REFUGEES. REPORT. LIFE.
NEWTIMES AUTUMN 2016 > ISSUE # 99
Interview with former Minister of Foreign Affairs and asylum seekers on refugees’ impact on the Danish society
ASYLUM SEEKERS WORK AS TOUR GUIDES IN COPENHAGEN PAGE 3
GOVERNMENT PROPOSES A LONG LIST OF NEW RESTRICTIONS FOR ASYLUM SEEKERS AND REFUGEES PAGE 12
THE ANGEL IN AUDERØD - A VOLUNTEER’S DIFFERENCE PAGE 8
DEAR READER The stories in the Danish media are often about asylum seekers. Discussing problems with integration. Commenting on our obligation to help people in need. Stressing our need for controlling the border. Pointing at the pressure on the Danish welfare system. This and much more connected to the issue of administrating and helping the people coming to Denmark asking for shelter and protection can be found in the newspapers, heard on the radio and watched on the tv screens in Denmark. And that is very understandable. There is a cost of hous-
ing and supporting the asylum seekers. And to process their cases. Is that money being spend in the best possible way? That is an important debate to take. But I have two wishes. Firstly, I think we would all benefit if the debate was less harsh. Sometimes it seems to me that people forget that the asylum seekers - for the far biggest part - are non-criminal, non-violent, peace seeking human beings who have been forced away from their beloved homes and have a burning desire to prove themselves in this country. My second wish is that the
asylum seekers and refugees themselves were interviewed more often in the Danish media. We rarely hear their voices. Have you ever wondered how the asylum seekers themselves feel about asylum issues? What is important from their points of view? Well, this is partly why New Times exists. Why we - the editorial team of asylum seekers, Danish volunteers and I - work hard to select and cover stories concerning the daily life, opinions and challenges of asylum seekers in Denmark. This magazine is no exception. Our great writers provide
you with a number of interesting articles worth a few minutes of your time. For instance, you can have a look at some of the most important details in the Government’s new proposals for asylum tightenings, get an insight in a single mother’s regrets about putting her son in danger by running away and read about the thoughts of a group of children who are in Denmark without their parents. Also, check out the answers of a former minister and present Spokesperson on Integration about the refugee crisis. And asylum seekers’ opinion
New Times Journalists: Danial, Marion, Makmoud, Eden, Ismael, Hala, Paiwand and Nino
Printed by: OTM Avistryk
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
about the challenge of the refugee crisis to a country like Denmark. I hope you will enjoy this magazine. And that my two wishes come true one day.
Robin Ali Ahrenkiel El-Tanany
A happy face at an Open House event at the asylum center in Roskilde in August. (Photo: Marion)
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
Editorial assistants: Anne-Marie Dynes Møller, Michael Bang and Nanna Sejsbo Interns: Emma Heiberg Volunteers Camilla Uhrskov Bank Layout: Jens Burau, supergreen.dk
PAGE 2 | ISSUE # 99 | AUTUMN 2016 | NEW TIMES
Distributed to: Asylum centres, Ministries, Members of the Danish Parliament, public libraries, asylum and human rights organizations, NGOs, media and individuals in Denmark and abroad. Subscription: Subscriptions are free. If you would like to subscribe to New Times send us an email at newtimesdk@gmail.com and we will send it directly to your email inbox as soon as the next issue is out. If you would like to receive the magazine by post send us an email for details. You only pay the postage.
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.
ASYLUM SEEKERS WORK AS TOUR GUIDES IN COPENHAGEN ❚❚By: Eden In september 2014 Jacob Slaatto visited The Trampoline House for the first time and asked the asylum seekers: “How is life in Denmark? Why are you here?” Most asylum seekers who responded said that they were rejected and had nothing to do because the Danish government would not allow them to get a job or start studying. The asylum seekers also told that they spend a lot of time in the asylum camp. Jacob Slaatto got an idea to change that. Jacob Slaatto is the founder of “Refugee Voices Tours”. A concept where asylum seekers are working as tourist guides. He got the idea when he became a member of The Trampoline House and realized that a lot of rejected asylum seekers are neither working nor studying. Jacob Slaatto was very sad about that. He met asylum seekers in The Trampoline House,
and he would not accept to see a lot of young men and women without any further hope.
INSPIRATION FROM BERLIN
He asked himself how to find a way to help these asylum seekers in a legal way and how to find a kind of practice job. He read an article in The New York Times about an organization in Berlin, which helps asylum seekers finding practice jobs with a small salary as tourists guides. Jacob Slaatto then tried to learn more about the legal system in Denmark. He read about the law which says that asylum seekers can work without being paid. Giving asylum seekers the opportunity to work is a way to keep up their moral and hope. Jacob Slaatto decided to find a way to make better working opportunities for asylum seekers and learn about the history of Denmark. Jacob Slaatto talked to the company where he was work-
A new initiative give asylum seekers a chance to volunteer as tourist guides in the Danish capital. New Times has interviewed the man behind the idea
ing, and he shared his idea with the company, and they accepted it. Finding tourists was very important, and therefore Jacob Slaatto went to Cafe Mellemrummet - a Cafe/Hostel driven by the Danish NGO Mellemfolkeligt Samvirke. He asked if they would allow him to ask tourists from their hostel. They agreed.
TOURISTS LEARN ABOUT HISTORY AND ASYLUM SEEKERS
During a one month long course it was possible to teach a group of interested asylum seekers how to guide. The areas Jacob Slaatto chose for the tour guides are the most interesting places in Nørrebro - many with a refugee angel. In Nørrebro more than 60 nationalities are living next to each other and many of them have asylum backgrounds. On the tours the tourist will also learn more about the life of
an asylum seeker. And te job as a tourist guide helps the asylum seekers to meet other international people. New Times asked some tourists of their experience after a trip with an asylum seeker, and they were very happy about the tour guide. The first day was the 24th of June, and at the moment five asylum seekers are working as tour guides.
