholm. They were best friends and spent all day playing. But in April, Anna and her mother were deported
❚❚By Eden Anna is a good friend of my son Noel for more than two years. But on April 16, 2015 Anna and her mother were deported back to Moldavia. Anna is five years old, Noel is three and they spent a great time together playing. No families have lived this long in Sandholm Centre because immigration service allows families to get housing outside after six months.
THEY LOVED EACH OTHER
But me and my son and Anna and her mother were not placed outside Sandholm. We don’t know why. Life Is very hard for small kids to live this long in Sandholm. They used to play together all weekdays and weekends. Noel was so happy when she came to play. He always gave her big hug and they regarded each other how are you Noel? How are you Anna? They would ride their
bicycles around Sandholm and spend winters playing in the snow. They really loved each other. Now Anna is gone.
NO OTHER FRIENDS
from her and now she is in a country that she doesn’t know. I don’t know what to tell my son. He continues to ask about his Anna.
Noel has no other friends in Sandholm and he still asks me: Mama, where is Anna? I want to play with her. When I hear these words from my son I really feel so sad, it is painful. I told him that she isn’t here anymore, but he still misses her everyday. He doesn’t know what it means to be deported. It is hard to see him without friends because friends are important to everyone. And all the newcomers don’t stay for long.
WHAT TO SAY?
Anna and Noel are not a special case. Many children spend their lives in the camp, they join Danish kindergarten, they make friends. And then they get deported. Everything Anna knows has been taking away
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DO REJECTED ASYLUM SEEKERS GET LESS HEALTH CARE? Rejected asylum seekers believe that they do not get the same health care as other asylum seekers. New Times interviewed the Red Cross leader of health care, Svend Erik Brande, to find out whether this rumour is true or not ❚❚By: Ahmed There are lots of rumors in the asylum centres about health care. I have been talking to many rejected asylum seekers, and they have told me that when they go to the health care buildings in their asylum centres, they first get asked about their identity card and then told, “you are fine, you just need to drink water.” This rejection leaves the rejected asylum seekers with doubt about the health care department of their centre. They know that the staff can see that they are rejected when they show their identity card. I arranged an interview with the Red Cross leader of health care, Svend Erik Brande, to ask him some questions about this. Is there different health care provided by asylum seekers in phase one, two and three? ‘‘There are no differences between asylum seekers from different phases. All asylum seekers have the same health
care opportunities, and the sick ones can have the medicine they need’’, says Svend Erik Brande. Many asylum seekers think that the health care staff look at their status when they ask for identity card. Is that correct? ‘‘Asking for identity cards does not mean that we are looking at peoples status. It means first of all that we are looking if the person is in the system. Secondly we look up if the person has got medicine from other health care departments before - everything is on the computer and everyone has a page with their identification number. And no one, except the hospitals and the health care departments, can look up their files, not even the leader of the Red Cross or the Danish police. Is there a difference between the health care provided for asylum seekers in the centers and the health care provided for the refugees who got residence and live outside the centers? “Something is better in asylum centres, and something is better outside in the Danish society. Asylum seekers gets a doctor in the asylum centres, whereas people living in the Danish society get doctors outside. Mostly it is the same”, says Svend Erik Brande.
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I talked with a couple of rejected asylum seekers who feel like they do no longer get the same health care as they did when they were in phase two (when their case was still in process).
APPOINTMENT CANCELLED
Mukhtaar, an asylum seeker, was in phase two when he got an appointment from the hospital for surgery in his leg. But before the appointment he became a phase three, and suddenly the appointment was cancelled. When I asked Svend Erik Brande why Mukhtaar’s surgery appointment was cancelled, he answered, “maybe that was a mistake. We do not cancel appointments.” Mukhtaar is still not satisfied, “I am sure that they would never had cancelled my appointment if I was in phase two. When I became phase three my appointment was immediately cancelled.”
WARDA’S STORY
Another asylum seeker, Warda, has gastric pain, and she went many times to hospitals in the different asylum centres - Sandholm Accommodation Centre, Center Humble, Center Roskilde and Center Sjælsmark. Last time she was in Hillerød Hospital, the doctors told her, “we have
send you many appointments, and we did not see you at the hospital. Your pain and sickness is serious, and we need to check up on you.” At that time Warda was with her friend who speaks Danish, and her friend told the doctor, “next time you want to make an appointment with Warda, you should call me, and I will tell her.”
