Freedom of Movement
Yesterday I attended an event hosted by Freedom of Movements which describes itself and the event as:
"Freedom of Movements is an emerging political group based in Copenhagen composed of immigrants, asylum seekers, refugees, as well as nonmigrants. We are a diverse group of people. Different legal statuses, political rights, economic and social situations, as well as cultural backgrounds. Our efforts go to identifying what are the most crucial problems different groups of migrants face and creating collective strategies to respond to these problems together."
The event consisted of workshops facilitated by asylum seekers, refugees as well as activists involved in "minority" struggles here in Denmark, among them the African Empowerment Center. It was the first time I came face to face with asylum seekers and refugees in Denmark, and was able to hear their stories up close and personal.
As you may already know Europe is facing a crisis. The crisis is a result of people fleeing war, constructed poverty and persecution. Among the many seeking asylum here in Denmark are Transgender women from Muslim countries who will undoubtedly be persecuted should they be sent home, gay women from intolerant countries such as Uganda and of course those fleeing war in all its many forms from Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq and Iran to name a few.
According to BBC News there have already been around 750,000 (International Organization for Migration) refugees fleeing to Europe this year, with about half this amount children. In Denmark there are 66 asylum centers to handle the 3-7000 refugees who arrive here per year. Although Denmark has signed the UN Refugee Convention which states that:
"The refugee convention includes the ”non-refoulement” principle that concludes that no person should be sent back to persecution or to a third country that will send the person back to persecution." Refugees Welcome , many asylum seekers and refugees are finding that it very difficult to obtain refuge here in Denmark.
The Danish state has adapted a rather strict policy concerning any new arrivals and there are 100s who have spent entire lifetimes in many of the refugee camps here. It is ironic that in a free country such as Denmark, there are presently prison camps throughout the country where people are confined and unable to move about freely. According to the stories I heard yesterday, these people are refused medical care, are in overcrowded quarters and many are left to languish in a state of limbo. One person's account included a Judge saying that despite his believing the asylum seeker's story (she is Trans and will undoubtedly experience persecution in Malaysia if she is returned) that he cannot grant her asylum here and will be returned home. A recent story of two brothers from Afghanistan who were returned to Afghanistan included the death of one, and another young Afghanistan man was also deported, despite his claims of certain death upon his return.
This is a difficult story with no easy answers. It gets even more complicated with the events that occurred this past Friday 13th in Paris. Unfortunately all of these events have fueled the fire of nationalism in many countries, with the rhetoric very harsh. The events on Friday has caused France to announce the tightening of its borders and have made it easier to stem the flow of those fleeing war. Just as Bush declared war after 9/11 - so has France against the perceived enemy. As mentioned before at least half of the numbers (which are not precise given the fact that there are many refugees arriving in Europe illegally and so uncounted) are children who have already experienced extreme trauma.
Denmark is a small country and in light of the fact that there has not been a refugee crisis like this (WW2 was the last and even then, the numbers were not so high) this is indeed a trying time for its citizens. Last Friday the Prime Minister announced 34 ways in which the rules will be tightened, which includes erecting tents to house male asylum seekers.
There is of course no easy answer to this. However, I also find it difficult that large groups of people are being denied basic human care and freedom of movement because of where they come from. That there are refugees in German who are being forced to stay in old concentration camps and Nazi airplane hangers. That any valuables and money found on refugees can now be confiscated by the Danish authorities. The backlash to Friday's events will not be pretty. As I have heard so many say already, the situation in Paris is Europe's 9/11. There will be more restrictions on everyone as the alert is high. Fear takes over.
Having the opportunity to meet some of the faces behind the numbers certainly brings a human aspect to the situation, especially when the media tends to harden us to each other. I am deeply sad and troubled about what is happening and what is about to unfold.
farvel,
the lab
"Freedom of Movements is an emerging political group based in Copenhagen composed of immigrants, asylum seekers, refugees, as well as nonmigrants. We are a diverse group of people. Different legal statuses, political rights, economic and social situations, as well as cultural backgrounds. Our efforts go to identifying what are the most crucial problems different groups of migrants face and creating collective strategies to respond to these problems together."
The event consisted of workshops facilitated by asylum seekers, refugees as well as activists involved in "minority" struggles here in Denmark, among them the African Empowerment Center. It was the first time I came face to face with asylum seekers and refugees in Denmark, and was able to hear their stories up close and personal.
As you may already know Europe is facing a crisis. The crisis is a result of people fleeing war, constructed poverty and persecution. Among the many seeking asylum here in Denmark are Transgender women from Muslim countries who will undoubtedly be persecuted should they be sent home, gay women from intolerant countries such as Uganda and of course those fleeing war in all its many forms from Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq and Iran to name a few.
According to BBC News there have already been around 750,000 (International Organization for Migration) refugees fleeing to Europe this year, with about half this amount children. In Denmark there are 66 asylum centers to handle the 3-7000 refugees who arrive here per year. Although Denmark has signed the UN Refugee Convention which states that:
"The refugee convention includes the ”non-refoulement” principle that concludes that no person should be sent back to persecution or to a third country that will send the person back to persecution." Refugees Welcome , many asylum seekers and refugees are finding that it very difficult to obtain refuge here in Denmark.
The Danish state has adapted a rather strict policy concerning any new arrivals and there are 100s who have spent entire lifetimes in many of the refugee camps here. It is ironic that in a free country such as Denmark, there are presently prison camps throughout the country where people are confined and unable to move about freely. According to the stories I heard yesterday, these people are refused medical care, are in overcrowded quarters and many are left to languish in a state of limbo. One person's account included a Judge saying that despite his believing the asylum seeker's story (she is Trans and will undoubtedly experience persecution in Malaysia if she is returned) that he cannot grant her asylum here and will be returned home. A recent story of two brothers from Afghanistan who were returned to Afghanistan included the death of one, and another young Afghanistan man was also deported, despite his claims of certain death upon his return.
This is a difficult story with no easy answers. It gets even more complicated with the events that occurred this past Friday 13th in Paris. Unfortunately all of these events have fueled the fire of nationalism in many countries, with the rhetoric very harsh. The events on Friday has caused France to announce the tightening of its borders and have made it easier to stem the flow of those fleeing war. Just as Bush declared war after 9/11 - so has France against the perceived enemy. As mentioned before at least half of the numbers (which are not precise given the fact that there are many refugees arriving in Europe illegally and so uncounted) are children who have already experienced extreme trauma.
Denmark is a small country and in light of the fact that there has not been a refugee crisis like this (WW2 was the last and even then, the numbers were not so high) this is indeed a trying time for its citizens. Last Friday the Prime Minister announced 34 ways in which the rules will be tightened, which includes erecting tents to house male asylum seekers.
There is of course no easy answer to this. However, I also find it difficult that large groups of people are being denied basic human care and freedom of movement because of where they come from. That there are refugees in German who are being forced to stay in old concentration camps and Nazi airplane hangers. That any valuables and money found on refugees can now be confiscated by the Danish authorities. The backlash to Friday's events will not be pretty. As I have heard so many say already, the situation in Paris is Europe's 9/11. There will be more restrictions on everyone as the alert is high. Fear takes over.
Having the opportunity to meet some of the faces behind the numbers certainly brings a human aspect to the situation, especially when the media tends to harden us to each other. I am deeply sad and troubled about what is happening and what is about to unfold.
farvel,
the lab