WANT TO WORK AS A TOUR GUIDE? The tour guide initiative would like to welcome everyone who are interested in working as tour guide. Contact: “Refugee Voices Tours” on Facebook or e-mail slaattojacob@ gmail.com
Ready for a different kind of tour? Soran lives in Denmark as asylum seeker and works as a guide for tourists in Copenhagen. (Photo: Refugee Voices Tours)
NEW TIMES | AUTUMN 2016 | ISSUE # 99| PAGE 3
Youssef in Dianalund asylum center with his scooter. Photo: Hala
CHILDREN WITHOUT PARENTS Many children came to Denmark as asylum seekers. Some of them without their parents, but with their uncle, aunt or brothers. New Times met four of them
❚❚By Hala FACTS There are more than 1.900 children in the Red Cross asylum center right now.
Fatema Al-asaly is 10 years old, she is from Aleppo in Syria. She came to Denmark with her uncle and his family at the 5th of December 2015 without her family. Her family didn’t have enough money to go at that time. When they got the money the border was blocked, so now they are living in the Idomeni camp in Greece on the border of Macedonia. It is a Fatema spends time on her bicycle. Photo: Hala
PAGE 4 | ISSUE # 99 | AUTUMN 2016 | NEW TIMES
Youssef Nawaf is 7 years old, he’s from Khan Wormwood camp (a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria). He came to Denmark with his brother and sister without his parents at the 4th of December 2015, he speaks with his parents every day and tells them to bring his old bike with them when they come. Why did you leave your country? “I was very scared there, and I don’t want to return to Syria because there were many explosions and scary voices”. How do you feel about that? “I am very sad that I can’t see my parents and my best friend Khalid, who I played with. We biked, played meccano and puzzles”. How do you feel here in Denmark? “I am enjoying my time here. I go to school and get a new friend who I play with. Also I spend a good time when my teachers took us in journey to the amusement park”. What is your old dream and what is the new one? “My mom told me, you should be a doctor, so I want to be what my mom want”. very bad place. They call it the “pit of hell”. Fatima told New Times how she lives now in Denmark without her parents and how she misses them, but she speaks with them every day by telephone or Skype. Why did you leave your country? “There were several explosions in my city, so I was very scared, and
also I could not go to school”. How do you feel about that? “I feel unhappy because I left everything I loved there, my family, my friends and my lovely toy (big bear)”. How do you feel here in Denmark? “I am very happy to be here, because it’s not necessary for me to be afraid of the explo-
sions now, and the most important thing is, that I can go to school. In addition to that, I told my teacher about my hobby with horse riding, so she takes me with another five girls to her friend’s farm with horses to train rides there”. What is your old dream and what is the new one? “I would like to be a doctor”.
THE CHILDREN BECOME HAPPIER IN THE CLUB
“How are you mom, I miss you, and how is my sister”, Noor texted to her mom. Photo: Hala
Interview with a club pedagogue in a club for asylum children
Noor is 17 years old, she is from Iraq. she came to Denmark with her aunt at October 2015 without her parents. She spoke about how much she misses her family, especially her youngest sister who was born a few months ago - on the same birthday as Noor. Why did you leave your country? “I left my country because of war and a bad security situation, which prevented me to go to school”. How do you feel about that? “This make me sad, because I became far away from my family, so all times I just think about them. I have now decided to return to Iraq, because the reunion process here in Denmark is very difficult and I am cannot endure any more”
“Very often we observe that the newcomer child is frustrated emotionally - they all miss their parents”, Aviva Ida Bernstein, explains. Photo: Nino
How do you feel here in Denmark? “I love Denmark and I would love it more if my family was with me. I am sorry that I can not stay here”
❚❚By: Nino
What is your old dream and what is the new one? “I would like to be a doctor”. Mohammed Khalid is 17 years old, he’s from the city of Hasaka in Syria, he came to Denmark with his sister at the 24th of November 2015, his mother is still in Syria, his father is in Turkey (he was forced to flee). Mohammed Khalid was good at playing football, and had many medals. He feels sad for not being able to bring them with him. He spoke about his work in Syria: “I wasn’t good at school, so I started to work with my friend in his haircut salon” Why did you leave your country? “I left my country because they forced young people to join the army”. How do you feel about that? “I am unhappy, because I left my family, my work, my friends, and my love, so I spend my time in the center by talking with my girlfriend ‘Falak’ over the phone and texting her. She is still in Syria and she is unable to run away”. How do you feel here in Denmark? “I am glad to be in a safe place, and I hope to bring my family and my girlfriend here to Denmark”. What is your old dream and what is the new one? “My dream was to make my own salon, and now I hope to realize it here”.
Mohammed hardly go out of his room, just texting with his girlfriend in Syria. Photo: Hala
In Kongelunden, the children in the center have the opportunity to join a club. For the 6-12 years olds, the club takes place in afternoon hours, and for 13-17 year olds the club is mostly at the end of the day, typically up to 21 p.m. The club provides trained educators and child care workers for joint activities, such as cooking, games, drawing and sports. One of these employees is Aviva Ida Bernstein. She is a pedagogue with a master’s degree in Psychology and International Development Studies. “The children, who are here with another accompanied person than their parents, are often stressed. Very often we observe that the newcomer child is frustrated emotionally they all miss their parents”, she explains. Her duties in the club involve creating a space and a place for the children of age 6 to 17 to be after after school, where she organizes activities with the children, motivate and develop them.
PROVIDING EMOTIONAL SUPPORT
For Aviva, being a club pedagogue is about giving emotional support to the children: “The children rarely share their personal stories with us, but if they do, we listen, empathize and give feedback. Sometimes, very simple teasing between the children about parents can be the cause of conflicts. If a child is very stressed and closed, we speak carefully and help him or her to be more sincere, more open. This helps them.” Aviva points out that after spending time in the club, the children begin to feel better: “After spending time in
our club, the children show improvements in many aspects. It is very pleasant to see how children calm down and become happier here.”
