NT#74

A magazine produced by asylum seekers and immigrants in Denmark > April 2009 > issue # 74

Life as an asylum seeker in Denmark

Project ‘Home Out’: FLYING IN A GOLDEN CAGE P3

Are asylum seekers a burden?

IT’S YOUR MONEY P4 Explosive report from Sandholm: FROM GUNS TO GUNS P8 Family ties: DIVIDED/REUNITED P 16

Montage: Jens Burau, Photos: Ottma, Københavns Universitet, Tivoli

Life as an asylum seeker in Denmark

Editorial

We are pleased once again to be able to launch an issue of New Times, the magazine written by asylum seekers and ex-asylum seekers in Denmark on themes and aspects of asylumrelated matters.

With this issue we focus on how the Danish asylum system is seen by the people who live in it.

The New Times journalists have passed the microphone to other asylum seekers to tell their stories and about their experiences. We take a look at how different barriers and hardships as well as rights and opportunities provided by the system are experienced by the people who are in the system.

This issue is a snapshot of different aspects of life of asylum seekers in Denmark.

Articles and interviews describe the financial situation for asylum seekers and the wish to work. Other articles focus on the family reunification situation for asylum seekers and others again on experiences with educational opportunities. You can also read stories about daily life in the asylum centres or in a house of one’s own or learn more about unaccompanied minors and the volunteers who represent them.

The journalists at New Times have worked together with international students at DIS (Danish Insti-

tute for Study Abroad) to create this issue. The cooperation has provided an opportunity for two groups of migrants in Denmark to get to know each other and exchange knowledge and experiences on different aspects of global migration.

If you have comments or questions about what you have read in this issue of New Times, click into the forum on www.newtimes.dk and add your opinion to the debates on asylum related matters.

Spring 2009 Karen-Inger Thorsen Editor-in-Chief

HELP:

ASIG: Asylum Seekers Information Group Part of New Times' work is to provide information face to face.

In the next issue of New Times advisers at Dansk Flygtningehjælp will answer your questions about asylum and the law. Send your questions to New Times, Danish Red Cross Asylum Department, H. C. Ørstedsvej 47, 1. sal, 1879 Frederiksberg C - or email us at: newtimesdk@gmail.com please feel free to ask your questions anonymously.

In the meantime, here are a few organisations and institutions where you can get advice and information regarding your situation. n Copenhagen Legal Aid Stormgade 20, 1. sal 1555 København V Phone 33 11 06 78 Monday-Thursday from 18:30 - 21.00 Friday from 18:30-20.00 Legal councelling begins at 19:00

You can book ASIG, the Asylum Seekers Information Group for presentations and discussions on asylum life – to take place at your school, organisation or place of work. Contact newtimesdk@gmail.com.

Published by: The Red Cross Asylum Department Editorial Office: Danish Red Cross Asylum Department H. C. Ørstedsvej 47 DK-1879 Frederiksberg C Denmark Email: newtimesdk@gmail.com www.newtimes.dk Tel: +45 2334 5887 Editor-in-chief: Karen-Inger Thorsen Coordinator: Patricia Brander Editorial assistant: Ole Jeppesen

newtimes · April 2009

Staff: Ahmed, Ajmal, Akram, Ali, Borys, Farnam, Hashan, James, John, Kaosar, Katz, Manoucher, Nabil, Nabila, Nezal, Otman, Said, Wafic, Zenzo, Ziad

Moritz, Dana Opas, Daniela Ortiz-Bahamonde, Maya Perez-White, Rachel Porter, Stephanie Quainoo, Laura Rosenberg, Amira Shulman-Kumin, Hillary Sorin, Roger Strang, Joshua Wood, Shea Zwerver

Volunteers: Abdulrhmann Bahaziq, Sarah Louise Madsen, Natasa Pokupcic

Translation and editing: Patricia Brander, Ole Jeppesen, Natasa Pokupcic

The following students from Danish Institute for Study Abroad (DIS) contributed to writing this edition of New Times: Emily Arent, Kristen Barngrover, Sarah Brown, Allison Bryk, Priscilla Bustamante, Kerry Cahill, Edward Chang, Alanna Dick, Margaret Engesser, Nathaniel Freeman, Lindsey Frost, Kate Goodman, Genevieve Gruss, Aunaleah Husted, Jacqueline Johnson, Jason Joseph, Lisa Kass, Whitney Kinsey, Megan Lahr, Martha Larson, Sarah Levy, Lauren Lowinger, Camille Manganello, Ana Marquez, Colin Mcgeough, Mary

Correspondent from Brovst asylum centre: Cyprien Contacts at Danish Institute for Study Abroad (DIS): Amberle Fant, Jakob Lindgaard, Hugh Wing Layout: Jens Burau (supergreen.dk) Printed by: OTMAvistryk

n Danish Refugee Council Legal Councelling Unit Asylum Department Borgergade 10 Postbox 53 1002 København K www.flygtingehjælp.dk Email: advice@drc.dk Free legal counselling at Wednes-

Distributed free of charge to: Danish Asylum Centres, ministries, members of the Danish Parliament, public libraries, asylum and human rights organisations, NGOs, media and individuals in Denmark and abroad.

Subscription: If you would like to subscribe to New Times and receive copies by post, please send an email to newtimesdk@gmail.com. There is no charge, subscriptions are free.

ASIG: You can book ASIG, the Asylum Seekers Information Group for presentations and discussions on asylum life – to take place at your school or place of work.

Contact newtimesdk@gmail.com.

Support: This issue is supported by the Ministry of Refugee,

days from 13:00 – 15:00.

You need to present your questions in Danish or English. n Rehabilitation and Research Center for Torture Victims Borgergade 13 PO Box 2107 1014 København K Tlf. 33 76 06 00 E-mail: rct@rct.dk n Amnesty International Gammeltorv 8, 5 sal 1457 København K Tlf: 33 45 65 65 E-mail: amnesty@amnesty.dk n Psycho Trauma Center Danish Red Cross Asylum Department Visit address: H.C. Ørstedsvej 47, 1.

1879 Frederiksberg C tlf. 35 27 87 09 fax 35 27 87 21 Find more information about the organisations and institutions and Mohammad’s guide ’Goal: To stay in Denmark’ - at www.newtimes.dk

Immigration and Integration Affairs with a special contribution for printing and launch by DIS. The opinions expressed are those of the authors and the persons interviewed. DRC cannot be held responsible for any other opinions. All contributions are very welcome from readers and others who take an interest in the issue of asylum and human rights.

The Editorial Board reserves the right to edit these materials according to editorial and space considerations. This publication is based on the Red Cross principles of humanity, independence, impar- tiality, neutrality, voluntarism, universality and unity.

ISSN: 1397 6877

Flying In a Golden Cage

Three years ago, the voices of people in the Danish Society rose up to lessen the hardships of those asylum seekers who have been living in asylum centres for a long time. Discussions started in the Danish Parliament about how to improve the living conditions, especially for the children.

By Nezal The asylum system and the long waiting periods became ‘hot stuff’ during the Parliamentary election in 2007. The ‘Home Out’ project was established as a result. New Times interviewed Kasper Koch, project worker in Danish Red Cross Asylum Department: ”The Danish Prime Minister at the time, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, announced an election and suggested this project as a solution to some of the problems of the rejected asylum seekers (who can’t be sent home, Ed.). At the beginning 30 families were invited to move into their own houses but only 16 families accepted the offer. The conditions were clear: families must have been living in an asylum centre for at least 5–6 years, they must have children under 18 years of age and they must be from either Iraq, Iran or Somalia,” said Kasper Koch.

No more living in one room next to 400 other asylum seekers. In that room you eat, drink, sleep, cry, cry, cry, laugh, bring guests, watch TV, think. You only go outside for the WC or a bath – and of course you must wait for your turn! And there is also a kitchen shared with many people and you must be very careful and wise not to make quarrel with somebody because all the people who live there are under pressure and not in a good mood.

Also there is a big sleeping problem because you never know when somebody will pass near your room and make noises and you will wake up. You must be calm and say nothing because this is a camp. In other words: this is not a place for relaxation.

When somebody gives you a house, then you get rid of all these problems.

You get a new life, relaxation and safety - but alas, only a temporary relaxation, a temporary safety.

The advantages The Home Out project was, and still is, a great achievement for the participants. Even though it does not solve all the problems, nobody can ignore what big a relief it is to these families. Those long years of daily madness of living in the asylum centres disappeared - just like that.

Majid’s family This family is one of the 16 families who joined the project. They come from Iraq and they have been in Denmark for 10 years. New Times interviewed the mother about being a part of the Home Out project. ”Of course I’m happy because we got rid of the camp. It is really a

miserable place to live - especially for our children. During the last days in the camp I nearly gave up and I felt like I was tied up. When we were offered these houses I felt like they gave me two wings to fly. But after living here these months I have discovered that I am flying in a cage!

