New Times Winter 2016

REFUGEES. REPORT. LIFE.

NEWTIMES WINTER 2016 > ISSUE # 100

WANT TO INTEGRATE? LISTEN TO THIS MAN Ibrahim El-Khatib came to Denmark as a refugee in 1990. Now he is the Head of an IT department, chairman of a community board and newly elected member of the Danish Red Cross Governing Board

1.450 SOMALIS RISK LOSING THEIR RESIDENCE PERMIT PAGE 11

VOLUNTEERING IN CAFÉ HELPS MOHAMED LEARN DANISH PAGE 6

INTERVIEW WITH THE MINISTER OF INTEGRATION PAGE 3

DEAR READER What is good integration? That is one of the important questions in the Danish society these days after the country for a period has taken in more refugees than normal.

In this magazine we ask the Minister of Integration, Inger Støjberg, three central questions about integration. We also put focus on asylum seekers who are all working hard on learning the Danish language and culture as fast as possible.

And we seek the keys for the

good integration in an interview with a successful leader and member of several general boards - and who himself fled to Denmark 26 years ago.

In the public discussion about immigrants we so often hear about the challenges and threats to the Danish society.

Especially from the people from non-Western countries.

So it actually came as a surprise for many when a big survey (funded by the Minister of Integration) recently concluded that the immigrants

from non-Western countries are supporting democracy as much as ethnic Danes.

Of course there are challenges and problems when big numbers of refugees suddenly end up in a country like Denmark. These things need to be addressed. And it seems to us in our news room that this is being addressed quite well in the Danish public. But we will also like to put focus on - like the survey showed - that the foreigners coming to Denmark share many of the same funda-

mental values and dreams as shared by most Danes.

When Danes invite the foreigners to their homes or they start working together they often discover surprisingly mutual values in each other. This is also described in our story about the Muslim girl being invited for a Danish Christmas.

You will never find out about “the others” just by reading the news. That will not show the immigrant how the Danes are.

And it will not show the Dane

how the immigrant is. You need to meet each other. You need to engage in society.

Robin Ali Ahrenkiel El-Tanany

“I enjoy working and living with the Danes.

They are very honest when dealing in business and the foreigner has equal rights to the Danish citizens” Sabah Sabri Isa fled from Iraq to Denmark in 1999. Now she owns a shop that sells evening dresses in Copenhagen.

(Text: Hala Photo: Bahr Jasim)

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: Makmoud, Sarah, Hala, Bahr, Eden, Marion Chen, Paiwand, Mila & Danial Editorial assistants: Katja Gasiorowski, Anne-Marie Dynes Møller, Naja Duus Bendixen, Marie Hohnen & Julie Steenbuch Holt Intern: Emma Heiberg Volunteers Camilla Uhrskov Bank Layout: Jens Burau, supergreen.dk

PAGE 2 | ISSUE # 100 | WINTER 2016 | NEW TIMES

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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 MINISTER’S VIEW ON INTEGRATION ❚❚ By: Emma Heiberg & Marion Chen What do you expect refugees to do in order to integrate in the Danish society?

“When you arrive in Denmark as a refugee, I expect you to find a job, learn the language and embrace the Danish society including the values this country is built on. That means that you have to provide for yourself and your family. You also have to participate actively in society, for example by taking part in cultural events or being a member of a sports club. We have a tradition to do so in Denmark.”

ety. A connection to the labor market can also be established through internships with companies or an IGU-position.”

Can you protect Denmark’s interests and at the same time ensure the human rights for refugees in Denmark?

New Times asks the Danish Minister of Integration, Inger Støjberg, three questions on integration

“In my opinion, we can do all those things at the same time.

But it requires something from all of us. For the refugees coming here, it requires that you are able to provide for yourself and your family after you have received protection from the Danish state. We will do

what we can in our attempt to protect the people who are being persecuted in different parts of the world. But you have to give something back to the country. That is to provide for yourself and your family and embrace Denmark and the Danish values”.

The Minister of Integration, Inger Støjberg.

Photo: Hasse Ferrold

What do you expect the Danish society should do in order to integrate the refugees?

“When you arrive in Denmark, I expect that you find a job and thus are able to provide for yourself. And when I expect that, it “Successful inte- obviously folthat the gration relies on lows state creates an the refugees’ abil- opportunity of getting a job. ity to embrace That is why the rnment Danish values and Ghaso v e made a provide for them- good deal with Danish selves. And on the employers and Denmark’s abil- unions to create job positions as ity to create job part of a basic ntegration opportunities for iprogram.

This them. “ education program works as stepping-stone to the Danish labor market. And it helps you to learn the language, get Danish colleagues and establish a network in Denmark. Not a lot of job vacancies are posted in the newspapers in Denmark, so the easiest and most effective way to get a job is by having a Danish network. And you will only get this network, if you participate actively in the sociFACTS

Watch our video interview with the Minister on www.newtimes.dk

NEW TIMES | WINTER 2016 | ISSUE # 100| PAGE 3

WANT TO INTEGRATE? LISTEN TO THIS MAN Ibrahim El-Khatib came to Denmark as a refugee in 1990.

