Invandraren

Asylum seekers who have written their SFI-prov and passed can now study basic computer courses such as MS-Offfice, Excel, microsoft word among other things. This has come as an appreciated move by many asylum seekers. Some even felt that it was long overdue. Previously, most asylum seekers who had completed their SFI-prov have found themselves with nothing, unless they were involved with praktik or working.

Many asylum seekers currently taking the SFI course have always refused to sit for the SFI-prov because of the fear that in the event they have pass they will be left with nothing to occupy themselves as many find it hard to arrange praktik or secure jobs. There will always refuse on the grounds that there are not ready for the SFI-prov. They felt its best for one to take the SFI course so as to better the Swedish language. In reality yes that is what is bound to happen thereafter except for those who have been granted the permanent residence permit(PUT). However, the majority of them have their decisions still pending.

Now that they can study computers it’s a relief and a positive move to many. The authorities felt that it’s necessary to equip them with computer skills as the labour market in Sweden demands that one be computer literate in most instances. Some are computer literate but then they do not have their computer literacy on paper. So it is wise that even though one is compuetr literate takes the course so as to get a certicate. This is absolutely a positive step by the migration authorities in gearing the asylum seekers for their future in the job market.

It is believed that there are more than 20 000 immigrants living illegal in Sweden, among them mostly failed asylum seekers. Most of them went into hiding after having their applications turned down by the migration authorities. What it means now is that there have no recourse to any public benefits and no right to work.

Refugees from global trouble spots including Darfur, Somalia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran and Ethiopia are among those who end up on the streets, relying on charities, faith groups and the generosity of friends. They end up being destitute through delays in the asylum process or after their cases are refused. Then, benefits, housing and healthcare are withdrawn after the applications have been turned down.

Zeina a refugee from Albania told us how she has managed to survive through solicitors. ‘I always moved around, sleept on my friends’ floors and sofas, and spent my days just walking, with nowhere to go,” she said. “I could get parcels of food and a small amount of money from a Red Cross drop-in. I have no words to explain what life was like for me. It was a miserable time. Sometime I would meet the Jehova’s Witnesses preachers and they have helped me to console my distress.’

Critics say government policy deliberately reduces asylum seekers to destitution to coerce them into returning home voluntarily. There are voluntary packages available through organizations like Red Cross, IOM only to those who agree to go home voluntarily. But many are terrified of returning and choose to take their chances and live with no support at all.

But the challenges of working with refused asylum seekers cannot be addressed by enforcement alone – constructive approaches are also needed. Far from encouraging refused asylum seekers to return home, destitution has the opposite effect. It means the government loses contact with asylum seekers, who enter a cycle of poverty, fear, hunger and mental and physical deterioration. Each day they are destitute, the chances of return become are even more remote.

Instead, the government should maintain contact with refused asylum seekers and work with them to resolve their cases amicably.

Allan not his real name in Borås tells us his story of his frightening arrival in the Sweden to his inspiring struggle to make progress to the Swedish society.

What was it like entering Sweden?

When l entered the airport l didn’t know where to go and what to do and asked one of the security that l wanted to claim asylum. She humbly gave me the right information and directions of where to go. The reception was so wonderful. I took the bus to Gothernburg where I then sought asylum. I was then taken to Kallared in Gothenburg where I claimed my asylum. I had to then wait for two weeks before they placed me in a house where I share with other asylum seekers. I must say I like the house where I stay but the place I don’t like. It’s more dull and most of the people there are very old people. When I came two years back it was even worse, it looked so empty but now there have been many asylum seekers placed so it feels like a community.

One of the holocaust survivors once wrote, ‘ If you haven’t experienced it, you can’t believe it and if you have experienced it you won’t understand it.’ Truly, what I have gone through right from the time they wanted to take my life in my country to the times of trying to organize myself here has been an experience that I still cannot belive nor understand it. It was very difficult to settle here in Sweden because when I arrived it was winter,  l didn’t have any warm clothes to wear and it was very cold. l didn’t have anyone to give me clothes. l have been having nightmares, and dreamed that they are killing my mother. l didn’t have money to phone her to find out how she is and the same nightmares continue.

The other problem I faced was trying to befriend the locals. When you try to make friends with them, they often ask what I’m doing in Sweden and I tell them I’m an asylum seeker they start to ignore me, they disappear. To them I think it sounds like a criminal seeking a habour in Sweden. Some say they don’t understand what an asylum seeker is. I then try to explain to them that I face persecutin in my home country because of A,B,C reasons but I still sound like a strange visitor.