Everything is still temporary, nothing is stable, no secure base to start life in, no school, no work,” she said.

On the outskirts Another disadvantage of the project is that the houses are situated far away from the asylum centres. That is a problem because the families have to visit the asylum centres regarding many matters: collecting mail, going to the doctor and registering with the police. The people who are from Iran or Somalia must show up in person at the police office twice a week. It takes a long time to get to the centres only to say ”Hello, here I am” to the police. This takes maybe 3 or 4 hours every time.

The impact on the young New Times met Nadia, 18, from Iraqi Kurdistan. She has been in Denmark with her family for 10 years. ”I am happy. When I came to Denmark I was only 8 years old. I didn’t remember Iraq well. I spent these past 10 years in the camp and

it is a very miserable place. I feel ashamed about it (I can see the tears in her eyes). Nowadays I can bring my Danish friends to my house and be proud that I am also a human being and also have a house like ordinary people. Whenever I want to sleep I can sleep. It is not a camp, it is our personal house. I wear anything I like to wear. I am free in my house,” Nadia said.

A second young person New Times met is Deyar, 19, from Iran.

He arrived here 9 years ago along with his brother and his mother.

“You get a new life, relaxation and safety but alas, only a temporary relaxation, a temporary safety.” ”I am very happy here. I came to Denmark when I was only 10 years old and this is the first year I think that I live like a human being.

Thank you, thank you very much for this project. We hope to have the

opportunity to prove that we are not a burden. By giving us these houses authorities have shown us understanding and compassion. Please, now give us the right to have a basic, decent future. When we came we were children and now we are young men. We are like plants and need good soil, light and water to grow up, on stony ground we will die. We are now looking forward in anticipation for the next great gesture - giving us residence permission,” Deyar said.

Possible improvements Psychologist, Dea Seidenfaden from the Danish Red Cross Asylum Department is conducting a study of the project’s consequences for the participating families. The study is not completed yet so Dea Seidenfaden finds it difficult to conclude anything precise at this point. ”I’m not totally sure yet if it’s a success or not. I need more time to finish the study, but it seems that for the children it is better to live outside the camp,” she said.

The study also gives ideas for improving the project in the future: ”It could be relevant to offer bus cards for the families, so that they can travel in a wider area far away from their houses and hereby participate in the community. It is also important consider if something could be done to improve access to activities like fitness, swimming and libraries in local communities,” she suggested.

Joint meeting On the 14th of March 2009 all the people who live in these houses were invited to a meeting at Danish Red Cross House in Frederiksberg. At the meeting, Niels - an university student who has followed the project - said: ”In my opinion the Immigration Service opened only one door for you and that was to live in these houses.

The other doors remain closed. The law says that you have no right to work or to travel and you have no right to go to Danish classes because you are in phase 3,” he said.

Yes my dears who live in these houses: there is only one door open and that is the door of your houses.

Go inside, lock that door and fly in a golden cage. After all these years of waiting, what will happen to a bird flying in a cage for a long time?

What about a human being?

At the end of the meeting all the people there agreed that living in a tent having a positive [having a positive decision on the asylum application, Ed.] and have a normal active life would be better than living in these houses but without any documents and being only a number like 135.111.111 or 136.222.222.

newtimes · April 2009

Abdoolah’s point:

OPINION

It’s your money Each asylum seeker costs the Danish tax payers 222.400 DKK each year. Why not let them work, contribute to society and pay their own taxes?

By Hashan Many asylum seekers arrive in Denmark with valuable qualifications, skills and relevant work experience to offer. An asylum seeker can wait anything from months to years while their application is being processed.

The Danish Immigration Service is aiming to reduce the “Asylumtime taken to reach a final decision to 150 seekers are days, but it is often now a group of much longer and leaves a significant people singled period of time durout by the state ing which people are often separated from as legitimate their families, isolattargets for a ed by language, and not able to work. [selective] This often leaves hostility to individuals feeling disenfranchised, with strangers” little or no opportunity to contribute to the society in which they live, and does nothing to equip them for a return to their country of origin in the case of a negative decision on their case. Giving asylum seekers the right to work will not only facilitate their (re)integration, but will also make them feel more motivated and empowered and prevent the decline into depression that marks so many long-term asylum seekers.

Dependency relationship The lack of gainful employment creates a situation of dependence where asylum seekers are forced to rely on state welfare or support from other organisations (e.g. NGOs), which means high costs for the host country. This can contribute to negative public opinion towards asylum seek-

newtimes · April 2009

ers and discrimination against them.

The cost to the state regarding asylum seekers in 2008 is expected to total DKK 340.4 million. That is the equivalent of approximately DKK 222,400 per asylum seeker for one year's accommodation, medical services, child care, social activities, schooling etc.

If you ask an asylum seeker he/ she they will tell you that asylum seekers should be allowed to work.

In this way they will pay taxes, avoid the temptation to work black and at the same time it will reduce the stresses that come from being excluded from society.

Workers await The around 2000 asylum seekers in Denmark certainly constitute a work force which could make a difference in terms of economic development, particularly when taking into consideration the issue of skills gaps and difficulties in matching supply and demand of labour in certain fields as well as that of an ageing population.

During their application period, it would make good sense if asylum seekers could put their skills to use through gainful employment that would allow them to become self-sufficient and active members of the host community. This would also permit them to attain valuable experience and further develop their skills, which would also be beneficial in their home country in the event of their return.

Institutionalised discrimination To keep asylum seekers the way they do, the Danish government employs an army of bureaucrats and officials who, together with NGOs,

are institutionalising discriminatory practices. Practices such as: isolating people in deprived communities where they are highly visible and unwelcome; incarcerating them in accommodation centres: creating an army of officials and police guards with power over them after singling them out as people without rights; refusing them the right to work while refusing them any benefits; handcuffing, gagging and restraining deportees on aircraft,: this mistreatment of asylum-seekers occurs at the behest of the state.

‘Asylum-seekers’ are now a group of people singled out by the state as legitimate targets for ‘a [selective] hostility to strangers’, which can be seen in the long view as part of the on-going process of nation-building by the Danish Peoples’ Party (Dansk Folkeparti).

The aim of the 1951 UN Convention relating to the Status of Refugees is to secure access to a safe place for all of those who are persecuted. The paradox lies between the individual’s right to seek asylum and the right of the state to refuse entry. The reality is that states penalise those who exercise this right to request asylum by stripping them of all other identities save that of ‘asylum-seeker’, someone without rights, someone to be excluded.

Abdoolah from Iran has been here for 11 years and has a medical-clinical laboratory degree (he finished his education while in Iran). He has lived in 17 centres and he wants to work and be active.

“We have no power of decisions. They make systems, and they never explain it. It’s like the army. You are free but you have no power - you can’t afford to go out. Working black is dangerous for you and the people who hire you. BUT people still do it.

They never let me go to Danish class, and I have been here for 11 years. If they want to give me an answer (the Immigration Service on my case Ed.), it doesn’t matter - I have no energy any more and no hope for the future.

A human is a human but everything [here] is separated.”

misleading: Asylum seekers find themselves at the mercy of an Immigration Service (Udlændigeservice, US) which has been accused of being less than honest by obscuring the facts about peoples’ rights.

On www.Ombudsman.dk you can read that Ombudsman, Hans Gammeltoft-Hansen confirms and criticises this catastrophic flaw of the system, illustrated by the example of how the US has dealt with cases of family reunification. After carefully studying two reports, issued by the US itself, the ombudsman had to conclude that the US does not live up to its role when it comes to advising people on their rights.

“The question is, simply put, whether the authorities have informed and advised the people on their rights for family reunification, following the EU law, in a satisfactory manner. My impression is that the US has failed to do so,” says Hans GammeltoftHansen.

This ‘failure’ entails feeding the public with misleading information on the US’ official website, obscuring peoples’ rights according to the EU law.

Equally severely, he also points out the fact that people have been given wrong information in face-to-face consultations with US employees.

“This is counteractive of good administrative custom and very unfortunate,” he concludes.

By Hashan and Ole

Mixed emotions New Times invited members of Parliament from across the political spectrum to comment on 'Its your money'. The hope is to start a discussion in the Parliament, at the asylum centres and everywhere in between. All political parties were asked. Unfortunately only a few responded.

Johanne Schmidt-Nielsen, Enhedslisten (Unity Party)

Per Clausen, Unity Party

Sophie Hæstorp Andersen, Social Democrats

Ole Hækkerup, Social Democrats

Karsten Lauritzen, Venstre (The Liberal Party)

Denmark treats people, who come to this country seeking help, in an inhumane manner.

We know that sitting in a camp, isolated from the world, with no opportunity to work or educate oneself, will make a person ill.