Now he is the Head of an IT department, chairman of a community board and newly elected member of the Danish Red Cross Governing Board

“I will never give up and I did not give up since I came to Denmark. Now I got everything I wanted,” says Ibrahim El-Khatib (Photo: Bahr Jasim)

PAGE 4 | ISSUE # 100 | WINTER 2016 | NEW TIMES

❚❚By Marion Chen Ibrahim El-Khatib is a Palestinian refugee from Lebanon.

He used to stay in the asylum centre for two years and four months. Now he is the head of IT and Internal Service in Red Cross Asylum Department. And in October he was elected as a member of the Danish Red Cross Governing Board.

THE WAY TO DENMARK

At the age of twenty three, Ibrahim El-Khatib came to Denmark in 1990. He was studying civilian engineering in Poland,

but he could no longer go back home in Lebanon because of the civil war. “I had to find somewhere else to live, so I came to Denmark,“ says Ibrahim ElKhatib.

Ibrahim El-Khatib applied for asylum in Denmark and got asylum granted after two years and four months. He has stayed in three centres, first in Sandholm, then Rødby and then in Holbæk. There was nothing for him to do in the asylum centre at that time, just sitting there and waiting. While describing the life in the asylum centre during that time, Ibrahim El-

Khatib says, “ Two years and four months waiting time - it was like hell.”

DO NOT GIVE UP

But no matter how hard the situation was in the asylum centres, Ibrahim El-Khatib did not give up his hope of life. He used his time to learn Danish while waiting. However, there were not many language classes in the centre, only once a week.

So he learned and practiced his language with the Red Cross staff in the office.

In 1992, when he got his asylum granted, he could speak a little Danish. He knew that was not enough for the further study or looking for a job. He needed more language skills. So he went to the language school to improve his language.

At that time, he had almost forgot all about the civilian engineering. He then planned to start something new, focusing on what was the trend of the world. He found out that computer technology was the trend which might help him find a job and develop himself, and he decided to study computer in 1994. He should first have a certificate of high school qualification for the computer science, so he had to go to a gymnasium for one year. In 1995, he became a student from Roskilde Business School and graduated in 1998. “One month before I graduated, I got the position in Red Cross. They needed a webmaster who could speak Arabic.

I applied the position and I got it. And now I am still here,” says Ibrahim El-Khatib.

FIGHT

He had his plan for the future from the very beginning. He is now the head of the IT and Internal Service office, and have 20 people in his department. Furthermore, he is one of 16 in the Governing Board developing the whole strategy for the Red Cross in Denmark.

“The only thing you need is to believe yourself,” says Ibrahim El-Khatib, “I will never give up and I did not give up since I came to Denmark. Now I got everything I wanted.”

Some of the newcomers in Denmark think that Denmark will give them everything without doing anything, which they think is the meaning of human rights. “That is wrong,“ says Ibrahim El-Khatib. “Forget about these things. If you have this idea in mind, you will never be a success in Denmark. Fight in the right ways, fight for your duties and for your wishes. Do not wait for others to give it to you. In Denmark, you have to fight.”

CHANGE MENTALITY

Ibrahim El-Khatib thinks that newcomers should know what they want to be in this country and try to struggle to change their mentality from the homeland. For example, most people

do not want to spoil what they have learnt in their homeland and want to look for a job based on their previous professions.

But unfortunately, most cannot find such a job.

“People might think they should not work as an office staff because they have a high education. It’s not the right way, “ says Ibrahim El-Khatib. “You have to make your life a little bit flexible.”

“In Denmark, if you are 80 years old, you can still study for whatever you want, ”says Ibrahim El-Khatib. He finished his leadership diploma which he started to learn at the age of 46.

NO RACISM

Ibrahim El-Khatib speaks Arabic in his family, but he speaks Danish, English and Polish in the public or working places. He did not experience any racism in Denmark. He shows to the Danish people that he is one of them. “I show them that we are the same,” says Ibrahim ElKhatib. “Now I have a very high position but I will not misuse it.

If i misuse it, people would say that this man is just coming to steal our jobs or take our positions.”

Be yourself and be equal, this is the belief of Ibrahim ElKhatib. He has traveled with the Red Cross and helped people all over the world in a department which is called Emergency Response Unit.” I have been to so many places in the world and helped a lot of people,” he says.

INTEGRATION IS NOT ABOUT RULES

According to Ibrahim El-Khatib’s view, integration is not something that you can create by sitting somewhere in a government building and come with some rules. You have to go to the street and talk to people, ask them what they need, what they have to do, to help them to reach their goal, especially when they are new in Denmark.

“That will help very much with the integration,” he says.

Ibrahim El-Khatib used the same method in Høje Tastrup, the area where he lives and he thinks that it helps. The criminal record used to be about 32% in this area.

Last year and this year there has been no criminal things anymore.

“Because we have talked to people, asking what they want and what they need,” he says. “We have done something to resolve their problems, not just using some rules from somewhere. The right way for the integration is to talk to people and help them.”