During the day I go to Borås and spend most of the time in the library. I can’t go to SFI because I had a negative on my case so automatically I’m not allowed to continue with the SFI. I have permission to work but cannot find a job but now I have volunteered to work in the church. That is all that has been keeping me going all the time. However, I want to appreciate so far that at least I have been safe the past two years. I’m very thankful to Sweden to have gave me where to hide my head though they haven’t accepted my asylum case.

Mentally asylum seekers have no choice but to deal with the harsh reality of the pressure they face in a number of ways. Many asylum seekers say that approximately half of their time they always think about their cases and situation. Each day cannot pass without one not thinking about their present situations. Many say they constantly think about their asylum cases and their future. Here is what some had to share:

‘Everyday I think of my case and my future. I think about it even when I’m asleep. Sometimes I dream being deported, being bundled for deportation, being tortured and sometimes I wake up during the night and start thinking about my case.The pressure becomes even worse when some of my colleagues receive acceptance letters of their cases, in some way it gives me hope.’

One asylum seeker from Lebanon tells a different story of how she tries to cope with the pressure. She says she tries to keep herself busy with the SFI and the praktik. She avoids having discussions with other asylum seekers on the asylum related matters as mostly the discussions are based on the ‘hear-some’ information which mostly turns out to be false. from.She thinks its more crucial that she avoids thinking about her situation all the time. Worsestill, she has stayed for one year three months without being apponited a lawyer.

Abbas an asylum seeker from Iraq says the pressure of waiting has killed all his spirit of setting up his future in Sweden. ‘When I came here, they received me with the open hands and I had believed the process will be fast, but I have given up.I will just accept whatever comes next. I had a pizzeria in Iraq and wanted to open one here. But I have lost those prospects opening one. The pressure is too much for me and even if you try to avoid it, its unavoidable because our daily activities are routined along this pressure’, says Abbas.

These testimonials are a true reflection of the daily pressure asylum seekers have to cope with. Those already rejected is already worse as they some now live in hiding, not knowing how to bring bread and butter on the table and what is next for them. The situation is even worsened by the fact that some whose cases are rejected even for the first time but have appealed cannot continue taking SFI lessons which are crucial in keeping their minds away from all this pressure. Some think it’s a way of frustrating them so they can probably decide to leave the country voluntarily.

Many asylum seekers say they prefer not to have translators for their cases. It is the procedure that they are given a translator when they present their case to their lawyer. This is to make sure that the asylum seeker’s information is collected to the best of what he/she has said. This also helps the migration authorities to make a fair decision. The translator is to translator what the asylum seeker says about his application for asylum to the lawyer in the best possible neutral manner as it can.

However, some asylum seekers are dissatisfied with this procedure. They assume that sometimes the translators may not translate everything they say. Some are of the feeling that if the translator hates you, he/she can leave out the most important parts of the case deliberately.Some have complained of the uncomfortableness they feel when they go for medical examination at the hospitals where they have to use a translator. Obviously there are further difficulties with translation through a third party. The person may simply not reveal crucial information because he or she is too embarrassed. It is difficult enough sometimes for people to talk about intimate bodily functions to a doctor. Imagine what it might feel like for the person if the translator was non-medical or a member of the opposite sex. Imagine even further that the translator became embarrassed by the content of the information being discussed. Here is what some had to say:

‘I come from Ethiopia. We have a problem we Ethiopians as we sometimes are appointed translators that can be someone from Eritrea because they can speak our languages as well. On one hand, Ethiopia and Eritrea at the moment are in a cat and dog situation. Surely how do you expect a neutral translation in such a case. Yes, it’s good to have translators but on the other hand we have many complaints about them from many asylum seekers.’

‘I come from Iraq, from the Kurdish part, North Iraq. Imagine they appoint me a translator from Iraq but he is Shiite from Central Iraq. We have major differences that some of them today are still causing the conflicts you see on the media everyday. I really don’t feel 100% satisfied with a translator of this kind. Given a choice, I would prefer not to have one.’

‘To have a translator I feel it’s a good idea. You can have everything translated. Of course, we have to bear in mind that translators too are human beings too. They are bound to make mistakes but I think they have professional ethics which they are compound to. If they make mistakes, I would say the frequency is close to none. I have heard many complaints about them amongst asylum seekers but I’m not sure if it’s true because after the interview the asylum seeker has to sign the contents of the interview that what is contained in the interview is what he/she has said, so you can’t sign to agree to something you didn’t say.’