We know that living in such an insecure situation as asylum seekers do will make a person ill. And still the government continues its inhumane practices. Today we have examples of people, who have been in Sandholm for 11 years. It is catastrophic that a rich country like Denmark treats other human beings this way. Furthermore, it is hard to understand how someone might not see the advantages of letting asylum seekers work and educate themselves. Both the individual and the society as a whole would benefit from this.

I agree that the asylum seekers should be allowed to work.

Not so much for the money, but because they would be included in the Danish society. Come into society, and be included and integrated. It would be good if we could have the asylum seeker period shortened down.

When we have many unemployed in Denmark, many say that the jobs there should be for the unemployed Danes because asylum seekers have money to live off, not much, but some.

Asylum seekers don't have an option and the system is pushing them towards black work.

We have some people who work, but are outside of society.

And this is a very big problem.

We are taking the issue to the government, our influence is not so good [because Unity Party is a small party. Ed.] but we are doing what we can. It has not a high priority for the Danish government; it is difficult to get results.

Already back in 2003, and again in 2007 together with the Radikale Venstre (Radical Liberal Party), the Social Democrats made a proposal to the Folketing [Parliament, Ed.] about allowing asylum seekers to work under normal labour market conditions while their cases are being processed – as long as their cases were not classified as ‘manifestly unfounded’. The proposal had even been given the green light by the Trade Unions.

It is not surprising to me that some [asylum seekers Ed.] are deeply frustrated with the Danish asylum system – especially the tedious processing of asylum cases and the lack of opportunities for getting education, work, and accommodation outside of the centres, in some cases even lack of proper medical care. A strict immigration policy must still be compatible with treating people with dignity and respect.

We believe there is a need for making arrangements so that asylum seekers can work while their cases are being processed. Our proposal for the last election campaign was to allow asylum seekers to work after ½ year, to prevent people from breaking down completely during their long wait, but at the same time omitting those cases that are classified as ‘manifestly unfounded’.

Apart from that, we would like to see something done about the time-frame of the case processing. I am, however, very much in disagreement that the system is basically institutionalized racism. The processing of the individual asylum cases is too slow, granted, but it is very important to look at each case individually. The alternative would be to ignore each individual person’s specific background and to broadly generalize groups of cases, and that would be racist.

The argument of the article is wrong. It paints a picture of the politicians who formed the asylum system as calculating, almost evil people, who only desire to rob the asylum seekers of their rights. The asylum system was actually formed by a great majority within the Folketing, and the purpose of the system is to give asylum seekers controlled conditions and ensure that those who truly are being persecuted can have their cases dealt with promptly.

I find it frustrating that some people view the system like that. As the article shows, we actually spend a lot of money on each asylum seeker, about 220.000 kr per person. The purpose of that money is not to feed NGOs, social workers or cover the costs of administration; the majority of it is spent on education, accommodation, and health care.

I am shamed by the way my country chooses to turn its back on the fact that hundreds of people live undignified lives.

There are people who become ill from staying in Denmark because the conditions are so appalling. Thank goodness there are more and more Danish citizens who realize the cynicism of our government. The Unity Party will do everything in its power to ensure that Denmark will become a country where immigrants will be treated decently.

newtimes · April 2009

VOX POP

The economic crisis is the topic of the moment, so New Times went out to ask people in the street about the economics of keeping asylum seekers. We asked: 1. Do you know how much the average asylum seeker costs Danish tax payers each year? a) 55.250 kroner? b) 170.000 kroner? c) 222.400 kroner?

We told them the correct answer: 222.400 kroner.

2. What do you think about that? Why? 3. Do you think that asylum seekers should contribute to the costs of their keep? How? 4. Danish Red Cross argues that asylum seekers should be allowed to work. What do you think?

Fact: The average asylum seeker costs Danish tax payers 222.400 kr. each year. Danish Red Cross advocates that asylum seekers should be allowed to work. In this way asylum seekers will contribute to society, avoid the temptation to work black and at the same time it will reduce the stresses that come from being excluded from the society.

Ditlev

Ali

Bettina

It’s 222.400 kr.

I think it is a lot of money for the Danish government to spend on asylum seekers. If any are able to provide for themselves, then allow them to do so. The Danish law is shooting itself in the foot.

Yes, they should be allowed to work and make their own money. No one likes to live on other people’s charity. It's about self respect. Denmark should treat people the way we ourselves want to be treated. If you think about it, we have indirectly through military actions caused a lot of the problems in their countries.

I think that asylum seekers should be allowed to work and study. And if they pay taxes they should receive all the same benefits that Danish citizens get.

It's 170.000 kr.

(Right answer: 220.400 kroner) I don’t think that it's much because these people need more help. I used to be one of them so I know how they feel.

I think they should be able to contribute to society. In that way they could be a part of the society and learn the language which is very important.

I think it's a very good idea if they were allowed to work.

I think it's 170.000 kr.

(Right answer: 220.400 kroner) I don’t think this is too much. Of course it costs a lot of money.

It is good idea to give asylum seekers the permission to work.

If they are like doctors or they have higher education then provide them with more training and then we should offer them jobs.

Rie

Lina and Tina

Isn't it 170.000 kr.?

(Right answer: 220.400 kroner) It’s a lot of money but we have to help, so I pay gladly.

I think it will be good idea if they could work here. Not because they have to pay taxes - but to become a part of the community.

170.000 kr.

(Right answer: 220.400 kroner) It’s a lot of money but it’s ok. It is not too much. It is important for Danish people to help them and help them have a better life here in Denmark.

They should be able to work; maybe after a year. First they should have the possibility to learn the language.

Getting along with your room mates

“Hvordan går det habeeb?”

By Cyprien In the asylum centre, communication between residents is the most interesting aspect of all. Most residents are mentally equipped with basic notions of the English and Danish languages and the linguistic trends and needs have lead to the creation of a new lingua franca - a result of necessity rather than from willingness.

This new lingua-franca is systematically structured with a rough combination of terms in such a way that words from Arabic, English, French and Danish are combined to make a complete utterance. I personally and mostly refer to it as an ‘Arabofrancanglodanish’ language.

I know that in the eyes of some Danes this would be like breaking a terrible tabu! But I have to inform them that Arabofrancanglodanish language has small or no influence at all on the Danish language as the

newtimes · April 2009

social interaction with local citizens is almost nil.

Its boundaries are extremely limited so calm down - arabofrancanglodanish won't be a threat to your loved Danish language. To some of you who can’t imagine how such a language could be, well consider the following discussion between three residents: A: Hej! B: Hej, mate!

C: Hvordan går det habeeb?

B: Quoi? Well... I'm det går fint!

Sorry, me forgot! Hvad med dig?

A: Good indeed! I'm fint!

B: Vi ses tomorrow.

C: You too, mange shukran habeeb.

See you i morgen.

A: Merci beaucoup, vi ses!

Support Consultants coming up

By Ole Jeppesen The Danish Red Cross Asylum Department and IT training provider, Microworld have just sent out 14 asylum seekers on a specially tailored course. The goal is that all 14 will complete 12 lessons at Microworld, combined with practical training within the Asylum Department.

Then each one of them will be able to call themselves ‘Support Consultant’. This may lead to a working life as self-employed, for example with an internet café, in hardware sales and support - or as IT support in an organization or company.

Education and Training Supervisor at the Asylum Department, Lars Brügger worked on setting up the collaboration: "I find it amazing that it has become a reality. Earlier, we had a handful of asylum seekers through individual courses at Microworld, but with Support Consultant, we have for the first time created a specially designed education and training course for the target group.

Originally we had 12 places, but the demand for them was enormous that we established two extra. If everything goes as expected and the

budget allows it, we will repeat the course after the summer,” said Lars Brügger.

Eye opener 36-year-old John from Russia is one of the 14 expectant participants. He has been an asylum seeker in Denmark for nine years. Only recently, John became aware of the delights of the IT world: "Before I came to Denmark, I had never had anything to do with computers. Now I love to work with them. I want to know as much as possible about the machines before they take over the world hegemony," laughed John, who sees the three months in school as a step towards a larger goal: "If I learn enough along the way, I would like to work with programming. Support Consultant is the right place to start," he said.

No nonsense Head of the Asylum Department's IT section, Ibrahim El-Khatib, contributed to the design of the practical lessons. He has been a bit tense in the days prior to the premiere: "Yes, I'm excited, but I trust that our participants will pass the course

An early March morning 14 smiling and well-dressed asylum seekers occupied a welcoming learning environment in Copenhagen's North-West District. The plan is that in about three months they will leave with a completed course on their CVs.

with flying colours. They will benefit a lot from it because the teaching is structured in a way that meets both IT novices and those more experienced," said Ibrahim El-Khatib and stressed that Support Consultant may prove to be crucial for the future of the participants: "This scenario is certainly not 'for fun'. The content of the training design is based on what an IT supporter is exposed to in their daily life in an average company.