NO EXCUSE FOR RAPE, BUT ONE INCIDENT IS NOT A RULE FOR ALL OTHER CHILDREN
At the end of July all media in Denmark reported about a rape of a young Danish girl by three Afghan unaccompanied minors. We asked Aviva of her reaction to this incident. “First of all, there is no excuse for rape at all. But one incident is not a rule for all other children. Many of the children we have here are so polite. They are so respectful. Comfortable. Open. Many of them we only see for a couple of months, but we see their development; they relax and flourish. Some of my colleagues met our ex-students in the streets.They are happy, go to school, are fluent in Danish and are on the right track.”
IT’S EASY WHEN YOU LIKE YOUR JOB
When asked about her work here, and whether it is sometimes a challenge to remain professional, Aviva smiles: “It is easy, when you like your job. But I am not alone, of course. We are a team of professionals, teachers, pedagogues and social workers. Also many Danish volunteers are running the activities. We are all a team here.”
FACTS Approximately one-fifth of all asylum seekers in Denmark are children under the age of 18.
NEW TIMES | AUTUMN 2016 | ISSUE # 99| PAGE 5
Interview with Abdel Aziz Mahmoud:
INTEGRATION IS JUST SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS Through the path of being a journalist and TV host, Abdel Aziz Mahmoud has become the storyteller that he always wanted to be. Today, he is the author of the book “You Speak Danish So Well”. New Times met the popular host - with a refugee background - for a talk about integration in Denmark ❚❚By Marion Chen Abdel Aziz Mahmoud’s book “You Speak Danish So Well” humorously shows how his family got through all the cultural differences and misunderstandings in Denmark, and how much hard work he has done to come so far as a successful immigrant with a refugee background. In a strong way, the book delivers the message that friends, neighbours and colleagues are those who help refugees to integrate into the Danish society - not politicians.
TRYING TO BE DANISH
usually only Danish people can be seen. He felt proud.
WHY WRITING THE BOOK
Last year, when all of a sudden, people started talking and kept talking about the refugees coming to Denmark and of Muslims, Abdel began to feel like he would never be a Dane, despite his hard work. Ever since the terror attack in Copenhagen last year, Abdel had wanted to write a book. Not because he wanted to stand out or be a voice in the refugee debate. He wanted to do something to improve the peace of the society.
Abdel was born in Abu Dhabi in the Arabic Emirates, to where LIVING IN BOTH CULTURES his parents fled because of Abdel believes that when many the civil war in Lebanon. His people come to Denmark, for father has a high educational example Arabic people, they background, but are stuck because when they came it is difficult for “The funny his mother did not them to choose thing about between Danish have any educational background. and Arabic things. our story is They came to DenThey are afraid mark for political of doing Danish that it just reasons. stuff like celebratGrowing up, happened. We ing Christmas Eve, Abdel wanted to they are didn’t think because be a Dane: Looking not Christians, or at things in the about it, and of going to Danish same way, doing parties, or simply our neighthe same stuff and eating Danish food having the same bours didn’t at work - in other traditions. He did words, they are think everything he afraid to become could to get there, Danish. about it.” and was mad Abdel and his about having to do family did both: all of these things They were Arabic to become a Dane. when they were at He started as home, and Danish an intern in 2004 when amongst at the American Danes. Abdel Channel ABC, speaks perfect and in 2006 he Danish, as well as became a host of Arabic. He jokes a youth program and says that he at Danish DR1. In believes his Danish 2007, he was the is even better than host of P3 news half of the Danes. at DR Update. In To him, it’s possi2010, he showed ble to combine the up as the host of the consumer Danish culture and the Arab program Basta at TV2. Soon in culture. 2011, he became the host of the Abdel explains how one time, evening show. In 2013, he was his mother made Falafel to her the editorial director at DR, and neighbour, and how his mother in 2014, he was the develop- in turn tried to eat Danish food. ment editor at Nordisk Film TV. On how he and his family were Finally he got there, and integrated in the Danish socibecame a journalist and TV host ety, Abdel laughs and says: “The in Nordisk Film TV, a channel funny thing about our story is
PAGE 6 | ISSUE # 99 | AUTUMN 2016 | NEW TIMES
fled from somewhere, who rude to be late. So that is a hard have experienced so many bad thing for both parties to adjust things and finally arrived in a to. The Danes have to be patient, safe and peaceful place, still and the newcomers, especially need to prove themselves. “But those from Arabic Muslim counI am sorry, that is how it is,” tries, they have to step it up, to BE GENEROUS BE PATIENT be more precise. Abdel has a very positive charac- says Abdel. “This It requires someter. To him, integration is about country has taken “if someone thing from both, being patient: “Be generous, be so many people patient, and work for it,” says in, so they want does not want Danish people and refugees.” Abdel as a proposal to asylum to see that you are Abdel believes to sit next to seekers and refugees, who are doing good things. that politicians coming today. He says, that it When they see you on the should stay out of will be very difficult, because that, they will give the integration. “I there will be many differences you a chance.” bus, maybe don’t think this is in culture, religion, and how it has notha political issue - it people look at things - these are IT JUST is a human issue,” the same things as when Abdel HAPPENED ing to do he says. Abdel started. Abdel says no But to him, it’s about find- to politicians in with racism doesn’t believe that it is true at ing the strength in the differ- integration. ”Poli- maybe they all that Danes are ences. When he became a TV ticians, they are more host, he knew that he actually very strict, they just prefer to becoming racist or more hosdidn’t look like anyone else, but think in boxes. But tile towards refuhe used that as an advantage: the thing is, when stand up” gees. To him it is Abdel did not care if he did not I talk to my neighthe mood and the look Danish when looking for bours, they all said tone on the refua job. He told the employers that it just hapgee crisis from the that he had an extra language pened.” In Abdel’s social media that and could get some stories that view, integration people are afraid others could not. is something that of. When he found obstacles, he just happens; “But you should didn’t immediately think that it when you borrow always remember was something bad. He simply something from that there is this thought like this: if someone your neighbours, movement called does not want to sit next to you when the local on the bus, maybe it has nothing people teach you something, Venligboerne, which counts to do with racism - maybe they and you teach the local people 150.000 people,” says Abdel. just prefer to stand up. If you something as well. Integration “They are doing everything cannot get a job, relates to both par- they can to help refugees to get maybe it’s because ties, but is some- a good start here. A hundred someone better “You should thing that just and fifty thousand people is like three times as many as the bigtook it, and not happens by itself. always because you have Abdel came gest party in Denmark.” Abdel has a good job and a different name. from an Arabic remember If your neighbour country, and there doesn’t need the extra money that there is when doesn’t want to people from the book. “But I want to drink coffee with move to a new tell the story,” he says. “That is this moveyou, maybe they place, neighbours more important than selling just had a bad day ment called would just come the book.” - just try somebody and knock on the Venligboerne, newcomer’s door else. “If you work invitwhich counts immediately, for it, if you show ing them over, or that you want just coming by 150.000 to be part of this without notice. people” country, they will ”Here in Denwant to let you in. mark,” Abdel But you have to says, “people set convince them,” up times to meet says Abdel. “People people in their calhere are sceptic, endar, and in that because they have precise time only. The front page heard of so many bad things They hate people who are late. of Abdel Aziz that show something different. It is not a big thing in Arab Mahmoud’s new book. But they want to love you.” countries, people come when The title says: “Your Abdel knows that it seems they come; but it is a very big Danish is very good!” unfair that people, who have thing here in Denmark. It’s very (Photo: Politiken) that it just happened. We didn’t think about it, and our neighbours didn’t think about it. It just happened.”