TOO EXPENSIVE
Warda’s friend gave his number to the doctor. After a few days the hospital made an appointment for Warda, and they called her friend who told Warda. A day before the appointment Warda went to the Red Cross staff and asked for a ticket to go to the hospital. She got told by the Red Cross staff that, “we do not know this appointment. Come back later, and we will contact the hospital.” When she came back, the staff told her, “sorry, we cancelled your appointment because it is too expensive.” Warda said, ‘‘surely I would have got help if I was in phase two.”
CONSTANT MOVING IS A PROBLEM
But the leader of the Red Cross health care, Svend Erik Brande, says “constant moving can affect the health of asylum seekers that are waiting for appointments with doctors and hospitals. It has happened many times that asylum seekers have been waiting for an appointment but have get moved and then have had to wait again. We try our best to make the move most convenient for all asylum seekers.’’
IMMIGRATION SERVICE REPLIES TO CRITICISM In our previous magazine we brought forward criticism from asylum seekers and others who are frustrated about the many movings of people between the different asylum centers in Denmark. We have received this reply from special-consultant Margit Sander Rasmussen, in the office for Economy and accommodation in the Immigration Service: “During the previous year we witnessed two very different situations. There was a time during the summer/autumn of 2014 where we, in periods, found ourselves to be in a prevalent situation of emergency due to a sudden and significant increase in the number of asylum seekers. We had to make accommodations in short-term leasing properties, which, naturally, resulted in a larger number of refugees in which derived from the otherwise normal situation. However, this year, we witness a situation in which is different, and stable. We have been able to meet the requests of the residents, and parallel to such, it has been unnecessary to accommodate asylum seekers temporarily, until a more permanent address would have become available. Generally we do what we can to take the wishes of the residents into consideration; however, there are many factors that come into play, which is illustrated by the emergency situation in 2014. The staff in the centers has a crucial role. They are in a position where they are able to, in the specially designed IT-system for refugees, write down special requests in regards to where the asylum seeker wants to live or be moved to. The staff can contact the Immigration Service if they think that a planned movement should be cancelled. The Immigration Service can only access such information if the staff registers it in the ITsystem. However, the Immigration Service always has the possibility of making us aware of any missing information. The protocol is, that the asylum seeker should be notified of being moved three days before the actual move. The day of moving is usually on either Monday or Thursday. As an example, the asylum seeker will be notified Monday, if being moved Thursday. The staff in the centers continually watches the list of residents that are to be moved and will contact and inform/advice the
In out previous magazine a number of asylum seekers shared their stressfull experience of being moved around between centers in Denmark with very short notice
residents. How the various centers deal with the situation, might however, vary. In a number of cases, the different movements are known of well in advance, as there will always be adjustments relating to capacity in the center system. When possible, the Immigration Service will notify the asylum seekers well in advance than the protocol of three days. Due to the many different factors, for example, in the increase of the number of asylum seekers, it is important that the Immigration Service can take sudden action. There are also economic considerations to be made that are to ensure that there are no empty spots in the centers for a longer period of time. For example, we cannot notify the residents with an eight-day warning if the receiving center, in Zealand, in a short period of time becomes full. Therefore, in general, we are not able to give notifications well in advance. However, the residents are always able to approach the staff in the centers regarding their requests relating to the movements, or if they do not want to be moved.� REFUGEES. REPORT. LIFE.