Microworld know what they are talking about - and what the industry demands. And it's just fantastic that they will help to make an effort for our residents."

A step forward Support Consultant is a very natural evolution of the joint effort with the Asylum Department, said Senior Key Account Manager at Microworld, Gitte Lund: "For some time, Microworld has been responsible for the education of Asylum Department's IT staff, so the leap to include a wider group of asylum seekers was, in reality, not that big. We would like to give rejected as well as non-rejected asylum seekers a worthwhile stay in this country

and try to develop their skills," said Gitte Lund.

An important part of the preparations has been to devise an efficient method to demonstrate to the outside world that the participants have completed this newly-established training programme: "First and foremost our participants get a diploma when they have completed the course. Secondly, we have created a website, www.supportconsultant.dk, which specifies who completed the education, the content of the studies - and that they have learned it from Denmark's largest private IT training provider. This means that in future, participants anywhere in the world can validate that they are Support Consultants," said Gitte Lund.

Positive winds Education and Training Supervisor, Lars Brügger trusts Support Consultant will be the starting point for a genuine change of attitude: "Asylum seekers have a lot to offer. Here are some people who, despite their difficult situation, have the ability and willingness to evolve. Hopefully other companies and educational institutions will see

this group's potential, and that, as a result, we will ultimately be able to arrange other education and training opportunities," said Lars Brügger.

The forthcoming Support Consultant, John from Russia, shares the same expectations: "This is a fantastic opportunity for us because, as asylum seekers, we cannot study entirely as we wish.

The whole scenario is like striking gold, because it gives us an opportunity to be ‘real people’ for a while - and not just one more foreigner."

If everything goes according to Microworld's plan, and everything tends to, then 14 newly hatched Support Consultants will leave school on 19th June. A little bit better equipped for future challenges - regardless of whether the future lies here or there.

If you want to hear more about this and other courses, please contact Lars Brügger: lab@redcross.dk

The opportunity to study Many asylum seekers further their education

By Said H.

while waiting for a ruling on their cases. New

Mohammad tells us that he began studying law at Copenhagen University in February 2009.

Mohammad came to Denmark in June 2008, and applied for asylum.

He has a bachelor degree in Crime and International Human Rights from Lebanon, and wanted to get further education in Denmark.

Now he goes to the university three days a week. At first it was really tough for him to get into the university because he had to struggle a lot to find out how and where to find the right address and right person. He searched a lot in the Internet to find a solution and at last he did it. Mohammad is also doing a job as a volunteer in the Danish Refugee Council some, where he is helping other asylum seeker with their cases.

Times interviewed Mohammad who lived in Avnstrup Centre and studied law.

Transportation Mohammad had to travel all the way from Avnstrup to the university. It used to take him four hours just for transport, to go to the university and come back to Avnstrup. He had to wake up at 5:00 am in the morning

to prepare himself because the first did all the preparatory research: he bus left Avnstrup at 6:26 am. He got his Lebanese certificates rechad to be at the univerognised by the Dansity at 8:15 am which he ish authorities, con“He usually was - but still tacted the University certainly - sometimes he got there and arranged to take late. the TOEFL English proved that All his expenses were language test. He cerhe was covered by Danish Red tainly proved that he serious Cross. Mr. Mohammad was serious about conwas very happy being tinuing his studies, and about an asylum seeker getting that was very imporcontinuing the opportunity to study. tant. The Immigration Now he got the asylum Service pays for the his studies” in Denmark and lives Red Cross’ asylum happily in Hillerød work. This means that on Sjaelland and continthe Red Cross has to ues his study. budget for its expenditure on eduThe message is clear: An asylum cation and training and we have to seeker who has talent and diplomas make some hard decisions about givfrom their own country can get this ing the best opportunities to as many opportunity to study further in their asylum seekers as possible”, Lars skills in Denmark!

Brügger points out.

Well-earned triumph Lars Brügger is the senior education and training adviser in the Red Cross House in Frederiksberg. He comments on Mohammad’s story: “Mohammad really worked hard to get on his course. Obviously we advised and supported him, but he

newtimes · April 2009

FROM GUNS TO GUNS Sandholm centre is placed in the middle of a military exercise area.

New Times visited the centre hoping to find out whether or not the nearby exercises have an impact on the asylum seekers’ daily life.

By: Ahmed Dharbaxo In fact, New Times reportage crew experienced the guns for themselves.

As we began our interviews we suddenly heard intensive gun shots coming from the rear yard of the centre.

After about an hour we heard even louder gun shots, then a short time later the noise increased again, and this time we could hear different automatic gun sounds and continuous firing.

Too often “I live near the military zone and hear guns frequently, 3 or 4 times a week and then nothing for 3 weeks.

We hear firing guns and heavy weapons. Sometimes they start in the night and continue into the day.

Sometimes it is just in the day. Often you can see them – but not always.

The military doesn’t have day or night or weekdays and weekends,” said Abdullah.

Rikke, who is employed in the Sandholm Job Centre, has during the past five months experienced the military practices twice, as far as she can remember. She said: “I don’t know if it occurs more often at the weekends. But it was twice too often. I had heard about the exercises, but even so I was surprised at how violent it was when I actually experienced them. It sounds like a war zone and it is clear that many residents are affected by the situation. The exercises lasted several hours as I remember, they were in the morning.”

Rikke has the impression that the residents don’t know about the exercises until after they have started. As far as she knows they aren’t warned in advance. She said: “Some were really frightened. I also saw children who were clearly affected and frightened. If the residents were warned in advance, it would without a doubt reduce their fears.”

Nightmares “I am very bothered by the noises, and can’t sleep at night for the sounds of the gun shots. I have nightmares that take me back to my childhood during the war in Iraq. I need to take a lot of sleeping pills to be able to sleep” says a young Iraqi man.

“If I would have a choice I wouldn’t stay in this place” says an elderly man, who arrived in Sandholm five days ago. He fled from Congo due to the recent war between the government and the rebels, and does not know where his family is.

Since he arrived he has heard the gun

newtimes · April 2009

shots twice. He said that it does not scare him, but that it reminds him of the situation that he left back home.

A group of four young asylum seekers who share a single room explained that they hear gunshots very often. One of them said that it was the same as in Mogadishu: “I only feel that I am in Europe when I go out of this centre and get to Copenhagen. We hear bombs, gunshots, heavy shooting. The noises come from the front and from the back, like we’re surrounded”.

A mother of two children who has lived for some time in the last line of the family blocks assured us that the sound does not bother her.

She said: “I am just worried for my children who become a bit scared when there is exhaustive training.” She complained about the use of such loud and noisy weapon within close proximity to the civilian centre where asylum seeker families reside and concluded: “If I would know when they fire, I would be ready and put some cotton wool into the ears of my two beloved young children”.

No problem New Times went to Sandholm Kindergarten and interviewed Susanne, the head teacher who has been working with children aged 2-6 years for 17 years: “The military exercises just outside here, but it’s not really a problem. The children don’t react, but if they do, we explain to them that it’s nothing serious. We try to turn it into a game. Years ago, some children that came straight from the war in Chechnya, got very scared by the helicopters. One young Afghani boy used to jump and hide underneath the table. But we explain to the children that it’s just soldiers playing a game, and we take the children outside to wave to the helicopters. Most of them are so young; they haven’t had any bad experiences themselves.

So if we adults stay calm and don’t react frightened, the children also feel safe,” she said.

Sometimes, when the military practice does get too loud and within close range, they ask the chief of the centre to talk to the military about it. Then, for a couple of days, the military do relocate their exercises a bit farther away. But after a short while, they tend to ‘forget’ about the arrangement, and they come back.

Why Sandholm?

In the light of our investigations, New Times asked the Immigration

“I have just escaped from guns in Rwanda and now I am shocked when I hear guns here” - Jumale Service some questions. We asked if they are aware that some asylum seekers and their families may be traumatized by the close presence of the military doing exercises and, if so, how is it that those asylum seekers are placed near a military training area? If people feel uncomfortable with gunshots, do they have the right to ask for a transfer? If so, who should they ask?

The following statements are from Mr. Thomas Mortensen, head of the office that has the overall responsibility for the management of the asylum centres: ”In 1985, the abandoned military barrack Sandholm was initially leased by the authorities to provide shelter for a vast number of asylum seekers. Until 1985, where the asylum seekers were accommodated was rather random. We have never been in a situation where the authorities could pick and chose location and it has always been necessary to take what was available and suitable. Later The Danish Immigration Service took over the Sandholm Centre”.

Wide scope ”The advantage was - and still is - that this centre has a large capacity and it still is the largest of the centres.

At the same time it's to great practical advantage for the asylum seekers living there - and quite unique actually - that The Danish Immigration Service, the police and the Danish Red Cross (Ed: asylum department administration) are present at the location.” ”According to our information from the Danish Red Cross, […] the number of military exercises has declined considerably over the years.