NEW TIMES | AUTUMN 2016 | ISSUE # 99| PAGE 7
BIRGITTE IS AN ANGEL TO THE ASYLUM SEEKERS IN AUDERØD
The volunteer Birgitte Nielsen, is popular among the asylum seekers in Auderød
❚❚By: Paiwand There are many people, who work in the asylum center as a volunteer in Denmark. Those volunteers are a very good help for asylum seekers and for the Red Cross. Some of them almost act like an asylum seeker’s family - they are next to them in hard times. They spend most of their time with helping the asylum seekers in many different ways, for example by taking them to church, organizing trips to museums, helping them to learn Danish and helping them to be a part of the Danish society. When I ask some of the asylum seekers about the volunteers in Auderød, all of them point to Birgitte Nielsen.
MY HUSBAND CALL HER MOM NOW
Mona Ahmadi from Kurdistan says: “Birgitte is such an angel for us. God sent her to our life. I think my mom is here now; she is a big person, a different one with a big heart, which it is full of love and kindness.” We moved to another center now which located in Jutland, but she still coming to visit us and take us out of the center. She always find out a way to help us. “Her behaviour and her legal I’m here with my personality is not like husband. He lost his mom a few years normal people” ago, now my husband call Birgitte mom. He told me she gaves same feel-
PAGE 8 | ISSUE # 99 | AUTUMN 2016 | NEW TIMES
ing and love which his mom gave to him.
SEES US AS NORMAL PEOPLE
Azad Ehsasi from Kurdistan expresses it this way: “Most of the Christian believe that saints are available between people I have always wished to meet one of them. Birgitte is a saint for me: she is a saint, who just have love and kindness in her heart.” Birgitte can understand us and she always trying to take us out of the camps and organize a picnic for us or invite us to her house and let us to make our favorite food. She sees us as normal people not us asylum seekers.
ALSO OMID THINKS SHE IS AN ANGEL.
Birgitte at work in the second hand shop in Auderød asylum center. (Photo: Paiwand)
hand clothes shop in the center. I sort clothes and help people to find clothes. Until two weeks ago I had nine people [asylum seekers], who helped me to sort the clothes and to be in the shop together with me. I started in the end of September 2015. I love my job in Auderød. It is a dream for me.” How do you feel about the asylum seekers? “I love to be with asylum seekers, and when I spend a lot of time with them my heart gets changed in a good way. I can feel their pain, and when I spend a lot of time with them, I can understand them better.”
”Her behaviour and her personality is not like normal people. I feel she wants the best for others before herself. She does not make any difference between religions or men “She helps everyone or women. She helps everyone in the same way” in the same way and in the same amount. And she invites us to her house. Birgitte Nielsen is one of the volunteers in Auderød center. She started in September 2015, and her job in Auderød is like a dream for her. What is your job in Auderød ? “I’m responsible for the second
A DESPERATE FATHER LOOKING FOR HIS SON Aslan was forced to leave his family in Afghanistan in 2002. Since then he has sought for them every day and managed to get reunited with his wife, and obtain sad knowledge of his eldest son. He is now hoping that Red Cross’ Trace The Face webpage will help him find his last son FACTS ABOUT TRACE THE FACE Trace the Face is an unique online tool for those who have lost the ones they love. On the website, people who are looking for missing loved ones can publish a photo of themselves. They hope their family will recognise them and use the Red Cross to get back in touch. The photos are hung in Red Cross offices and places where refugees gather all around Europe.
❚❚By Marion Chen Calm, gentle and weak, sitting in front of me is Aslan, a desperate Afghan father who has been looking for his lost son since 2002 after he fled his home country. A new project named Trace The Face set up by Red Cross two years ago helps people who want to look for their family members that lost contact because of war, terrorist attack, on the way of fleeing,etc. Aslan is one of them.
LEFT HOME
All of a sudden at one night in 2001, Aslan had to flee out of his hometown in Afghanistan not far from Iran. A number of armed tribes were fighting against one another and Aslan’s hometown was now under attack of the North Alliance. His mother and wife hastened him to run as far as he could to survive from the killing. He did it. He had to. He left his father killed by the North Alliance at home. At that time his youngest son was an infant and his elder son was only two years old. He hid himself in the mountain Astana Baba and then went to Turkey through Iran. “That journey is hard to describe”, he says. In 2002 he got to Britain. With no money and no cell phone. At that time he had lost all contact with his family members.
START LOOKING FOR THE LOST FAMILY
With the help of British Red Cross, he started to look for his family members. He tried all his effort when he was in Britain, searching around the refugee camps in Britain and going back to Iran and Pakistan wandering among all refugee camps there to set up connection with people who had also fled from his hometown. He only got little information. But someone told him that his wife, mother and two sons
had escaped from the hometown shortly after Aslan fled. In 2006 when Aslan was in Britain, the North Alliance was still searching for Aslan and they found Aslan’s family in another village in Afghanistan and killed his elder son in a very bad way. The kid was only around 6 years old at that time.