IBRAHIM EL-KHATIB

Ibrahim El-Khatib is 49 years old and lives with his family. In 1994 he married a Palestinian woman and they have three daughters. The elder one (21 years old) and the middle one (19 years old) are both volunteers at Red Cross. The youngest is 14 years old. “They love their father,” he says with a happy smile.

NEW TIMES | WINTER 2016 | ISSUE # 100| PAGE 5

MOHAMED LEARNS DANISH

BY VOLUNTEERING IN CAFE

Mohamed Adam has found his own ways of learning Danish language and culture fast and effectively

Mohamed Adam with Anne in the cafe.

❚❚By: Hala Mohamed Adam is a refugee working hard to integrate in the Danish society. We met him volunteering in a cafe in Sorø. He is 36 years old, he came from Syria, and he lives with his wife, Haya in a nice apartment in Sorø. He came to Denmark in 2012 and applied for asylum.

TRYING TO STAY ACTIVE IN THE ASYLUM CENTER

Mohamed Adam remained in the asylum center for about one year and three months. ”I tried to be an active person”, Adam says and continues: ”I was spending my time in the asylum center with the staff members there and I was trying to learn english and danish. Sometimes, I helped the other asylum seekers by translating for them”.

A SPECIAL WAY TO LEARN DANISH

He speaks about his own special way to learn danish. He wrote

5-6 danish words in a small paper and kept it in his pocket for around one week, and when he took the bus or train or when he just had the time - he read it, and repeated it throughout the week. In this way, he made sure that he would not forget it.

In addition, he watched Danish TV - to hear the pronunciation.

PRACTICES AND PRACTICES

“After I got the Dansk 3 certificate, I started to do practice”, Adam says. ”Now I want to use my language, that I learned in school and not forget about it.

I went to school a year and half ago”.

He speaks about how he practiced his Danish. He started as translator in the asylum center for about 2 months. But he thought that this would not help him, because all asylum seekers he was in contact with, could not speak Danish. So he was afraid, he would forget the language, that he had just spent 8 months to learn.

PAGE 6 | ISSUE # 100 | WINTER 2016 | NEW TIMES

Photo: Hala

Then, he decided to practice with Danes.

He found a cafe called “Intro”, with the help from someone he knew. He is still in the same cafe now, more than one year later. ”The owners are very kind and patient persons. They love to help me, teach me, and to let me be in contact with the customers. This is what makes my language become stronger and stronger. Sometimes, they invite me to visit their houses”, Adam says.

INTEGRATION IN COMMUNITY

“Whenever there is a meeting or party happening, where both the Danes and the refugees are invited, I try to sit and speak just with the Danes - to know how they live, to be one of them and to try to live like them”, Adam says.

DREAMING OF LIFE AS A BUS DRIVER

“My dream is to be a bus driver, like my father. Therefore, I work

now to get my drivers license to become what I want”, Adam says.

TIP FOR REFUGEES

He want to give the new refugees a tip: “If they want to begin a new life in Denmark, they must start to learn Danish. Then they must try to find a place to practice - like a job. Every person can help himself by arranging his own life”, Adam says and continues: ”I believe in the Danish wisdom that says, ‘En klog mand, han keder sig aldrig’, which means, that a clever person is never bored if he know how to live, and how to spend his time”.

CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS WITH DANES

Red Cross’ project ”Julevenner ”creates joy for both Danes and asylum seekers. It gives refugees the possibility to step into the Danish Culture and experience the Danish traditions. Jacob Holdt who has become a host for refugees at Christmas year after year calls his guests “part of the family “ ❚❚By: Mila Jacob Holdt is a Danish photographer, writer and lecturer.

He has invited asylum seeker Visala Manieva to his home to celebrate Christmas Eve. They agreed to share their experiences.

Visala Manieva is from Azerbaijan and has been living in Denmark since 2008 with her family. She has always wondered about the Danish traditions, and she celebrated Christmas for the first time with Jacob and his wonderful family in 2013. Since then they have become really good friends and now they celebrate Christmas together every year.

“I am muslim and we do not usually celebrate Christmas. But since I came to Denmark and saw how Danes were looking forward to Christmas, I began to think that it will be nice to celebrate Christmas with Danes.

The fact that Jacob Holdt invited us to his home made me happy and excited”, Visala Manieva says.

DANISH CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS

Already in beginning of November almost everyone in Denmark begin to prepare for Christmas.

The Christmas lights turns on in the cities and everyone is getting caught by the good atmosphere.

It gets more and more interesting for those who are not used to celebrate Christmas.

“I was really surprised by the many traditions they had on Christmas Eve. For example dancing around the tree and singing, Danish Christmas Dinner and “Risalamande” which is kind of rice pudding served for Christmas. They put a whole almond in the “Risalamande” and the person who finds it gets an “Almond present”. It is really fun and entertaining. I think it is important to know Danish traditions and culture when you live here in Denmark. It is really different from my home country Azerbaijan”, Visala Manieva says.