There is need to build the trust amongst asylum seekers of the translators. They have to be educated about the professional ethics they follow when translating. Besides, after the translation, the asylum seekers get a copy of what they said which they have to agree to it. If they disagree, they are allowed to contact their lawyer and say what they don’t agree with, which the lawyer in turn informs the migration authorities. So, surely there are minimal chances that they can be foul play during the translation process. There is need for asylum seekers to avoid relying on the ‘hear say’ information from their fellow countrymen which many at times turns out to be wrong.

Conflict is one of the everyday life of many asylum seekers within the residential areas they reside. The conflicts are usually amongst themselves or sometimes with other locals in the neighbourhood. But the questions to ask is what are the causes to these conflicts and what are the solutions?

Conflicts can arise whenever people live together, especially in close quarters that many asylum seekers are placed. This applies to both Swedish citizens and asylum seekers alike. Living with conflicts is certainly a realistic challenge. However, solving conflicts non-violently is absolutely essential.
Most of the conflicts according to asylum seekers interviewed are due to differences within the living quarters. These may include hygienic factors such as using the toilet, cleaning the house, dishes and the general cleanliness in due respect to other occupants too. Furthermore, some said most conflicts are due also to noiseness amongst some colleagues who may be disturbing the peace that they want to enjoy.

The other most common mentioned one is noisy usually in the form of group talking as many have a habit of grouping in one apartment and then speak very loud. Secondly, talking on the mobile too loud when others maybe needing a peace of mind. The laundry is also one place where they have been reports of conflicts particularly with sticking to the washing time table on the asylum seekers. They have been reports that many asylum seekrs wash anytime they want. Some accuse them of causing breakdowns to the machines and staeling globes. This has not only created conflicts with the residents but also hatred and certain extents racism. Below is what a few had to say about conflicts from where they stay:

‘ We have had conflicts many at times from where we stay. Almost once a week there is a conflict. Some days we can go for a week without talking to each other because usually after we have a conlict no-one wants to admit the guilteness. So we all adopt the silent solution until one of us decides to speak. It continues like that time and again. Its now a trend we have come to accept to live with. It’s like a cycle.’

‘Each day is different! You always have to read the mood of your colleagues because sometimes they have been angered by the situation back home and you speak to that person only to realize you have brough more problems by just talking to him. So you got to be careful and think of what to say. On the solution part, we don’t quickly try to apologize because we usually say we are the same, no-one is a boss in these quarters, so you can’t tell me what to do. I decide for myself.’

‘Well, we have many disputes each day. This usually happens when I want to tell my colleague to do a duty or to clean the toilet. The result of that is usually a conflict and hatred thereafter. Unfortunately some of them can be very violent. Most of the times we don’t apologize to each other because no-one wants to admit the wrongness, so we keep quiet or not talk to each other forever. I don’t speak to my room mate anymore because I told him that he has to check if the toilet is clean after use but he got mad with me.’

The fact that asylum seekers face restrictions and have to deal with frustrating situations is no excuse for violence and such conflicts. It is important to educate asylum seekers more on living within the neighbourhoods with other asylum seekers and local residents. They have to know that such behavior not only makes living conditions worse for all residents, causing everyone to suffer, it also makes asylum seekers look less acceptable to Swedish citizens, whose tax money is used to accommodate and care for asylum seekers.

During these difficult times of stress, trauma and long waitings asylum seekers should instead make each other’s life easier through mutual consideration. They must be reaffirmed that as asylum seekers in Sweden they abviously are entitled to unrestricted rights to protection from bodily harm that might arise due to the already mentioned conflicts. They are advised to report such conflicts especially when they result in violence to the police.

Migrationsverkert has changed the procedure for asylum seekers when they want to contact their social assistants through telephone calls. Now asylum seekers are supposed to call a new number 0771-235 235 with effect from the 12th of September 2007 in Linköping. When they call they are to mention that they want to speak to their social assistants, mention the name and place where he/she is based before being put through. In short they are to say in Swedish:

‘Jag vill prata med min handläggare. Hon/han heter…. Maria/Lars på migrationsverket i Borås/Linköping/Malmö etc’

The system is meant to cut calling costs for asylum seekers as the calling system will be subsidized by the Migrationsverket. However, there were mixed feelings to this amongst asylum seekers. Many welcomed the move saying it will go a long way in helping cut the calling costs particularly that most of the time when they call, they spend a long time as they have to explain many issues to their social assisants. They need explanations from their assistants too. On one hand, some felt they might find it hard to get through the number as they assume the number might be congested.