MORE TRAGEDY
More hardship came to Aslan on his way looking for the information of his family members. After living in Britain for six years, he was deported by the British government and was sent back to Afghanistan in 2008. None of the information of his family members could be found when he was back. He stayed in Kabul for about five days looking for information but nothing came out. Then he went to Pakistan to look for them, where he at last found some information of his wife from people from his hometown in a refugee camp. His wife had fled with his mother and younger son to Pakistan doing orchard plantation there. Unfortunately while Aslan got to Pakistan, his wife was just sent back to Afghanistan because she did not have legal residence there. But finally, after seven years’ separation he got in touch with his wife again. “She could not recognize my voice when she received my phone call”, Aslan tells with tears sliding down his cheek. His wife told him that his younger son got lost on the way cross the border from Pakistan to Iran. She had been with their son together with a larger group of women who had also been working illegally on the orchard plantation. They were assisted by human smugglers around the border areas on horse backs. His son was on the horse when they were ambushed by the Iranian border army. The smugglers escaped with his son by
horse and his wife was caught by the Iranian soldiers and sent back to Afghanistan.
HOPE ON TRACED FACE
Now Aslan has received asylum in Denmark and hopes to find information about his youngest - and only son - with the help of Red Cross’ online tracing service Trace The Face. He sits in the office of the tracing department in Copenhagen and points at a picture of himself that he hopes his son will see and react on. “I hope that Red Cross’ Trace The Face can help me to find my son,” he says.
MANY REUNITED In 2015, Red Cross found 464 people. In Denmark, around 70 people were reunited last year with the help of Red Cross’ tracing service. www.tracetheface.org
HOW DOES TRACE THE FACE WORK? It is easy, safe and confidential. ❚❚ First, contact your local Red Cross/Red Crescent office. ❚❚ They will take your picture and upload it to the website. They will also confidentially keep your contact information on file. ❚❚ If and when your loved one sees your picture, they can click on it and enter their information. ❚❚ The local Red Cross/Red Crescent Societies then verify this information before putting you back in touch.
NEW TIMES | AUTUMN 2016 | ISSUE # 99| PAGE 9
SINGLE MOM WOULD RATHER DIE, THAN CROSS THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA AGAIN Parisa brought her son with her across the Mediterranean Sea on her escape from Iran. The boat nearly sank. She advises other single mothers to think twice before they start their own dangerous and horrible journey with their children
“Even If I live 200 years I will never forget it.” Parisa says. Photo: Danial
❚❚By: Danial Parisa is 35 years old. She is a single mother. Seven months ago, she decided to flee from her home country Iran, and took the dangerous route from Iran to Denmark together with her seven-year-old son. The journey was one of the most unforgettable, expensive and most horrifying experiences in her life - but nevertheless a journey that she as a mother knew was necessary, if she wanted provide her son a secure life in the future
THE ESCAPE FROM IRAN
Parisa and her son now both live in Roskilde Asylum Center. To Parisa, the one difference between their life in Denmark and their former life in Iran is the sense of security and freedom. »Throughout our lives, Iranian women are forced to navigate in a web of restrictions imposed by law and custom,« Parisa says and continues. »Every aspect of our existence from how we must dress in public to how we can study Everything is restricted. Apart from that, I also fled because I had several problems with the government, which was making it dangerous for me to stay Iran.« Once she had decided to flee, a tough journey began. Parisa’s journey began with paying a lot of money to a smuggler, who ensured a safe journey for Parisa and her son. However, the reality was nothing like that promise: »The journey cost about 3000 dollar from Iran to Turkey. You pay the money to an assurance broker in a city nearby the Iranian border. You give him the money and he gives you
a secret phone number. You will give this secret number to another smuggler, when you reach the other side of border. We were told to turn off our mobile phones and just to take one bag. The smuggler told some people to throw their bag away if it is too heavy or too big. We had to walk for about six hours through fields and forest. We kept running, stopping and crouching every 500 meter. I was very exhausted, but my son encouraged me to continue the journey,” she recalls. ”Finally, we reached Yuksava, which is a small city in Turkey. We were picked up by
PAGE 10 | ISSUE # 99 | AUTUMN 2016 | NEW TIMES
yet another smuggler in Istanbul, who forced us to pay 3000 dollar to cross the Mediterranean Sea, which is now the deadliest border in the world. The smuggler assured us that we would be put in a safe boat, but when we made it to the shore, we discovered a small rubber boat.” Parisa pauses briefly, before she continues and looks at her son besides her: “The boat was already damaged, and it punctured on open sea, and we fell in the water,” she continues. “Me and my son, along with 50 other persons, were in the sea for four hours,
before they pulled us out of the water. All our our baggage fell into the sea. We lost everything we owned.”
EXPECTATION AND EXPERIENCE
Parisa and the more than 50 fellow refugees were rescued by the Greek authorities and taken to the island of Mytilini, which already played host to thousands of other refugees. Parisa will never forget the journey she took with her son: »Even If I live 200 years I will never forget it. This was the first time in my life, where I felt like I would die. The smugglers only
want to get your money. They don't care about if you live or if you die,« Parisa says. Parisa’s own expectations about the journey was nothing compared to the real journey she experienced. Actually, her expectations towards the journey was totally different. »Our smuggler ensured a safe journey for me and my son. So I expected that would be true.. But in reality the journey was horrible. For instance, we did not expect to see this many people gathered in a small boat, which after a few hours of sailing in sea, started to sink and water started to leak inside the boat. I remember we tried to draw water out of the boat and how everyone on board were fighting for their lives.« Parisa would never recommend this journey to other mothers. “I would rather die in my country than seeing my son die in front of my eyes in the middle of the sea. It was my choice to flee my home country. Not his”, she says. 3.165 DROWNED Parisa and her son were lucky not to drown. Many are not. According to the International Organization for Migration 3.165 people have drowned or are missing in the Mediterranean Sea this year (updated 28th of August).