NEWTIMES SUMMER 2015 > ISSUE # 94
PLEASE STOP MOVING US AROUND MANY ASYLUM SEEKERS EXPERIENCE TO BE MOVED SEVERAL TIMES BETWEEN DIFFERENT ASYLUM CENTERS WHILE THEY HAVE THEIR CASE PROCESSED IN DENMARK
POLITICS IN DENMARK GET AN OVERVIEW OF THE DANISH POLITICAL PARTIES
DIFFICULT LIFE OF A PREGNANT ASYLUM SEEKER ASYLUM SEEKER DID NOT GET HER CHECK UP
TOUGH START FIVE-YEAR-OLD HAS TO SAY GOODBYE TO MOM OR DAD
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SURVIVING THE JUNGLE OF CALAIS Many refugees take the risk to cross the Calais border between France and England- a place that the media is calling a border crisis. New Times talks with one of the Calais Border survivors, Marta Daniel, who spend ten days in the Calais Jungle camp ❚❚By: Eden Marta Daniel is from Eritrea. She is 30-years-old. Five years ago she stayed 10 days in the Calais Jungle camp. She tried once to reach England but the truck that she and the other refugees had been in was carrying salt to France and not England. Marta Daniel explains that the smugglers often don’t know where the trucks are going and that she was very surprised: ”I cannot believe that it happened to me. When the truck reached the factory, the back side pulled up. We were ten people in the back truck. All of us moved up side down. A man opened to see what was happening. The truck was in the big factory trying to put salt into a big machine. We started shouting and the truck driver stopped pulling up the back. When he saw us he was so shocked. He couldn’t believe it.”
Marta Daniel explained the truck driver that a smuggler had put them in the back of the truck and that they were trying to reach England: “The driver said that we were doing a crazy thing and that he was about to put the salt to mash in the machine. He told us: “Do you know that I would be in jail the rest of my life if you would have been killed. I’m a father of a child. Please tell the police the truth.” Then we all felt sorry for him. We apologized to him. He called the police. After a while all of us was taken by the police to a prison in Paris. After 24 hours we were released. Some went back to Calais to try again. But not me, I am not going back to Calais again.” Why did you want to do this dangerous journey? “First I did not know that it would be that hard. I stayed 10 days in Calais before I saw
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people being sick and dead and suffer with a lot of problems. That is why I did not want to stay long.” How do people spent their days in Calais? “People spend their days in Calais looking for food in the city. Catholic Caritas are serving food and water and it is possible to get a shower. I was really lucky when I was there because one priest allowed me and seven other women to spend our daytime in his house.” Are there any children in the Calais Jungle camp? “Yes, children and pregnant women, some women are even being raped in the jungle. Children don’t have enough food and milk, a life is not good at all in the jungle camp.”
thing to help asylum seekers. If France open asylum seeker camps no one will try the dangerous journeys. Even England must help asylum seekers to reach safe in England. People suffer from the war and dictator governments. That is why people take the risk to reach the peaceful countries.”
FACTS ABOUT CALAIS There are more than 1000 refugees in the Calais Jungle Camp, which also includes a church made by Eritrean and Ethiopian Christians. The ragged huts in the Jungle are made from plastic and carton. Each small hut is inhabited by 5-7 people. People are mostly from Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia and Afghanistan.
Why do so many want to go to England? “First of all they want to go to England because of the language. The other reason is that in France there are no asylum camps. Because of that people try Calais.” What do you think from your experience? Which solution would help the refugees in Calais? “I think France must do some-
A French police officer patrols just next to the Jungle Camp in Calais (Photo: Jey OH photographie / CC)
IRANIAN REFUGEE: ‘LAST YEAR I PAID 600.000 KRONER IN TAXES’
Saeed Soltanpour fled from Iran 20 years ago. Today he works as a doctor in Copenhagen and contributes with more than half a million kroner to the Danish state. ❚❚By: Hamid Mukhtari Being a refugee in any country can bring you a lot of benefits, especially in Denmark, but refugees can also be an income for the country. As an illustration, Saeed Soltanpour is a refugee from Iran, but he has lived in Denmark since 1996. His education level was only high school, when he migrated to Denmark, but after learning the Danish language, he continued his education. He obtained a PhD degree in the field of heart failure and he got permanent residence in Denmark after three years and became an official member of Danish society. New Times, in order to achieve more information regarding benefits of refugees in Denmark, arranged an interview with him to get his opinion about this issue.
TO SERVE PEOPLE
Dr. Saeed left Iran due to political issues and his opposition to the repressive policies of Islamic Republic regime, but why did he choose Denmark? “Denmark was not my choice. I was assigned a country from the UN in Turkey” and about his service, he added that: “I serve the people through medical science.” His office is in Copenhagen and nearly 60 employees work with him.