In later years, the military activity is noted to be extremely limited; typically three or four shots are fired for an occasional drill. According to our information the Danish Red Cross has never received a single complaint from the asylum seekers because of military drills.” ”The law lays down the general conditions for the accommodation of the asylum seekers […]. Within these general conditions, it is possible for The Danish Immigration

Service to meet individual wishes, i.e. from families with children or from individuals who apply for private accommodation,” Mr. Thomas Mortensen concludes.

Informing the residents Eva, who facilitates the introduction course for the newly arrived asylum seekers, said: “I can tell you that Immigration Service, who give introduction about the accommodation for asylum seekers in Denmark for two lessons on the course, does tell about the military area around Sandholm and of course what to expect from that fact.”

Since last year they have changed the last four lessons, and there, among other things, they explain about the military exercises around Sandholm. Eva continued: “I have never met students at the course who were frightened about the shooting. Once the military started their shooting exercises at the same time as the class took place, and the students’ reaction was that they got worried about my wellbeing, because as they said that they were used to it; and they were very much aware that it was exercises, because they knew that Denmark is a peaceful country. For the last half year the number of new asylum seekers in Sandholm has increased which may cause a delay in their participation in the course for up to 5 or 6 weeks after their arrival, so I don't think the information at the course can stand alone.”

Eva is also the editor of the Info Channel in Sandholm. She ensured New Times that she and the manager of Sandholm will consider putting up some information about the subject on the channel, which will make it possible for residents to watch the Info Channel in the cafeteria, the waiting room and in their rooms, if they have a television. Then, the residents will be able to read about the possibility of military exercises from their very first day at Sandholm.

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ALONE TOGETHER 10

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11

A fence or a brick wall?

Asylum seekers in Denmark live in asylum centres and have limited opportunities to meet the Danish people. Thus there are both physical and psychological barriers between the refugees and society. New Times asked two asylum seekers what this barrier looked like to them: is it a low hedge you can jump over or a high brick wall?

Up against the language barrier Sultan Ali, an Afghan citizen arrived in Denmark six months ago along with his wife and 4 children.

The youngest baby was born in Denmark.

They live in a 2 room flat in centre Avnstrup.

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By Ajmal Sultan Ali describes the barriers that he experiences every day: "The asylum seekers like me are not allowed to work out of the camp and study the Danish language, both of which have an important role to enable us to be in touch with the society. Secondly we are too far from the markets.

That means a 35 minutes bus drive even though we only want basic needs. I would like to ask the government to place the families closer to the cities."

When he was asked if he would like to go out more and be in touch

with Danish society he said: "I would surely like to go out in the society to keep myself busy doing some kind of work for the people of the country since the respected Ministry of Refugees, Immigration and Integration and the Red Cross is doing so much for us and we might get the asylum in the future, if we deserve the asylum based on our problems."

Danish, please Sultan Ali has another suggestion for the politicians: "I would kindly request the Ministry of Immigration to provide Danish language lessons beside English

as well, and I am requesting this because it normally takes a long time to finalize the individual asylum cases. During this time we need to go out to the society for various purposes i.e. to the hospital, to clinics, and to school, and for that we need to have translators as well," he continues.

"My kids help me sometimes to go out and be in touch with the parents of this society especially in school and again I want to mention the need of the Danish language and how the language is important to us for communication."

But sometimes even the desire to communicate outwardly disappears:

"Not only my children, but all the children here feel so depressed and most of the time ask, ‘when will we go out of this place and have our own house out of the camp’," Sultan Ali concludes.

Epilogue: Sultan Ali’s wife and the four children were deported to Greece on April 2nd. Sultan Ali has gone underground.

Fact: Alan Pary is a Christian Kurd from Northern Iraq. In 1999 he wrote and published a collection of poems about women and love. After that both he and his family were persecuted and forced to flee to Denmark.

In 2007 Alan Pary became member of the Danish branch of International Pen, an organization that helps writers who have been forced to flee from their homelands and become refugees in different parts of the world.

Alan wrote his way through the fence Alan Pary was born 2nd February 1979 in Kurdistan. But Denmark has been his home since 1999 and it is just five months ago that he was granted asylum. Now he looks back at the past ten years. Ten years of waiting - and writing.

In 2008 Alan Pary’s life in the Danish asylum centres was transformed into theatre by Danish Pen writer Michael Svennevig. The play was called ‘Hegn’ (Danish for ‘Fence’ Ed.) and was staged at ‘Teatret ved Sorte Hest’, Copenhagen.

By Nabil had difficult days and experienced "It is too difficult to be living in a things that didn’t work out as he camp for ten years with no future wanted. For instance he wanted to and not knowing the outcome. That study and to work: is why I decided to use the time to "I had the whole world to gain, improve myself, and I chose the road but I am a refugee. I ran far away of writing. Writing from my country. meant that I did not I was looking for a “Every indilose hope. I tried my small place to hide, best to learn the lanbut then I realized that vidual has to guage and to be intethis place was not the make the best grated, to be a useful place I had dreamed person to this counof the situation of.” try - and to myself. and look to the Words are medicine That’s the kind of future outside faith I had – and still Alan decided to try have, to not lose the hard and he depended the walls.” hope of better days," on his writing to stay Alan says. sane, instead of doing Despite this Alan violent and unpredictstill felt the fence around him. He too able things as can happen to many

people.

“My poems were a guide for me, a means to give myself the hope to get the strength to keep on. After the darkness, comes the dawn. There is always a way. In time, things change and that’s what I was telling my friends. Don’t lose hope, there is always a door, and have the faith to get into the light. Its good to know that although all of the darkness makes you feel that you are losing your last grip on life - you are still holding on to a ray of hope."

change better than others. But, every individual has to make the best of the situation and look to the future outside the walls. In your mind you can plan things and decide for things.

You have to gain trust of the people and find ways to ‘jump over’. You can touch the minds of the people by talking to them about your problems.

In my experience it had an effect on a lot of people: I got people to criticize the system and I gained their trust so they gave me a hand to jump over the fence and face my life."

Alan’s fence Alan describes the fence like this: “You are in a different country and different environment, and so many things are different in many ways. Some people tolerate the

Psychological death Alan Pary thinks that the system is broken and inhumane in some cases.

That the fence is killing people by what it does to them psychologically:

“You see, we were on our way from our lands, afraid to be killed, now people are dying psychologically - in the same way - here in these camps. I think the system is building this wall between us, but I still say ‘you have to be strong’.

Think all the time that you are one of the society. Do whatever you can to go out to meet the people. Denmark is a democratic nation and the media is one of the best tools to get to the people, to make people understand your problem, to talk about your problem and your case. There are lots of people out there, they care and they want to give you a hand to break this fence in between them and us."

Just do it... and kiss me Kiss me Before it’s too late Kiss me To end war Kiss me So I can be a flame against the clouds And dance lightly on the earth Kiss me Because we must learn to kiss each other and forgive Kiss me and make me happy Come with your red lips And smile … smile … smile Because your smile calms the world Kiss me Because there are some who hate kisses Alan Pary Translated from Danish

by Patricia

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At the minors' service Life as an unaccompanied minor asylum seeker is a big challenge.

The volunteers on the Representative Programme lend a helping hand to guide the young people through their cases and support them through this tough period of their life.

By Borys The representatives of asylum seekers under 18 years (minors) in Denmark are there to serve the interests of the minors. They help the young people in the process of claiming asylum. They have to check if the minor is OK during the several interviews that the minor has to go through, for example, make sure that the young person can understand the translator who has been allocated and ask for breaks if the proceedings are very lengthy.

Furthermore the representative can help the minor with personal issues, and can also become like a family member, a good uncle, an aunt or a good friend. There can develop a strong bond between them.

Personnel shortage The programme is co-ordinated from the Head Office by Anne Sander.

"In Denmark at the present time there are almost 110 minor asylum seekers. And we have 81 volunteer representatives, so we still need more. We would like to encourage people who want to support these minor asylum seekers, to come and

“We would like to encourage people who want to support these minor asylum seekers, to come and help.”

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help. Without this programme there would not be this one-to-one personal connection. It would be harder for the minors to learn more about their rights and Danish society - and no one would encourage them through their cases," says Anne Sander who believes that people become representatives of two reasons: "Either they have heard about these minor asylum seekers and want to help them - or they simply disagree with the government’s politics about the asylum system, especially the policies for minor asylum seekers."

The commitment According to some minors that New Times has talked to at Centre Gribskov, some representatives are really helpful and really care about them. But there are also others who only show up to talk about the next

meeting with the authorities. This shows that there is a difference in the representatives' commitment to the minors. Anne Sander recognises this and explains: "The thing is that sometimes, when the case is very complex, we attach a professional ‘legal guardian’, that is, a non-volunteer. These legal guardians mainly concentrate on the case. I wish that we could offer every minor a very empathetic representative."