NEW PROJECT WILL HELP ASYLUM SEEKERS GET INTERNSHIPS IN DANISH COMPANIES A new project sponsored by the state will prepare asylum seekers for the Danish labour market. Center Kongelunden is building a technical school for the purpose
❚❚Text and photo: Makmoud Kongelunden center is bustling with activities as New Times visits the Service Department in the center to inquire about a new project to activate asylum seekers living in the center. We had a chat with the head of the department Michael Nielsen, who is now project coordinator. The project is sponsored by the state, and it will start off the first of September (after the writing of this story), training between 16 and 20 persons. The project will have four types of trades; carpentry, painting, gardening and cleaning.
WHY THIS PROJECT?
“The Danish state decided that every refugee in Denmark must be active from day one after getting their positive response (the refugee status)”, Michael Nielsen explains. “For asylum seekers in the centers waiting for their cases to be processed, they need to be prepared to be active in the Danish labour market. After two months of training the staff in Kongelunden will try to find an external practic place in a Danish company for the asylum seekers. And if an asylum seeker obtains a practice in a company in Copenhagen and during his practice get refugee status, the refugee board will let him be in Copenhagen to continue his practice.”
ALL THE CENTER WILL BE INVOLVED
There are nearly 200 residents in the center and about 50 are children. The center is a special center, and it will be the first time to activate and involve asylum seekers in such activity. So there are 150 adults able
to be part of the project, and when both parents go outside the center after attending few weeks in the project for practice in different Danish companies, this will involve the nursery to take care of the small children. Parents will be leaving for their practice at 7 o'clock in morning. Also the nurses and the clinic will be involved. The school will be extended to two extra classes of plumbing and a small shop for making simple furniture. Gitte Nielsen, the head of the center has good expectations to the project. “The asylum seekers who have the resources to work now have the chance to do it here or outside the center. Nobody has to stay in their rooms and lay in their beds inactive. I think many will retain their dignity, improve their health and be proud of themselves”, she says.
Anders Nielsen is a staff member in the Service Center and responsible for both teaching and finding places for practice in Danish companies for the students in the project. “I will work in the carpenter class, because my education is carpentry, and I will teach small simple things to the students. We start from scratch and do small jobs. Some participants are very good and learn quick, in two or three weeks, and some are slow due to language difficulties and other difficulties and need two or three months to learn.”
General look at the working bench in the carpentry class
Anders Nielsen, carpentry teacher
NEW TIMES | AUTUMN 2016 | ISSUE # 99| PAGE 11
DANISH GOVERNMENT PROPOSES A LONG LIST OF NEW RESTRICTIONS FOR ASYLUM SEEKERS AND REFUGEES At the end of August the government put forward a list of changes and restrictions it would like to introduce in Denmark. Here is a short summary of the most important proposals
STAY UPDATED
❚❚By: Robin Ali Ahrenkiel El-Tanany Turning away asylum seekers on the border if a situation like last summer arises again ❚❚ The police must be present around the clock in deportation center Kærshovedgård ❚❚ Establishing a number of smaller asylum centers for unaccompanied minors, and access to withhold pocket money from the children if they break the rules in the center ❚❚ Higher demands to obtain permanent residence permit: ›› 6 years of legal stay before applying is raised to 8 years ›› 1 year of unsuspended prison sentence will today exclude the person from permanent residence forever, this is low❚❚
ered to 6 months ›› Waiting periods because of suspended prison sentences will be raised up to 15 years ›› The demand to not having received welfare for the last 3 years is raised to 4 years ›› The demand for fulltime employment is raised to 3 1/2 years within the last 4 years ❚❚ More focus on returning rejected asylum seekers: ›› Establishing reception centers for unaccompanied minors in the home countries ›› Putting pressure on the home countries by using development- and trade policies as an instrument to accept rejected asylum seekers
Establish reception- and reintegration programs in certain countries ›› Using Frontex for deportation tasks ❚❚ Increase repatriation of foreigners with residence permit by paying higher cash amounts and introducing an option for health insurance, pension, school fees and bonus to the municipalities ❚❚ The existing demand of legal stay in Denmark for 7 out of the last 8 years to move from “integration allowance” to normal social welfare (approx. twice as much) is supplemented by a new demand of ordinary, unsupported fulltime employment for a total of 2 1/2 years ››
(Source: www.refugees.dk)
Political negotiations continued after this magazine’s deadline. Follow the development of these proposals and see which ones are voted through Parliament on www.refugees.dk or on New Times’ facebook page (search for newtimes.dk).
GOVERNMENT ALSO WISHES TO DOWNSIZE THE REFUGEE APPEALS BOARD The Government suggests that by January 2017 the Refugee Appeals Board will only be consisting of three members - not five. And out goes the experts chosen by the Danish Refugee Council. According to Michala Bendixen from Refugees Welcome, this is a step in the wrong direction for justice for the asylum seekers. “The Immigration Service - who rejected the asylum seeker in the first place - will still be in the Appeals Board. So it will not be a true second instance court as the first and second instance will not be independent from each other”.
Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen and Minister of Integration Inger Støjberg from the party The Liberals propose a number of new restrictions. Photo: The Liberals
PAGE 12 | ISSUE # 99 | AUTUMN 2016 | NEW TIMES
Interview with former Minister of Foreign Affairs on:
THE REFUGEE CRISIS AND DENMARK’S BALANCING ACT ❚❚By Marion Chen
VALUES CONVENTIONS HUMAN RIGHTS
MONEY CULTURAL IDENTITY WELFARE SYSTEM
How severe is the financial problem regarding refugee issues in Denmark? There are problems in financing refugees. It means that you risk to cut down in other expenses, for example in welfare or in development aid. According to the so called DAC-rules a large portion of refugee expenses can be taken from development aid. So unless you increase development aid (what the government refuses) the consequence is less aid to the poorest countries. What do you think is the balance between humanity and protection of the state on refugee issue? It is difficult to define a precise balance. Denmark is a rich country and we can take more refugees than we have done until now. But of course there is a limit. What is the limit? I cannot give a precise figure. How can the state improve its financial situation on refugee
issue, including asylum seekers? The government could increase taxes a little bit. And work in the EU for more flexible deficitpolicies. EU has now very strict rules for deficits and it is bad. Southern EU-countries have tried to loosen the rules and Denmark should support them. There is a risk – in the whole of Europe – that de refuges-crises will have big negative consequences for development aid. Which will increase the refugee-problem.