BECOMING A PART OF THE FAMILY

The first time Jacob Holdt invited a refugee for Christmas was when his children’s grandmother died. They were really sad about the fact, that she was not going to be there on Christ-

mas Eve, so he decided to give them a worthy “substitute”.

“I was volunteering at the library, helping children with their homework. Then I asked if Red Cross would like to help me to invite some refugees for Christmas Eve. And when the guests came over we had a lot of fun and my children said that it was the best Christmas ever”, Jacob Holdt says.

Since then Jacob Holdt has invited new people every year for Christmas from different countries like Iraq, Azerbaijan and Syria. Different countries come together and enjoy each other’s company. It gives a lot of good experiences and very interesting conversations.

“It is kind of funny how they

become a part of the family. We have been in touch and visiting each other often. Every year I invite Visala and her family to celebrate Christmas, because it is fun for her and also for us. They spread happiness and make the day more special”, Jacob Holdt says with a big smile on his face.

CHRISTMAS IS THE PERFECT OPPORTUNITY

Jacob Holdt believes that it is important for the Danes who want to teach Danish values and lifestyle to those who will inherit our society. There are different ways to do this, but Jacob Holdt is convinced that celebrating Christmas could be the best way. In this way, inte-

gration will be completed, he explains.

“I know that many Danes feel alone or tired of celebrating Christmas at the same place with the same people. When new people come into the picture it can turn the turn the traditional Christmas celebration to something different and exciting, especially if they have children. It is fun to see children happy waiting for their present.

I surely recommend others to do the same”, Holdt says.

Visala Manieva recommends other asylum seekers and refugee to sign up as guests for Christmas. “It is a nice way to make a network and share happiness with other people”, she says.

NEW TIMES | WINTER 2016 | ISSUE # 100| PAGE 7

HOSTING A REFUGEE IS A WIN-WIN SITUATION After 20-year-old Jamal Habash got his residence permit in Denmark, the municipality told him to choose whether he wanted to live in a shared flat with other refugees or with a Danish host family ❚❚Pictures and text by: Bahr Jasim Jamal chose to live with a host family to meet a Danish family and experience the everyday life in Denmark. He is now living with Klaus Volck Mortensen and Karin Volck Sahlertz.

The Danish couple express their positive feelings about having a refugee staying with

Jamal holds the chair for his hostess, Karin. “I always help them with cleaning the house and such stuff and they help me with the papers from the municipality and so on”, Jamal says.

PAGE 8 | ISSUE # 100 | WINTER 2016 | NEW TIMES

them and advise the Danish society to take initiative and be close to the newcomers. So they can see for themselves - not just hearing from the media - how refugees really are.

"It’s very good. We have to spread the word", Karin has said answering the question "how does it function to have a refugee in your house"?

“I think that when they are receiving kindness from us, they will kindly and friendly respond to the Danish society” Karin Volck Sahlertz, hosting a refugee

“We sometimes meet with people who have heard that Klaus and I have a refugee living with us: They ask me about how it works. I tell them that it is very important that we talk together and also know a little about Muslims.

The main rule is to be kind to each other, because I think that when they are receiving kindness from us, they will kindly and friendly respond to the Danish society” Karin says.

Klaus is asking Jamal to pick up some apples from the garden to give to his friends.

Jamal is sitting in his room on the 1st floor of the house, here he spends most of his time talking with friends or studying.

Klaus is showing his new bike with a battery to Jamal and explains how it works and how to ride it. The punch back (to the left) was a gift from Karin and Klaus to Jamal in order to practice boxing which is Jamal’s favorite hobby.

"I don't know how to cook and this is why Karin always tells me that I don't get enough good food and I have to take care about my health and eat good food. They keep giving me advice and take care of my health", Jamal says.

Jamal on his daily route: By public transportation he is on his way to school to learn more so that he one day can give back.

NEW TIMES | WINTER 2016 | ISSUE # 100| PAGE 9

Helping through friendship is something that volunteer Therese Romijn believes in. She is volunteering for Venligboerne in Allerød and has dedicated her time to help and welcome newcomers into the Danish community ❚❚By Eden Kindness, curiosity and respect are some of the most important values in Venligboerne.

Therese Romijn has been working in center Sandholm the past five years, and believes that the best way to welcome the refugees is to be kind and become friends with the them.

She is from the Netherlands and has been in Denmark for more than 30 years with her Danish husband and now she is a volunteer in Venligboerne in Allerød.

What are Venligboerne volunteers and what are they doing?

“THE GOOD AND EASY WAY TO HELP IS THROUGH FRIENDSHIP” “We volunteers try to help newcomers to our municipality to offer the kind of help they need - for example household things, shoes, clothes, and also to show them places like the hospital, grocery stores and so on", Therese Romijn says.

Therese Romijn points out: "Our Facebook page is very helpful for people to communicate easily about these everyday things. I know a Syrian man who lived in Hjørring camp and moved to the municipality of Allerød when he got positive (asylum). He wrote on our Facebook page and I contacted him and told him that I would wait for him in Allerød the day he

moved to take him to the right place. It makes me and other people happy when we find a person who wants to help. That is why I joined the group, to help.”