Jealousy Some representatives are more, and some are, less emotionally involved.

For example, some representatives visit their ‘child’ regularly or may arrange special activities, visits or outings, while others stick more strictly to the legal matters relating to the child’s case. This can result in some kind of jealousy between

A representative’s view Birthe Hagelund is the representative for a young boy from Afghanistan. She explained why she became a representative. ”I decided to be a representative for an unaccompanied asylum seeker because I have read about the situation of these children in newspapers. Also to help them to get through the situation, to support them during the process of getting the asylum,” said Birthe.

She found it very interesting to learn how it is to be an asylum seeker, about their feelings and their history – and equally important: “I think it is very necessary work, the young people need someone to share their problems with. But you use a lot of time – physically and mentally – and what has surprised me is that it is difficult to stop when you have got to know a person; you end up following the person through their life. My child got positive and I have found out that it is nearly as difficult to have residence as it is to be an asylum seeker,” she said.

the minors, particularly because they are vulnerable, they are often tense and it's really hard for them to live without their parents. Anne Sander fully understands this issue: "I know about this jealousy, but all we can do is to ask the representatives to commit as much as possible to the task. Because it is a voluntary effort we cannot demand the extra commitment. But it is very important that the minors themselves suggest activities or ask for a more personal talk, if they need it. They are always welcome to do that," Anne emphasises.

Anne Sander will now, together with the writer of this article, begin working on a multi-lingual information folder about the representative programme. In this way all minors will know what to expect from the representatives - and what they should ask for if needed.

Fact: Any adult can apply to be a representative.

You have to be interviewed, undergo a police check and then be appointed by the Immigration Service. You do not have to be a Danish citizen, just resident and living on Zealand within reach of the children’s centres near Hillerød.

You have to be able to be able to read, write and communicate in Danish at a level to be able to read the documents relating to the case and to communicate with the authorities. Note: there are several non-native Danish speakers in the team.

For more information about the Representative Programme contact: Anne Sander asa@redcross.dk

By Team New Times Growing up, he wanted to be a doctor. He left Rwanda in his last year of secondary school, just before taking the mandatory national exams.

Upon arriving in Denmark, Bernard hoped to start attending university.

However, for now and until he learns sufficient Danish, he cannot attend ‘normal’ school and must take class-

police to be documented as an asylum seeker and to share the details of his story. Bernard fears the police because he was treated poorly by police in Rwanda — thus his first interview made him very uncomfortable. His interview with the Immigration Service has yet to be scheduled. He is not sure when this interview will be; he has friends who have been waiting for as long

Bernard’s story

Bernard* is a 17-year-old asylum seeker from Rwanda. He arrived in Denmark — unaccompanied by his family — in December 2008.

Bernard’s highest priority when leaving Rwanda was to escape persecution and to lead a normal, secure life. es at the asylum centre.

Bernard left Rwanda because he was being persecuted. Bernard felt very insecure in his country as he had been imprisoned several times. The last time he was detained, his mother was imprisoned as well. When she was released she sent someone to help him flee the country. Bernard did not know this man, nor did he know where he was being taken.

The unidentified escort handled all of the passports and paperwork and Bernard travelled on a plane to, what he later learned, was Denmark. Upon arriving in Denmark, Bernard spent one night at the Sandholm Accommodation Centre and was then transported to Gribskov, an asylum centre for minors.

Fearing the police Bernard had an interview with the

as 8 months.

Many unaccompanied minors have to go through an ‘examination of age’ to establish their status as youth. The doctor who performed his examination believes that Bernard is 19 and therefore the immigration authorities now want documentation from Rwanda to prove that he is in fact 17. Bernard is worried about this because he describes Rwanda as “a very small country” in which everyone knows each other.

It is probable that the police know that he has left the country and are looking for him. Contacting his mother for birth certificates or other legal papers would therefore be very dangerous for Bernard, and especially for his mother. He may be able to contact her through a friend, but this too would be risky.

He believes it is possible that phone

lines are tapped and that the police are watching phone records for international calls.

Futuristic thoughts Another challenge that Bernard has faced is learning the Danish language. If he is granted asylum, he knows that improving his Danish skills will be vital for succeeding in any university in the country. Bernard speaks English and French and it might therefore be easier for him to study elsewhere in Europe, but Bernard says that in reality it is much better to remain in Denmark to begin getting integrated.

Although he did not originally plan on a future in Denmark, Bernard feels he should stay here because he fears that he would be persecuted in Rwanda if he ever returned. He will turn 18 in six months. If he is granted asylum, he would like to complete his secondary education and then study medicine at the University of Copenhagen. However, there are still a few aspects of Danish life that he is learning how to cope with— including the weather. Bernard asks: “Am I in the fridge, or what?” * A pseudonym

Fact: n In Denmark, an unaccompanied minor is defined as a person under 18 years of age, who enters the country without parents or other persons who are responsible for the child, e.g. siblings or grandparents.

Also children who enter the country accompanied, but who are later abandoned, are treated as unaccompanied. n In 2008, 297 unaccompanied minors made asylum applications in Denmark. This is almost three times as many as came in 2007. The majority came from Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran and Sri Lanka. n All children can apply for asylum in Denmark. As a general rule, unaccompanied children must meet the same conditions as other asylum seekers in order to have their application processed and to be granted asylum. n However, children are considered a particularly vulnerable group, and special guidelines have been devised for processing their cases. As such, asylum applications from children will be processed as quickly as possible, and child applicants will be housed in special accommodation centres with specially trained personnel. n Information source: nyidanmark.dk

We need equipment. Can you help?

Team New Times is in need of laptop computers and digital cameras; a dictaphone or two would also be very handy. If anyone has any such equipment that they no longer need and would consider donating to us, we will put it to very good use.

Please send a mail to newtimesdk@gmail.com. Many thanks.

newtimes · April 2009

15

Divided/Reunited Fleeing their homes, refugees and asylum seekers inevitably become separated from their loved ones; families become divided. The strict Danish laws on reunification are often seen as unreasonable, especially by people with different cultural values.

By Katz and Ziad

Koran says: The dead receive our prayers, charity and reading of the DIVIDED/REUNITED #1 Koran. How do I do this away from Tarek, 55 from Lebanon, lives in my deceased parents?” Tarek asks.

Sandholm asylum centre with his Tarek has also a brother who lives 15 year old son. He has applied for in Denmark with his family. Tarek political asylum in Denmark, but says he is having a traumatizing time has been denied. He is currently living in Denmark without all of appealing his case. He can’t go his family. He wishes to be granted back to Lebanon due to his previous asylum and family reunification in involvement in political order to live close "My daughactivities. When asked to to all his family. As comment on his situaTarek puts it: ters are still tion, Tarek said: "My daughters children and are still children and “If I was sent back to Lebanon, I surely would they look up to me in they look be arrested at the airport many ways". up to me in and I would definitely However, the be killed because I am Danish family reunimany ways" among those who the fication policies don’t government of Lebanon is looking consider anyone above the age of 15 for. The information I have got from to be ‘a child’ and therefore Tarek’s my wife and children who are back daughters are ineligible for family in Lebanon is that they are under reunification. In contrast, the laws constant harassment. The security in Sweden state that family reuniforces keep interrogating my wife fication can, in exceptional cases, every day about my whereabouts.” include children over 18 years old.

Several of Tarek’s family members remain in Lebanon, including his wife and two daughters, ages 17 DIVIDED/REUNITED #2 and 20. They depend on Tarek, as Paul, 28 from Uganda, lives in head of the family, for financial and Avnstrup asylum centre here in Denemotional support. mark. Paul left his country, to be reunited with his mother, two sisters Culture and religion and brother who live in Denmark.

However, he also has a special The rest of his family have managed attachment to Denmark because his to be reunited with their mother, who parents, who previously fled from was granted asylum in Denmark in Lebanon to Denmark, are buried in May 2000.

Copenhagen.

At that time, the Danish poli“I just don’t understand how I cies on family reunification allowed can leave a country where both my children under the age of 18 to be parents lay buried; it is like denying re-united with their parents; in this my ancestry, which also goes against case, the two sisters ages 16 and 17, my cultural and religious values. The along with their brother who was 14

at the time, qualified to be reunited with their mother. This policy did not extend to Paul because he was already 20 by then.

Deadly spells Now Paul has fled Uganda because his life is in danger. Being the first born to his father, who is currently married to another wife, he is the rightful heir to his family’s wealth and property. However, Paul’s father’s new wife is bewitching him in order to gain the wealth for herself. The spells on him were having strong negative effects on his life.

In African culture, it is believed that spells are more powerful when the person sending the spell is in closer proximity to the victim. Julie, Paul’s sister, says: “My brother’s life is being threatened. So being away from Uganda and in a country where he has other close family members makes Paul have a sense of emotional and physiological security.”