Mr. Holger K. Nielsen is a Danish politician and a member of the Parliament. He’s representing the Socialist People's Party (SF), the former Minister of Foreign Affairs and is presently spokesman on integration affairs
Why do you think some Danes fear refugees? The Danes are historically a very open and tolerant people. Unfortunately many have become more intolerant to foreign cultures during the last decades. Many politicians use the refugees-problem in a populist way to have more voters. We must explain better that foreigners do not threat Danish culture but can enrich it. But also make demands to refugees to behave properly and and try to be integrated. Most of of them actually do.
ASYLUM SEEKERS’ OPINION ABOUT DENMARK AND THE REFUGEE CRISIS The refugee crisis is a hot topic in the political environment in Denmark. Here are the voices of two asylum seekers on the topic ❚❚By Marion Chen
NEW ASYLUM SEEKERS IN DENMARK PR WEEK
Hossein Mohamoodi is an asylum seeker from Iran. He stays in Denmark with his wife. They have been in Denmark for about eight months.
Pouenda Mohammad Alimmy is an asylum seeker from Afghanistan. He lives with his wife. They have been in Denmark for eight months.
What do you think about the fact that there has been many refugees coming to Denmark recently? “It is a problem now, but it will be resolved in the future. Because we are provided money for three years here when we arrive, but we will pay the money back with the taxes to the country in the next twenty years.”
What do you think about the fact that there has been many refugees coming to Denmark recently? “It is a big issue for a country. Especially a small country like Denmark. I can imagine the problem, if there was several of my friends coming to my small house and stayed there and ate in my home in Afghanistan everyday. I understand the problem, and it is a big problem.”
The increase in asylum applicants in 2015 made many politicians in Denmark and the rest of Europe discuss the economic impact of helping the refugees. In Denmark it costs around 220.000 kr per year to accommodate and case process one asylum seeker for one whole year. (Source: refugees.dk, Immigration Service)
NEW TIMES | AUTUMN 2016 | ISSUE # 99| PAGE 13
PEOPLE ON TOLERATED STAY NOT WILLING TO LIVE IN FORMER PRISON Most people on tolerated stay have now received a letter from the Immigration Service that they are to be moved to the new departure center - and former prison - Kærshovedgaard in Jutland during autumn this year. Many refuse to go
asylum because they made crimes. But it is not possible for them to back to their home country, because of risk of being persecuted. Many people on tolerated stay that New Times has been in contact with refuse to be transferred to Kærshovedgaard center. We asked some of them about the reasons for their refusal.
MR. ABOU, A FAMILY FATHER AND PALESTINIAN REFUGEE: Why are you on tolerated stay? “I am on tolerated stay because I have committed a crime that I paid a conviction for of twelve years. Once free, I was placed in Center Sandholm for six long years. And now the Danish authorities took the decision to transfer me to this old prison. How do you feel about that? So bad. I have to stay there all the time, day and night. I must sleep in the prison and can only go out for a few hours during the day. But I cannot go anywhere because the nearest village is about 14 km away. And I have to be controlled three times a day. I will be separated from my wife and my children who live in Hørsholm. Not only am I punished twice for the same offence, the authorities punishes my family too. What injustice.
❚❚By Ismael The new decision to transfer people on tolerated stay to the new departure center Kærshovedgaard in Jutland, a former prison, is being met with resistance. According to the plan the transfer starts this autumn. The people on tolerated stay are refugees who lost their
PAGE 14 | ISSUE # 99 | AUTUMN 2016 | NEW TIMES
What do you fear most? I have heard from someone who is already living in the center, that there is not the same access to medicine as there is in Sandholm. I am more than sixty years old. I am sick. I have cardiovascular problems with diabetes. Two months ago I got a stroke. I could die. Who will give me
medicine in Kærshovedgaard prison if people on tolerated stay are not allowed to get medicine? I have no money to buy medicine. Where is the Danish humanity? I have no taste for life. I despair.”
MR ISSA. PALESTINIAN REFUGEE. 60 YEARS OLD Why are you on tolerated stay? “I´m on tolerated stay on my 19th year year because I did a crime that I payed for with many years of prison in Denmark. How do you feel about being transferred to Kærshovedgaard? I am more than sixty years old. I am not healthy and I fear that Kærshovedgaard may become worthy of the concentration camps of the second world war. I know the Danish people refuse that. But how far will this policy of the government go? Kærshovedgaard is a death trap for people on tolerated stay like me.” Why do you think the Danish authorities make this new departure center? I think the Danish government wants to show its voters that it is in the process of securing the country and reduce the flow of asylum seekers. I feel discarded and rejected from the Danish society. I refuse to go” Are you not afraid to be pursued by the police and risk prison if you refuse to go to Kærshovedgaard? “A justice that it is not fair is no longer to be feared because it is losing its respect, prestige and its fear. Regarding prison, I don't see a difference between a normal jail and the Kærshovedgaard camp. I don't see it as a camp. I see it as a prison “.
TWO OUT OF THREE DISAPPEAR ON THE WAY TO KÆRSHOVEDGAARD At the end of August the newspaper Information writes that two out of three rejected asylum seekers vanish when referred to the departure center Kærshovedgaard. It is suspected that the asylum seekers either go underground or go to other countries.
LAWYER: “YOU CANNOT REJECT TO GO TO KÆRSHOVEDGÅRD” Jakob Nielsen, lawyer from the Danish Refugee Council says that “if you are informed by the Immigration Service (Udlændingestyrelsen) that you are to be moved to the Deportation Center Kærshovedgaard you will have to go. You cannot reject to go”. He adds that the departure center is not a prison. It is a center where people can walk freely around. But it used to be an open prison and is run by the Danish Prison and Probation Service and have the presence of Danish Police for reporting duty. Also the center is located far away from other cities. To some people, he says, this could feel like being in a prison.