What kind of activities do you do with refugees?

“We get a place in the library where we meet once a week. We have more than 160 refugees who moved to Allerød all the way from Eritrea, Afghanistan, Syria and so on. Everyone brings cake, makes coffee and tea and we listen to music and share background stories. We make friends with Danish people and we also ask them what kind of

WHAT IS VENLIGBOERNE?

- Venligboerne is a community movement dedicated to build bridges between people since june 2013. One of their main ambitions is to help and meet refugees with kindness - they believe that the meeting of new and longstanding residents of Denmark can bring added joy and insight into all of our lives.

- The Venligboerne movement began in the Danish town of Hjørring and was founded by Merete Bonde Pilgaard. The movement is not affiliated with any political party.

- Want to help? Venligboerne have different departments in Denmark for help and activities - you can find and join them on venligboerne.org or Facebook.

Source: http://www.easyintegration. dk and http://www.venligboerne.org help they need", Therese Romijn says.

She continues: "The Allerød Venligboerne opened in January 2016, and now we are 825 members in this Facebook group. It is very important for the refugees to meet Danish people and to integrate with the Danish culture because it makes it more easy to learn Danish. Now we are looking for a new place for our meetings because we are not allowed to use the library for that anymore”.

How does the community welcome the people who live in camps?

“We are welcoming everyone we meet in real life or on our Facebook page. I know about Sandholm because I worked there, and I have met very good people for the past five years during my time there. But other people who don’t know the asylum seekers from the camps like I do get afraid of them because of the horrible news about them on TV. So they mostly think about helping people who are already accepted into Denmark”, Therese Romijn says.

Friendship guides a lot of the work in Venligboerne. Here a picture from one of their activities (the woman in the picture is not Therese Romijn) (Photo: Lars Horn)

PAGE 10 | ISSUE # 100 | WINTER 2016 | NEW TIMES

THE EXPERT

For more information about the Somali issue, New Times made contact with the head of the orginasation Refugees Welcome, Michala Bendixen:

There are 165 school-age children among the 1450 Somalis in risk of being sent back to Somalia (Photo: Terry C. Mitchell/ CC)

1.450 SOMALIS RISK LOSING THEIR RESIDENCE PERMIT ❚❚By: Hala & Robin Ahrenkiel El-Tanany The Danish Immigration Service has indicated that it will screen 1,200 Somali cases (totalling 1450 individuals) to see if the home conditions played a sufficiently significant role in determining the grant of residence permits to them. If so, they risk being expelled from Denmark, refugees.dk reports.

There are different reports on the security situation in Somalia.

Some say it is still very dangerous. Some say that conditions have improved in Mogadisho, the capital. The Danish Refugee Appeals Board has recently expelled five Somali refugees,

referring to reports of improved security in Mogadishu. This is the reason for the Danish Immigration Service’s decision to screen the 1450 Somali refugees living in Denmark.

Those affected will receive a letter and their cases will go to a hearing.

In 2012, Denmark was forced to align its practice with a judgment by the European Court of Human Rights. It was the socalled Sufi and Elmi judgment, which said that the overall situation in Mogadishu was so dangerous that everyone coming from there should have protection.

For more information go to www.refugees.dk

What can the Somali people do about the new decision to reopen cases?

If Somali people receive a letter from the Immigration Service, they have three weeks to reply. What they need to do is collect documentation of the following: ❚❚ An individual asylum motive for one’s children (i.e. Risk of FMG (Female Genital Mutilation) for daughters), which has not been presented or acknowledged in one’s asylum case, and/or ❚❚ The attachment to Denmark – this could be children, other family members, Danish language exam, jobs, education, voluntary work, and maybe weak connection to Somalia (if one left Somalia a long time before he or she came to Denmark or, if one has no relatives there anymore), and/or ❚❚ Health problems that are serious and require treatment and/or medicine (needs to be documented by the doctor).

If it’s not possible to get the documentation within three weeks, send the reply anyway and mention that more documentation will follow later.

In any case, he or she should also consider applying for resettlement support money in time, in case he or she will end up losing the residence permit. The time limits are very important. It is a lot of money, and for some it will be an opportunity to build a new life in one of the more safe parts of Somalia.

Can they apply for asylum in another country?

Usually not, because of the Dublin regulation. But there might be an option for family reunification in another country, if one has a spouse or a child in another country – this will follow the rules of that country and they vary.

What are the things required that makes a country “safe”?

They don’t say it is safe in Somalia, but they say that being in Mogadishu is not a violation of human rights in itself anymore.

In 2012, all asylum seekers from Mogadishu got asylum, which is very rare and only happens for a limited period of time – like all Syrians get asylum today. A small change for the better might be enough to reject some of them.

But the changes in Somalia are strongly disputed, some reports are actually showing a weaker security situation than last year.