HUGE TAXES
Undoubtedly, one of the main resources in the Danish economy is tax. The Danish government receives a large part of its yearly budget through income taxes from the working people. In this regard, Dr. Saeed told
POPE FRANCIS: EVERY PARISH IN EUROPE SHOULD HOST REFUGEES In repsonse to the increased amount of refugees coming to Europe, Pope Francis encouraged the public to help the refugees seeking shelter in Europe
New Times that: “Monthly I pay 50 per cent of my salary as tax and last year, I paid 600,000 kroner in taxes.” In response to the question how can refugees be useful to government, he replied: “They need to quickly get started with learning the language and then either educate themselves or get a job.” Among the options, Saeed chose the first one and could be useful both for him and community. And the government must make sure that they can get a job or you get an education, because by these ways refugees are able to enter in the community and benefit the country, Soltanpour added.
CHILDREN AND EDUCATION
On the other hand, in Denmark children are considered as column of society, and according to constitution of Denmark,
children have an important place. Saeed, who is married in Denmark and has two children, believes that his children can succeed through education and study. Perhaps they also continue in their father’s footsteps by getting a PhD degree. However, we wish the best luck and success for him and his family in Denmark.
❚❚By: Silje Kristiansen On Sunday 6th of September, the Pope made a statement urging people in Europe, regardless of their religious adherence, to help those who are fleeing war and disaster. To a large audience in St. Peters Square in Rome, the Pope said, “it is simply not enough to tell the refugees to stay strong and courageous”. Instead he encouraged every parish, every religious community and those who have room, to take action, provide shelter, and to host the refugees. At present, there are 120.000 parishes in Europe. The official statement comes at a time when, throughout Europe, there is a significant increase in the number of asylum seekers arriving at the
European borders. Especially in Italy, and Greece, where they receive thousands of refugees every day, and the local receiving centres are full and bursting beyond capacity. It is not unusual that Pope Francis focus on the situation of refugees, as he has made the refugee cause one of his major social causes to focus on. The Vatican itself has declared it will receive and host two refugee families.
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GUIDE: HOW TO PROTECT YOUR ONLINE IDENTITY If you want to make sure, that the government you’re escaping from doesn’t find you through the Internet, you should follow this guide ❚❚By: Sam Most of us smartphone owners use all kinds of social media and communication applications everyday to connect with family and friends back home, but that can put life in risk. If you’re not aware of you online security, it is very easy for the authorities you are escaping from to collect all the information they need to track and hunt you down. This has happened for Moosa from Bahrain, who was hijacked by a spyware by the government he was escaping from. In an article on www.theverge. com it is revealed how Moosa was tracked down across borders by his enemies. Simple ways to protect your identity online
1. EXCLUDE IMPORTANT PERSONAL INFORMATION FROM YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA PROFILES.
Such as real names, address, email, phone number or any other type of real information.
2. CHECK YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA PRIVACY SETTINGS.
Change all Facebook settings to “Friends Only” for all posts for a more secure profile. Facebook often makes changes to these settings and, when it does so, can even reset your secure settings.
3. PROTECT YOUR ONLINE PASSWORDS AND STRENGTHEN THEM TOO.
Many of us use passwords we won’t easily forget, like 1234, our birth dates, or our home towns. But the rule is, if they’re easy to remember, they’re easy to crack, too.
4. CHECK YOUR PHONE’S PRIVACY SETTINGS.
Turning your GPS location settings to “off” can also keep your whereabouts more private.
5. WATCH OUT FOR ‘PHISHING’ EMAILS.
Spam email is getting more and more sophisticated. Never respond to any emails with account info or passwords.
6. KEEP YOUR COMMUNICATIONS NETWORKS SECURE.
Password protect your Wi-Fi so hackers in the local area can’t use your connection to carry out malicious activity.
7. USE A VPN TO CONNECT TO THE INTERNET.
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a network technology that
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creates a secure network connection over a public network such as the Internet or a private network owned by a service provider. Large corporations, educational institutions, and government agencies use VPN technology to enable remote users to securely connect to a private network.