Paul has been denied asylum and cannot be reunited with his family in Denmark. Although in African culture a child is still a child until the parents die, the Danish asylum laws don’t present a solution for people like Paul whose lives are in social and psychological, rather than political, danger.

No doubt A close friend of Paul's, also from Uganda, says: “Surely when you spend enough time with him, you will realize that he has been affected by a spell. His mind is unstable and his actions prove for sure he has been bewitched.”

When asked what she thought might happen if Paul was sent back to Uganda, Paul's sister Julie said: “He would die, and this would have a long and devastating effect on our mother and all of us. He ought to have the right to live in Denmark and he would get better if he stayed with us here.”

Just to note, the Ugandans have the saying, “spells and demons never board planes”. It simply means that spells work best when the victim is near the person making the spell; the further away one is from them, the smaller the chance one has of being affected by them.

Fact: FAMILY REUNIFICATION If your spouse, registered partner or cohabiting partner lives in Denmark, you can apply for a residence permit on the grounds of family reunification. There are various conditions including: n The applicant must be a Danish citizen or a citizen of one of the other Nordic countries (Norway, Sweden, Finland and Iceland), or n hold a Danish residence permit granted on the grounds of asylum or Protected Status, or n have held a permanent Danish residence permit for the past three years or more. n The applicant must reside permanently in Denmark.

There are various conditions before a child may be reunited with his/her parents including:

WITCHCRAFT: Witchcraft is the use of certain supernatural or magical powers to inflict harm or damage upon communities or individuals. Belief and evidence of this practice is still found in many cultures worldwide. Currently, it is primarily found in sub-Saharan Africa in the Bantu culture, West Africa.

n The child must be under the age of 15 at the time the application is submitted n The child’s parent residing in Denmark (or the parent’s spouse) must meet the residence conditions as above n After the family reunification, the child must live together with his or her parents or a parent who has full or joint custody of the child. n The child must not have started his or her own family through marriage or cohabiting partnership. www.nyidanmark.dk

Inevitable Tears Filled My Eyes Told to Ahmed Dharbaxo DIVIDED/REUNITED #3 It was October, Sunday morning in the heart of Copenhagen, at the Kongens Ny Torv rink, the sunlight was reflecting off the man-made ice for skating. Young people were enjoying the moon-walk on the snow surface.

Children were trying hard to skate.

I was standing at the southern corner of the rink where a father was demonstrating to his two young girls how to do it. His young daughter was falling down often. Sometimes the father himself fell down due to an unbalanced move. Every one of this happy family was laughing and enjoying the fun.

While I was watching this beautiful scene, memories attacked me.

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Leyla and Fatima, my two daughters joined the game. I could see them moving fast on their skates amongst the other children. Leyla was screaming, asking me to join her. A while after I found myself moving on the ice responding her request. After I took few steps, I realised that Leyla and Fatima are not in Denmark. They are suffering in a war-weary home. Inevitable tears filled my eyes. I sat down and prayed to God to safeguard them.

My name is Ali Adam, I am asylum seeker and I have lived in Sandholm centre since 2006. I was rejected and asked to leave Denmark. Because of the war I can not go back home. My wife and children are surviving under dreadful conditions. They cannot join me as I am

not legitimate for protection. Whenever I see a father playing with his children, automatically my dreams take me back home. I wish a day will come that I and my children will play happily in the beautiful gardens of Denmark.

My Country, My History, My Football A new initiative aims to help build a deeper and richer understanding between people from different cultural backgrounds. The means is storytelling; football storytelling.

By Team New Times Ajmal came to Denmark in 2009 seeking Asylum from his home country of Afghanistan. Back home, he played football in a ‘B’ team in an upper level league. It was a fairly large part of his life, and three of his brothers also played football.

He is currently living in an asylum centre in Denmark, while the fate of his asylum application still remains undecided. He is not discouraged, however.

“When you go to a place that you feel safe, you must like it”, says Ajmal.

He is happy to be free from persecution, even if his new country is unfamiliar. Football has aided him greatly in meeting new people and

Ajmal with his ball

getting connected to others in his same position. About playing with other asylum seekers Ajmal says: “If you join a football team, you get to know people naturally”.

His outlook seems bright, despite the uncertainty surrounding his life.

For now, Ajmal is content to meet new people, and make friends where he can. He sums it up best: “Through friendship, you can know other cultures”.

It seems that football indeed has connected many people from all over the globe in a small asylum camp in the middle of Denmark.

Fact: ”My Country, My History, My Football” is a football storytelling project coordinated by CARE – Charlton Athletic Race Equality. A partnership consisting of English football club Charlton, its supporter’s club and Greenwich Council [Greenwich London Borough Council, Ed. ]. n It aims to capture the complex multi-layered nature of the diversity and distinctiveness of individuals from a range of different backgrounds, by exploring the role football has played or plays in their lives. n The project will result in a stunning photographic exhibition of the images taken of each of the participants. A book will also be produced, containing all the images, personal stories and life histories of the participants. n It will help to promote positive relationships between groups and individuals from different cultural backgrounds, by enabling and supporting expressions of both difference and unity. n For more information contact: Matthew Wing The Charlton Athletic Race Equality (CARE) Partnership Email: mycountrymyhistorymyfootball@gmail.com

Sandholm 4 : DIS 3

newtimes · April 2009

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Opinion

Refugees Are People Too..?

- or how different countries treat people differently

By John Refugees are a phenomenon that should not exist in a modern society. Feelings of pain, fear, humiliation and death are always in the wake of those who flee. It is very difficult to explain to someone who has never experienced these feelings.

Places like Yugoslavia, Somalia, Iraq, and Northern Caucasus are all somewhere very far away. Primetime news does not spend more than ten minutes a week on stories from

“We, the asylum seekers wish that you, our Danish hosts, do not get into such a hopeless situation and that God keeps you as far away as possible from the that kind of circumstance.” these parts of the world. Thus, unfortunately, we can not expect people to grasp the plight of somebody who has managed to escape from torture, death and humiliation. Of course in extremely life- threatening situations when the voice of reason is often silent and people yield to instinctual self-preservation, the world does try to provide protection for the refugees.

What if an asylum seeker can neither get protection and freedom in a democratic country by obtaining refugee status nor be sent to a third country or their home land?

The answer is that they became outcasts.

The Convention Relating to the Status of Refugee is accepted by a lot of countries which have thus

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assumed certain obligations. Despite this however, they all have different laws, and therefore differences that are relevant to the refugees.

At first glance it might seem that getting asylum will be a life saved, but this depends, apart from a welcoming attitude to foreigners, on the economic situation in the receiving country, and the sufficient number of openings in the labour market; especially important in today's economic crisis. Otherwise the new refugee faces a dismal future.

Numerical difference The application process for asylum is practically the same in Denmark, Canada, Sweden and Norway; the real difference is in the number of asylum applications and rejected asylum cases. Also, one of the differences is the existence of many legal regulations that differ from one country to another. Naturally, in case of danger a human being runs to the first safe place, not to the place that has the best asylum policy.

The most ideal destination for an asylum seeker would be Canada because it has the most friendly laws and tolerant society. The differences between the Denmark and Canada are based on a number of different factors, for example, the amount of land, the availability of jobs and the willingness to accept diversity in a multicultural society make Canada the ideal choice for asylum seekers; although unrealistic for many of them due to its geographic location.

Denmark, on the other hand is a smaller country, has a more homogenous population than Canada and policies of integration through assimilation into Danish culture.

When seeking asylum in Canada, it is possible to apply for asylum at Canadian embassies, the Canadian border or inside Canada. The same options do not apply for Denmark; here you have to be in the country.

In Canada asylum seekers reliant on welfare can be authorised to work. In Sweden an asylum seeker is allowed to hold an ordinary job if the Migration Board's handling-time

is expected to be longer than four months. The same is possible in Norway with some conditions, but not in Denmark. Here asylum seekers are not allowed to work at all.

Switch of policy Since 2002, the Danish law and the mainstream politics have changed and fewer asylums are granted each year, this means in effect that the chances to gain protection here are minimum, despite the threatening danger or the circumstances that led people to leave their own country. In 2001 the number of asylums granted in Denmark was 6263, by the year 2006 the number was down to 1095.

The number of persons granted refugee status in 2008 was 1246 despite the fact that the total number of refugees in the world is 8.4 million.

Norway and Sweden rank 3rd and 4th by the number of asylum applications per capita, while Denmark ranks 18th.

Furthermore, when presenting their case in Denmark, asylum seekers must prove they are in danger personally; affiliation to the opposition parties, religious or national

minority in their home country is not enough to make the case. On the other hand, in Norway, persecution that particularly affects women and persecution due to sexual orientation may also provide grounds for asylum. Moreover, in Denmark asylum seekers receive legal aid only after they have received the first rejection by the Immigration Service.