WHO WILL LIVE THERE? The Deportation Center Kærshovedgaard is planned to accommodate 1. single men and women with a final rejection in their asylum case 2. aliens, who have been expelled from Denmark in a court ruling 3. aliens living under the rules of tolerated stay Counselling The Danish Refugee Council will soon have an office at the center where they will offer counselling to the people living there.
Pictures from the departure center. (Photo: Mathew)
NEW TIMES | AUTUMN 2016 | ISSUE # 99| PAGE 15
ASYLUM SEEKERS GIVE OLD BIKES NEW LIFE IN DIANALUND Two asylum seekers spend their waiting time on repairing old bikes. It makes them happy to see the smile of children when they get a bike to play with
❚❚By: Hala Biland Shabak from Iraq and Poyenda Alimmy from Afghanistan are asylum seekers in Dianalund asylum center. They have decided to taking advantage of the waiting time to do useful things. They have - with help from the Red Cross office - cleaned and painted a room, where they repair broken bicycles and sell them for a cheap price. New Times met and asked them about their feeling, when help the other refugees: “We feel happy when we help them, especially when we see a smile on the children’s face when they get a bike, because we provide bikes to refugees in cheaply” they said.
They welcome anyone who wants to help and donate a bike even if it’s very old. You can be sure that it will to bring joy to the hearts of refugees.
DONATE YOUR OLD BIKE
A local magazine in a nearby town came and made interview with them and wrote an article about the shop. The magazine wrote that it is a nice idea and motivate Danish people to donate their old bikes to the asylum seekers.
ASK A LAWYER 1
Hi. I am a Filipino woman who came to Denmark 2010 by visa for an au pair job for a 18 month contract for Danish families. I have two children, both born in Denmark, with my filipino boyfriend who has Danish residence permit and Danish citizenship. I have applied for asylum but have been rejected. My question is: is it possible to marry my boyfriend here in Denmark? If not and I am deported what about my kids? Will they be sent back with me or stay with their father?
1
The main rule is that you have to have a legal stay to marry in Denmark. As a rejected asylum seeker you do not have a legal stay in Denmark. However, because you and your boyfriend have children, the Commune can allow you to marry in Denmark even though you do not have a legal stay. You can apply for dispensation at the Commune where either you or your boyfriend live. It is important that you know, that a marriage between you and your boyfriend does not mean that you obtain a residence permit in Denmark. You will still be in the position as
a rejected asylum seeker and the police will continue to plan your deportation to the Philippines. I can read from your inquiry that your boyfriend is a Danish citizen and therefore your children are also Danish citizens. This means that they can stay in Denmark with their father, should you be deported to the Philippines, but you can also chose that your children follow you to the Philippines (if the Philippine authorities will allow the children to enter the country with you). You can apply for family reunification to be able to stay in Denmark with your boyfriend and also with your children. If you marry your boyfriend you can apply for family reunification with him. If you decide to stay unmarried, you can apply for family reunification with you children instead. To learn more on the rules of family reunification, you can visit www.nyidanmark.dk. You can also visit the Danish Refugee Councils Legal Advisory Service, who can offer you advice on the rules of family reunification in relation to your specific situation. To find the nearest Legal Advisory Service you can visit www.frivillignet.dk.
PAGE 16 | ISSUE # 99 | AUTUMN 2016 | NEW TIMES
We sent your questions to the lawyers at the Danish Refugee Council. Here are their replies
2
Hi. I’m on tolerated stay (“tålt ophold”), and they want to send me to the new departure center Kærshovedgård in Jylland. I fear that. People say it is like a prison. Can I refuse to go or has the justice the right to condemn me there?
2
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) are aware of all the rumours about the Deportation Center Kærshovedgaard, because it used to be an open prison. The Deportation Center Kærshovedgaard is planned to accommodate 1. single men and women with a final rejection in their asylum case 2. aliens, who have been expelled from Denmark in a court ruling 3. aliens living under the rules of tolerated stay The center is located far away from other cities and to some people this could feel like being in a prison. Also the center is run by staff from the Danish Prison and Probation Service. Furthermore the Danish Police will be present at the center for the reporting duty. You are right that the presence of the Danish Prison and Probation Service and the Police reminds you of a
prison. BUT besides these things the center is similar to a normal asylum center where you can walk freely around. The DRC will soon have an office at the center where we will offer counselling to the people living there. The DRC has also run a course for the staff members from the Danish Prison and Probation Service. At the course we gave them information about the Danish asylum procedure, asylum seekers and people on tolerated stay. If you are informed by the Immigration Service (Udlændingestyrelsen) that you are to be moved to the Deportation Center Kærshovedgaard you will have to go. In other words you cannot reject to go.
3 3
Hi. I have experienced bad treatment from my lawyer. Do I have any possibilities to complain or get a new one? If an asylum seeker in the normal asylum procedure receives a negative answer from Immigration Service in his/her asylum case the case will automatically be complained to the Refugee Appeals Board (Flygtningenævnet). In the Refugee Appeals board the asylum seekers will be represented by
a lawyer. If the asylum seeker does not choose an lawyer himself, the Refugee Appeals Board will assign a lawyer to him/her - typically a lawyer who has his office close to where the asylum seeker is accommodated. In case you are not satisfied with your lawyer you are free to choose another lawyer if you have good reasons, for example if you have received bad treatment. If you have received bad treatment from your lawyer you can consider to make a complaint to the Danish Bar and Law Society. You can find contact information on http:// www.advokatsamfundet.dk/ Service/English.aspx. YOU CAN ALSO CONTACT: Dansk Flygtningehjælp Legal Counseling Unit Asylum Department Borgergade 10 Postbox 53 1002 København K www.drc.dk Email: advice@drc.dk Free Legal Counseling for asylum seekers every Wednesday from 10:00 - 13:00 You need to present your questions in Danish or English