8. USE TOR PROTECTED BROWSER.
The Tor software protects you by bouncing your communications around a distributed network of relays run by volunteers all around the world: it prevents somebody watching your Internet connection from learning what sites you visit, it prevents the sites you visit from learning your physical location, and it lets you access sites which are blocked.
FACTS Links: www.theverge.com. Here you can find the story about Moosa from Bahrain who had his online identity hijacked. www.torproject.org. Here you can download the Tor software for free.
”SAY IT LOUD AND SAY IT CLEAR, REFUGEES ARE WELCOME HERE!” An intense atmosphere of solidarity and humanity infiltrated the 30.000 demonstrators in a huge demonstration in Copenhagen welcoming refugees ❚❚By: Anna Franziska Photo: Amanda Freiesleben The 12th of September around 30,000 demonstrators gathered in front of the Danish Parliament in Copenhagen in order to show their solidarity with people escaping from war, violence and desaturation. Similar demonstrations were happening in 74 European cities at the same day. The demonstration hosted all kinds of people, families with babies, worried grey-haired
people with their arms crossed, activists and even a man in ladies wear. At the arrival of the demonstration a young man with leather jacket and tousled hair shouted, “say no to political racism, throw Lykke and DF out”, while trying to sell the Danish Socialists Workers’ Newspaper (Socialistisk Arbejderavis). As far as the eye could see banners were peeping up from the crowd with messages as, “We do not believe in the politi-
cians” and “International solidarity now!!”.
DISCONTENT WITH THE DANISH AND EUROPEAN BORDER SYSTEM
Spokesman for the demonstration, Bue Rübner Hansen, spoke from the let of a truck that was placed in front of the Parliament, while the rain started to fall from the grey sky. “We are gathered here today in order to celebrate the solidarity that has been shown in Denmark during the
last couple of weeks, and to demonstrate our discontent with the Danish and European border system,” Bue Rübner Hansen said into the microphone while the well prepared protestors picked up their umbrellas and the remaining tried to get shelter from the rain by standing next to the small food stalls. ”Say it loud and say it clear, refugees are welcome here,” Bue Rübner Hansen shouted, and the protesters repeated the battle cry.
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Mathilde, 25, studies didactics and Sofie, 26, studies single courses Why are you here? We are here to show our support. Denmark has been participating in creating insecurity and war. The least we can do is helping the people trying to escape war. What do you want to show with this demonstration? We want the politicians to open their eyes and understand that the current policies are not working. What should be Denmark’s responsibility towards refugees? We can’t cut the benefits. It is completely ridiculous. We want the politicians to look at the reality that we are facing. We are in the middle of a crisis and the politicians are closing their eyes
WHY ARE YOU HERE? New Times interviewed some of the participants in the demonstration ❚❚By Camilla Q. Madsen Photos by Ahmed
Signe, 64, educator in social psychiatry Why are you here? I’m strongly moved by the refugee crisis. There is so much war in the world and so many innocent people are being squashed. What do you want to show with this demonstration? I want to give the politicians food for thought. I know that many people voted for the Danish Peoples’ Party but we are still many that are against the current refugee policies. What should be Denmark’s responsibility towards refugees? We should listen and act in accordance to the crisis. We are a wealthy country and we have the responsibility to help refugees.
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Tarek, 19, kindergarden teaching assistant and Mariam, 21, studies history Why are you here? Mariam: We have a responsibility for the people that we have let down and abandoned in war and misery. We are partly to blame for the crisis and we ought to do something. Human rights are being violated. Tarek: Also we are many that are against the politics being made on the issue and we want to show our support by coming here today. What do you want to show with this demonstration? Mariam: We want to give a signal to refugees and create a reputation in the world that we are many that are willing to help. What should be Denmark’s responsibility towards refugees? Tarek: We want to improve the conditions for families seeking reunion in Denmark. And also turn down the hostile tone against the refugees. It is extremely critical the way we talk about refugees. It is dehumanizing. Our parents came here in the 80’s and they have always said that Denmark used to be such a warm country. We want that back.