NEW TIMES | WINTER 2016 | ISSUE # 100| PAGE 11

SNAPSHOTS OF ASYLUM SEEKERS IN DENMARK

New Times bring you four strong portraits of asylum seekers in Denmark

❚❚By Paiwand and Danial

HASSAN I’m 22 years old and, I live in Denmark with my mom and my brother. My life has been difficult since my childhood. We are from Iraq, but Saddam Hussein’s government exiled us to Iran. In Iran they looked at us like we were the enemy.

I was so scared all the time.

We could not go to school and no one wanted to be our friend.

But now, our life has changed from the moment my mother, my brother and myself arrived in Denmark. We are very happy, and we feel safe for the first time. We can continue our lives, and we can be friends with whoever we want to.

When I got here, I only spoke Farsi and Arabic, but now I can speak English and Danish too. I have also been given an opportunity to work in a supermarket to gain working experience.

That’s why I’m very thankful to Denmark for making my life so much better.

(By Paiwand)

ALI “When we first got to Denmark, we felt so foreign and alone.

I couldn’t speak English. But that was until we met some good Danish people. They became our good friends and helped us improve our English and Danish. Also, we didn’t feel lonely anymore, and they made us able to handle all the new changes in our lives. They helped us learn about Danish culture and helped us understand the Danish people better.

Even though we met new, Danish friends, there are still some people, who look at us like we are terrorists or dangerous people. I think the best way to help the asylum seekers is by giving them love and kindness, and to look at us as normal human beings. Sometimes just a smile or a “hello” makes everything better and easier. This makes refugees feel like they’re not alone and like they actually have some family here.“

(By Paiwand)

PAGE 12 | ISSUE # 100 | WINTER 2016 | NEW TIMES

KOSAR »I came to Denmark 10 months ago with my husband and my disabled child after leaving our home country Afghanistan.

We had to leave because of an occupation of our city by the Taliban. So many bombs and killings.

In Denmark, we receive medical care, and our daughter, Kosar, gets all the necessary attention.

She suffers from a spastic paralysis named cerebral palsy. Back in Afghanistan there was absolutely no support, and we didn’t receive any medical care for our daughter. I love my child, and I would give my life in the effort of making her everyday normal and her life happy. I would do everything for her.

I hope and pray we can stay. In Denmark, we can build a future together as a family with hopes and dreams. There is no future for us in Afghanistan.«

(By Danial)

MAYDA “I am waiting for the Immigration Service’s decision about my case. I got to Denmark one year ago with my three sons. I worry about our future. I am afraid if Denmark will send us back to Iraq. I cannot eat well and I have had pain in my stomach since my second interview.”

(By Paiwand)

NEW TIMES | WINTER 2016 | ISSUE # 100| PAGE 13

“HUMAN TRAFFICKERS TOLD US TO LEAVE OUR CHILD BEHIND TO DIE”

MY TRAGIC TRIP Read Sarah's own account of her escape from Syria crossing the Mediterranian Sea

Hasan is 34 years old and married to 28-year-old Zahra from the Parwan Province of Afghanistan. With their two daughters they survived a dangerous journey to Denmark

“In 2015 I called my family and asked them to come to Turkey, then I would join them and go to Europe,“ Hasan says. His wife started her journey along with 16 years old disabled Ibrahim, who is Hasan´s younger brother. From Pakistan to Iran they faced thieves which were burning people’s hair with cigarettes. They were kidnapped and had to pay money for releasing them. Finally they were close to the Turkish border. They walked 12 hours on mountains to arrive to Turkey where Hasan´s brother Ibrahim sadly disappeared. He has still not been found up to this day.

They spent six months of waiting. “We left Greece and started traveling towards Macedonia. Here, we spent five days and nights at the border without having even a tent to save our kids from the cold. The human traffickers were recommending me and my wife to either leave or kill my daughter because crossing the border with a child is very difficult. He argued that we are still young and can plan for another when we arrive at our targeted country. They were offering sleeping pills to the kids to keep them quiet. But finally, after five days, we paid money to the police in order to cross the border”, Hasan says.

SEARCH FOR LOST BROTHER

90 HOURS OF WALKING

❚❚By Naseem

When Hasan’s family arrived to Turkey, he asked the coyote (human trafficker) about his brother. The coyote was the one Hasan had paid money to in order for his family to be brought up to Greece. The coyote replied that his brother was arrested by the Iranian Police, but that he would soon be reunited with the family.

They waited for ten days in Turkey for his brother. But he did not show up. Then he decided to leave towards Greece to wait there. On the way to Greece, their boat nearly sank but fortunately they survived.

Hasan kept looking for his brother for another six month, but unfortunately, he hasn’t found any information about him yet.

Crossing the border between Macedonia and Serbia resulted in 90 hours of walking, and again the family faced thieves.

Then from Hungary to Austria, there were a few families who were brought in a kind of container normally used as a fridge.

They couldn’t have enough oxygen in it, and they didn’t see anything on the way to Austria.

Now Hasan and his daughter who is 4 years old have mental issues. They suddenly start crying.