The final misery is that after the asylum seeker's case is finally rejected he/she is highly likely to be deported with the help of police and the use of force, regardless of the consequences.

What if it was you being faced with returning to a country from which you were forced to flee?

Refused and overruled Rejected asylum seekers who can not be deported immediately, or those who come from countries with which Denmark does not have a repatriation agreement (Irak, Iran, Somalia and Kosovo), or those whose country abandons or rejects them, live in very difficult circumstances. First their pocket money is reduced, and then they will be put

into one of the departure centres or even in a camp-prison without a certain release date.

We, the asylum seekers wish that you, our Danish hosts, do not get into such a hopeless situation and that God keeps you as far away as possible from the that kind of circumstance. Your fathers and grandfathers who, despite many hurdles, built a democratic and freedom-loving Denmark would be very ashamed of many of you.

I believe every nation has a government which serves and reflects the sentiment of the people. It is difficult to believe that in such an ancient culture and modern democracy, xenophobia, human-misanthropy and nationalist mentality are so prevalent in Denmark in the 21st century.

Just think about it…

Sources: (Sweden) www.migrationsverket.se - (Norway) www. noas.org - (Canada) www.cic.gc.ca - (Denmark) www.nyidanmark.dk - (UNCHR) www.unhcr.org

The Danish Asylum System

Information sources: www.nyidanmark.dk, www.redcross.dk

The system in Denmark.

Every asylum seekers has to go through the asylum system from the beginning of their application up to the granting of asylum or final rejection. See box 1. Note how the process is divided into phases. The different conditions attached to the different phases are summarised in the boxes 2 and 3 below. å The asylum seekers` way through the system: Phase 1

Arrival in Denmark Registering with the police The police check the travel route

*The Dublin Regulation

In 2008 a total of 2,380 people applied for asylum Entry ❚ The immigration police take finger prints, photos, ❚ Filling in asylum application forms ❚ The Immigration Service informs about the asylum procedure ❚ Application for the humanitarian residence permit

in Denmark and 1,441 were granted refugee status. How did they go through the system?

By Kaosar What is an asylum seeker?

An Asylum seeker is a person who has fled from his/her home country and is looking to become a refugee in another country.

A refugee is ‘A person who owing to a well founded fear of being persecuted for reason of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or politi-

cal opinion, is outside the country of his nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country; or who, not having a nationality and being outside the country of his former habitual residence as a result of such events, is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to return to it’.

UN Convention on the Status relating to Refugees, 1951

The Interview with the Immigration service The assessment on the Normal Procedure or Manifestly Unfounded Procedure

Phase 2

The Immigration Service grants asylum Integration 3 year integration programme in the kommune

The conditions.

The conditions for asylum seekers – the accommodation, education and training and financial allowances – are all decided by the government and administrated by the Immigration Service. The role of the Red Cross is to care for the asylum seekers.

Each asylum seeker is allocated either to a reception, accommodation or departure centre, depending on the phase they are in. Most asylum seekers get cash allowances paid every two weeks. The amounts of the allowance vary in different phases and different situations. See box 2 çA summary of 2009 allowances: Phase

What happens and the conditions

1 The authorities decide whether the refugee’s case is to be processed in Denmark.

❚ Live in Sandholm ❚ Basic allowance: DKK 47.35 per day per adult.

Basic allowance is not paid to those living in a centre where there is a cafeteria. ❚ Families get a caregiver allowance ❚ All asylum seekers over the age of 18 can receive a supplementary allowance if they comply with the contract regarding completing necessary tasks and participating in job activation or courses.

DKK 7.90 per day.

2 The application for the asylum is in process

❚ Many live in accommodation centres; others in Sandholm or Kongelunden. ❚ Most cases are processed according to normal procedure. This means that if the application for asylum is rejected, the case is referred to the Refugee Appeals Board which will make the final ruling on the case. ❚ Basic allowance: DKK 47.35 per day per adult. ❚ Caregiver allowance paid ❚ Supplementary allowance: DKK 27.62 per day.

Live in Sandholm or Avnstrup.

Basic allowance: DKK 47.35 per day per adult.

Caregiver allowance paid Supplementary allowance: DKK 7.90 per day.

3 Refugees who have had a final rejection.

Cooperating with repatriation

❚ ❚ ❚ ❚

3 Refugees who have had a final rejection.

Not cooperating with repatriation

❚ Live in Sandholm or Avnstrup. ❚ Asylum seekers receive no allowances. This also applies to families with children. ❚ The 'food allowance' programme : primarily intended for asylum seekers who have received the final rejection and have not left the country by the set deadline, and are refusing to co-operate with the police over departure. ❚ Families with children under the age of 18 receive a so-called child package every 14 days per child, regardless of age. The child package contains fruit, soft drinks and a few sweets.

**Normal Procedure

***Manifestly Unfounded Procedure

The Immigration Service rejects asylum Appeal case Processed by the Refugee Board

****Humanitarian Case Processed by the Ministry of Integration

Phase 3 Final Rejection *****

*The Dublin Regulation: An asylum application can be processed in one EU country only. If an asylum seeker has already been registered with authorities in another EU country, he / she will be sent to that country where his/her application will be processed.

gee Appeals Board, which will make the final ruling in the case.

**Normal Procedure: This means that if the application for asylum is rejected, the case is referred to the Refu-

****Humanitarian Case: A residence permit on humanitarian grounds can be granted to people suffering from a

***Manifestly Unfounded Procedure: The reasons given by the asylum seeker for seeking asylum do not meet the conditions for asylum as listed in the Danish Aliens Act.

serious physical or psychological illness, and families with young children who come from a nation at war. ***** Final Rejection: After the final rejection an asylum seekers must leave the country. If an asylum seeker does not want to cooperate with the authorities, then the Immigration Service may deport them, but not to countries with which Denmark has no repatriation agreement.

Education and training possibilities.

Opportunities for education and training (praktik) are an essential and important part of life for asylum seekers.

They help people to prepare for the future, whether in Denmark or elsewhere. There are also financial implications; every asylum seeker must make a contract to take part in education and training activities in order to get their supplementary allowance. The opportunities offered to people in different phases of their asylum procedure are summarised in Box 3 éAn overview of the possibilities for study and praktik in the different asylum phases in 2009: Internal courses

Internal praktik

External study

External praktik

Voluntary work

Production workshop

E.g. English Computer, W2W courses,

E.g. Kitchen assistant, Cleaning, Assistant, teacher, New Times

E.g. Hairdressing school, Technical college

E.g.

Mechanic, tailor

E.g.

In an NGO

E.g. Sewing curtains,

no

yes

no

no

no

no

2

yes **

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

3

yes **

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes, but not Danish

yes

yes

no

no

no

Phase

1*

Internal courses

Introduction course

(cooperating with the authorities)

3 (not cooperating with the authorities)

* After 3 months they have the same opportunities as asylum seekers in phase 2. **May learn Danish only if relevant to external praktik.

newtimes · April 2009

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Creative page

Merna Samir Alhozy is 20 years old and has recently been granted asylum. She, together with her mother and younger sister, used to be one of the 364 rejected asylum Iraqi seekers who are in the so-called ‘return situation’. She wrote this poem during this period.

New Times is proud to present a new feature: a creative page to

My heart is still Far away I hear life shouting I call out: where are you?

But your source has dried up.

You are like a river without water, A dried up riverbed.

bring you examples of asylum seekers' creativity and imangination.

On the beach We sat and talked about our sorrows - me, the sea, the night and the stars.

But as I was telling The sea began to rise The waves got bigger The night became suffocating, heavy And the stars disappeared.

They called to me: Enough! We can’t bear to hear more!

I am flying I am flying I’ve got a wing And I’m a bird But I’ve only got one wing I have a father and a mother I’m ready to fly So I fly Together with my father and mother I fly and fly Then I see birds Caught in a net I want to free them They call to me Help Help So I go down And help them Stewart, 10 years, asylum child

Jeg flyver jeg har en vinge og jeg er en fugl Men jeg har kun én vinge Jeg har en far og en mor Jeg er klar til at flyve Så flyver jeg sammen med min far og mor

Jeg flyver og flyver Så ser jeg fugle der er fanget i en snor Så vil jeg befri dem De kalder på mig Hjælp hjælp Så går jeg ned og hjælper dem

Stewart y 10 år Asylbarn fra Irak

The things human souls need, Don’t come to me.

But the things no one wants Come running.

When will the good things come?

My years are like a heavy purse Full of grief.

How do you cast sorrow away?

Now it’s enough For all the years that have gone by - With all the lights that have melted.

Far away I hear joy shout out, I call: where are you?

But only the sea, the night and the stars hear me.

Translated from the Danish by Patricia

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