My, 6, in preschool and Charlie, 5, in kindergarten Why are you here today? We have made signs to say welcome to refugees. My and Charlie’s mom: My and Charlie were sitting having breakfast this morning and we were listening to the radio. They were talking about refugees and My said that she wanted to make a story to every refugee coming to Denmark. A story for every refugee was a bit too much so instead My and Charlie made signs to say welcome
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ASYLUM FOR TWO YOUNG SYRIANS: AFTER SUFFERING COMES DREAMS AND HOPE The two young Syrians Ahmed (15) and Mustafa (16) got their asylum after eight months in center Sandholm. New Times asked them about their time at Sandholm and their future ❚❚By: Ismaël How do you feel after you got asylum? We feel as free with a great satisfaction and happiness to see the end of our anxieties after 8 months. What happens after the positive answer? We begin to prepare ourselves to live as the Danish citizens. Have you got other friends in Sandholm? Although we had some friends in Sandholm, we will remain the two best friends. How important is it to have a good friend from Syria here in Denmark? We meet each other in Sandholm and we are from two dif-
ferent cities in Syria, but it´s important to have friends in Denmark, because to be alone, life is hard. What is the difference to live in Sandholm and outside the center? To live in Sandholm was as we lived abroad without any hope. But outside Sandholm, the hope is reborn. What are your dreams for the future? We want to study; commercials for Mustafa, and techniques in the Fly-mechanical for Ahmed, and we hope to become Danish citizens later.
We sent your questions to the lawyers at the Danish Refugee Council. Here are their replies
ASK A LAWYER
1
Please help. We are a group of families and singles who came two and three years ago from Italy. But we are rejected in Denmark because we were guaranteed in Italy. We are willing to go back to Italy, but Italy does not want to take us back. What is our future?
1
We understand that you are in a very difficult position. As rejected refugees in Denmark with refugee or protection status in Italy (which may have expired) you are in a special situation. The Danish authorities are currently corresponding with the Italian authorities to resolve the situation. However, until Italy formally accepts or denies taking you back your situation will unfortunately at the outset remain the same. However, you can contact the Danish police (again) and ask them of the possibility of going to Italy if you
wish to return voluntarily. If you have questions regarding your case you are very welcome to contact the Danish Refugee Council.
2
I am from Nigeria. I had my interview last week with the immigration service. I was stressed and did not answer some of their questions correct. Is it possible for me to correct some of the answers or is it too late?
2
You can always contact the Danish Immigration Service with new relevant information, if you forgot to give information or if you wish to change your explanation. It is best to contact them as soon as possible after your interview. It is also a good idea to explain why you did not answer their questions correct - for instance if you were nervous or advised to tell another
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story than your own. At the interviews with the authorities it is always best to tell your own story as detailed as possible. You can ask for breaks if you need them. If you contact the Danish Immigration Service they will file the new information to your case. You can send them a letter or an email in your own language. You should be prepared to answer why you did not answer their questions correct the first time in case of another interview. If you need help to explain the relevant information you are very welcome to contact the Danish Refugee Council.
3
I am on tolerated stay (tålt ophold) and I am afraid that the new government will no longer protect people on tolerated stay. I know another person on tolerated stay. He has been told he is no longer allowed to stay in Den-
mark. He should go home now. He is from Chechnya. I am from Algeria. Will I risk the same? I am sure they will kill me if I return.
3
Our answer will be with reference to the current rules regarding tolerated stay. However, we do not know if there are any plans of changing the rules. If you are here on tolerated stay the Danish authorities have decided that you – at the time of the decision – could not be sent to your home country because of the risk of persecution. However, the Danish authorities can choose to look at your case again to see if they still find that you cannot be sent to your home country – in your case Algeria - because of the risk of persecution. If so you will receive a letter regarding the evaluation and further process of your case. Only if the Danish Immigration
DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION? WRITE TO: New Times Rosenørns Allé 31, 2. sal, 1970 Frederiksberg or email us at newtimesdk@gmail.com Please feel free to ask your questions anonymously.
Service and the Danish Refugee Appeals Board at some point evaluates that you are no longer in risk of persecution in Algeria, the Danish Refugee Appeals Board can make a decision that you are to be sent to Algeria. My guess is that the Danish Refugee Appeals Board evaluated that your friend from Chechnya are no longer at risk of persecution in Chechnya. Both you and your friend are very welcome to contact the Danish Refugee Council if you have any questions.