They are disappointed with the Danish Immigration system taking a very long time, but they are hoping for Denmark to offer them a chance for a better life.

❚❚By Sarah There are a lot of people who are struggling to stay alive every day during the war in Syria, with only one question in mind: How can I escape from the death? I will write about my journey, from when I couldn't continue to live in my country, because of the war and the many bloody sights of soldiers, guns, arrestings and killings.

I remember walking to my school when I received a threat.

And do you know why? Because I stayed neutral in the conflict.

It was after this incident we decided to emigrate to a safe country.

Maybe you can imagine the feeling I had when I found myself without anywhere to go.

Without any direction.

TURKEY

We came out of Syria to Lebanon November last year. Hereafter we were transferred to Turkey. I found myself as in the middle of darkness, like in a forest at night. Life didn’t have taste. Even though I felt guilt in this moment, for leaving my country, I had no other choice because of the war. We tried after that to find somebody who could help us pass the sea and take us to Greece, and we actually found someone. After seven days this man called us and told us he was ready to help.

A LARGE NUMBER IN A RUBBER BOAT

Photo: Jon Davis/CC

PAGE 14 | ISSUE # 100 | WINTER 2016 | NEW TIMES

We sat in a van for many hours because what we were doing was illegal and we had to avoid the police. Finally, we found ourself on the beach at 4 o’clock in the morning. There was no sun

when we moved to the rubber boat. I don't want to be a liar, it was very frightening. Especially when I saw how many people were going with us. But what could we do? We knew that it was a bad and insecure situation. If there was any other way, of course, we would not run this risk.

FRIGHTENING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SEA

We started to move away from the beach. No one looked at each other in the boat. All of us felt that we were going to die.

The babies were crying. It was terrible.

After half an hour the boatdriver destroyed the boat and decided to turn back to Turkey.

Nobody understood why. Then the boat started to sink, a lot of people cried and men shouted at each other. In this second I looked at my sister and saw her tremble. I didn't know what to do. I thought for a moment that I should swim, that I needed to try, but my father caught me in this second. No one can imagine this suffering. Everyone was frightened. After two hours a big fishing boat came and saved us from the middle of the sea, and took us back to the Turkish port. When we arrived we found the Turkish police waiting there and they made us wait inside a steamship without blankets and without any food. It was very cold.

PRISON AND DEADLY COLD

If you wanted to have any idea of the feelings in this moment you just had to look at the children's faces. After one hour somebody with us told us that two babies were dead because of the cold weather. After hear-

A rubber boat carrying around 50 migrants and refugees arrives from Bodrum in Turkey to the Greek island of Kos in the early hours of the morning. Human traffickers charge USD/EUR 1,000-1,300 per person for a trip on a small/ medium rubber boat.

(Photo: Christopher Jahn/IFRC)

ing this everyone went silent and passed a long moment of horror. Everybody was in shock.

Nobody understood what had happened and why. All of us had many many questions but no one had the courage to ask the police anything. After six hours they put us in prison. We stayed in the prison for eight days. 100 people. Without blankets. It was cold. It was November. After that they let us try crossing again.

TODAY I'M IN DENMARK

The next crossing was successful. And now I am finally here in Denmark. I hope that I in the future can help other refugees to cross the Mediterranean without the same suffering.

AFRICAN MOTHER ON THE RUN 29-year-old Aesha left Ethiopia when she was fifteen years old fleeing prosecution and death ❚❚By Makmoud Third world countries are dangerous to individuals who seek freedom. In the dictator's dictionary, there is no meaning of freedom and it is tabu and can cost you your life.

In the nineties the ethnic group, the Oromo, started to demonstrate and organise civil decedent to gain recognition by the state. They were even not recognised as citizens of the country. Through the creation of the Oromo Liberation Front, the state retaliated brutally and Aesha’s father was killed, and then her two brothers also killed fighting the regime. She was wanted by the brutal dictator, and that’s why she decided to leave to Sudan.

FLEEING TO SUDAN

Aesha is an Omora minority political activist from Ethiopia.

After the killing of her father and two brothers, she fled to Sudan in 2002. In the capital Khartoum she was organising

demonstrations and theatrical acts to explain the plight of her people. After four years of hard work and activities to explain to the Sudan population the ordeal of the Oromo tribes in Ethiopia, and after repeated attacks by the Sudanese police, destroying the theater they used to perform their political activities, she decided to leave to Libya and then to Europe.

THE DEADLY TRIP TO TRIPOLI

The fate of the group of people she was with, was in the hands of the smugglers who were brutal, violent and gruesome individuals. In the vast desert that connects Sudan with Libya, she saw scenes of broken and abandoned vehicles and abandoned luggage by people who were abandoned by those smugglers. It took her two weeks to reach Tripoli.

FAILED ATTEMPT TO CROSS THE SEA TO EUROPE

In Tripoli after a few months, she found a boat to cross to

Europe, but the attempt failed, and she was arrested by the local police and put into prison for two and a half months. She stayed two years in Tripoli, and then she found a boat to take her to Sicily in Italy. In Italy life was hard, and the Italian government offered no support to asylum seekers: “We lived in the streets and scavenged for our food”, she recalls. In 2010, she fled to Norway. She was pregnant and later, she gave birth to a boy. After the birth of her child, she was sent back to Italy by the Norwegian authorities.

Because of the Dublin convention, asylum seekers cannot apply for asylum in more than one country in Europe.

HARD LIFE FOR A SINGLE MOTHER IN ITALY

Back in Italy, she was offered no support, and she was living on the streets. It was hard to get food and care for her baby, and he was sick as well as herself. She could not bring up her son in such

circumstances. In 2013, she decided to go to Denmark where she was admitted to the hospital for a few days, and a few months later she was sent to the single women center in Kongelunden where she has lived ever since.

OROMIA IN ETHIOPIA

Total population of Ethiopia: 84,320,987 Oromia population: 31,294,992

Source: Wikipedia, July 2012 Estimate.

LIFE IN THE CENTER

Her son is now six years of age and in very good health, he goes to a Danish school and speaks Danish. She is also doing okay apart from thinking too much about her future in Denmark.

She is hoping to get asylum in Denmark. She has no friends in the center to talk to because all the women worry about their own cases. She wakes up at 6.30 to prepare her son to school, breakfast and lunch box. She goes to school to learn Danish. She goes to Kofoeds school for hairdressing course.

Her son returns from school at 16:30, and she prepares his dinner and spends some time with him before putting him to bed early.

After a dangerous escape from Africa, Aesha now hopes for asylum in Denmark (Photo: by Makmoud)

NEW TIMES | WINTER 2016 | ISSUE # 100| PAGE 15

NEW APP HELPS ASYLUM SEEKERS The app AsylumDK guides asylum seekers through the Danish asylum process in a simple way

Hi. I seek asylum in Denmark. Am I allowed to marry my boyfriend who has a (temporary) residence permit in Denmark - or does he need to be a Danish citizen?

1

As a main rule both you and your boyfriend have to have a legal stay to marry in Denmark. Your boyfriend meets this requirement since he has a temporary residence permit. However as an asylum seeker you do not have a legal stay and therefore you will only be allowed to marry your boyfriend, if you meet one of the following requirements: 1. If you have stayed for a very long time in Denmark (at least 3 years) and have a clear attachment to your boyfriend (at least 1,5 years of relationship). It is not a requirement that you have lived together.

If your relationship started before you entered Denmark, this time will be included when assessing the length of your relationship.

2. If you have a child together or are expecting a child together.

3. If either you or your boy-

friend suffer from a severe illness or disability. It must be a very serious physical or psychological illness, and you must be able to present medical documentation.

You can apply for dispensation with reference to one of the abovementioned reasons at the Municipality where either you or your boyfriend live.

2

Hi. I am from Syria. I have been waiting for a reply on my case for more than a year. The lawyer says that the Immigration Service has made a mistake with my file. Why do I have to wait such a long time?

It is difficult for the Danish Refugee Council to give counselling on questions regarding waiting time, because the Danish Refugee Council has no access to cases at the Immigration Service (Udlændingestyrelsen).

2

In general waiting time can have many different reasons. In all cases you can contact the Immigration Service (telephone +45 3536 6600, email us@us.dk or by filling out the contact form on the

PAGE 16 | ISSUE # 100 | WINTER 2016 | NEW TIMES

The new app AsylumDK is intended to give answers to the most important questions regarding the asylum process with images and text guiding asylum seekers through the different steps of the asylum procedure. Asylum seekers can use the app to find answers for various questions regarding the asylum process. Furthermore AsylumDK can also help asylum seekers to be prepared to participate in interviews with the Danish immigrations authorities.

The app is free and can be found by searching for “asylumdk” (screenshot from the app)

In the future the app will be expanded with more langauges (screenshot from the app)

The app describes the different phases of the asylum procedure in Denmark (screenshot from the app)

ASK A LAWYER 1

❚❚By: Emma Heiberg

We sent your questions to the lawyers at the Danish Refugee Council. Here are their replies webpage www.newtodenmark. dk) and ask them about your case. You can either contact the Immigration Service yourself or allow another person to do so by signing a power of attorney allowing another person access to your case.

3

Hi. I am seeking asylum here in Denmark. Is it possible to get family reunification with my family members who are working in another EU country?

3

Family reunification is complex as it has different steps.First it is not possible to get family reunification as an asylum seeker in Denmark. You can only apply for family reunification if you have a residence permit – in your case if you are granted asylum. Second there are three types of residence permits in the Danish Alien Law for people who are granted asylum. The possibility of applying for family reunification is influenced by what type of asylum you are granted.

Third, as a main rule family reunification can only be provided to spouses and cohabiting partners and children below the

age of 18. A residence permit to other family members can only be granted if special reasons apply. Fourth, if you apply for family reunification to family members with a residence permit in another European Country the Immigration Service will have to assess if Denmark or the other European country is responsible for protecting the family life.

Family reunification is complex and all cases will be assessed individually.

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

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.