Asylum stress is better than staying home, but the stress of being uprooted back is the most painful one to bear. This is the feeling amongst asylum seekers in Borås that have received a first negative on their cases and are awaiting a second chance.
It is true that most asylum seekers awaiting decisions on their cases suffer severe stress, compounded by the different problems such as political violence, war etc that has led to their physical and psychological problems. On the other hand, when they have escaped as far as Sweden many find their hopes of living in peace being replaced by the continued stress. Worse still, more than they experienced back home.
Many find themselves living in fear of being returned especially when they don’t receive decisions sooner than they had anticipated. This feeling of being returned is quite destructive and is leading to emotional/behavioural problems. Below is what some had to say about this stress:
‘I have stayed in Sweden for close to two years. I had my interview two weeks after I had arrived but a few months later I received a negative and I immediately appealed. However, I have been interviewed in Gothenburg for the second time but up to now I haven’t received the decision. I live in stress due to fear of being returned. The stress is worse than when I came, as a negative this time means they are scooping me out. I can’t be more stressed than to think of what will happen to me when I’m returned to Ethiopia.’
‘I have waited for the outcome of my second interview close to one year. They said what I’m telling them its not true. They say right is might and I say might is right. Obviously when they say I lied, to me its a response that tells me they will take me out. It stresses me each day. I check the post everyday and I’m tired now. I will just live within hope that they understand that returning me to Iran will be like sending back a coffin to the grave yard for burial. Its better to be stressed by the fact that I’m an asylum seeker than to think of being returned.’

The above reflects the wider feelings of a large number of asylum seekers who today are not yet sure if they will be protected. It reflects how dangerous it can be to keep people guessing for too long on serious issues such as being granted asylum. Lets bear in mind that some of these become members of this society after waiting this long. But the problem is that the damage has been done already. The psychological and emotional problems experienced during this long period becomes a permanent syndrome amongst some of them.

There have been so much confusion, fear and misunderstanding amongst asylum-seekers in regards to the waiting period of their cases. Many are particularly concerned with the waiting time to meet with an official (the lawyer) which according to interviewees can last up to more than four months, a year, or a more longer period. This seems to have brought so many unanswered questions amongst many, who now feel probably the authorities are beginning to turn a tough muscle on asylum-seekers.

This has mainly come as a shocker to Somali, Iraq groups who in the past have enjoyed the priviledge of having their cases dealt with more quicker than others. Worse still, with the news that the authorities have passed a decision that will see some of the Iraq and Afhgani asylum-seekers being sent back. This has left many other immigrants wondering if they will survive the chop!

This has created a lot of panic and fear amongst many of asylum-seekers who fear they might be sent back to face torture and likely persecutions in their home countries. Many feel the authorities are just reacting to such actions because of the influx of immigrants coming to seek protection in Sweden. This is somehow meant to discourage other would-be asylum seekers not to have second thoughts before coming to Sweden.
However the question still remains: Are the authorities aware that asylum-seekers are people who flee their countries because of problems threatening their lives? Surely, how could one sacrifice to leave his/her family, culture, norms and values and country when they were born and bred if they are no life threatening problems. It’s true, they maybe some lacking that kind of ground, but the majority of the immigrants had reasons behind their presence here.

Entertainment is an act, event, perfomance, or activity that is designed to give pleasure or relaxation to an audience. Entertainment makes the mind relax from the many problems, stress and trauma which many newly arrived asylum-seekers will be experiencing. Through engaging oneself with recreational activities as a newly arrived immigrant, one learns a lot and easily establish contacts with the host society.

To begin with, one has to first understand that asylum seekers are a particular vulnerable group that have been marginalized from living peaceful lives for different reasons from their home countries. Many of them are living in severe stress and trauma. However, having understood their nature and the state of their minds, it is imperative for the newly arrived asylum seekers that they be engaged in different forms of entertainment activities which can help ease their stress, emotions and trauma. One of the most effective ways that is being marginalized from them is entertainment .It is in this arena that society is more open and welcoming. However, many asylum seekers in Borås, Sweden feel that they are being marginalized from entertainment by the system of placements as in regards to the the places there are posted to stay which many say they are too remote, have few buses and no entertainment at all. Here is what some had to say:

‘ Many of us we are posted in places where they are no buses late in the night. My last bus leaves Borås at 7pm. During the day, we have to be busy with school. During the night when most people are in the pubs, restuarants, clubs,and cinemas is the time when I dont have transport. I need entertainment to forget many things, not only the long waiting period of our cases but the troubles that brought me here, what I went through and the home sickness of missing my family. We need entertainment’

‘I stay in Fristla and we do have transport up to late night but I can’t afford to go to a pub and have four glasses of beer. I can’t think of that because I’m still new here. I need to buy proper clothes for this weather at the same time buy food and call my family home. All this has to done from the 2200 kr I get as an allowance every month. So I can’t dream of entertainment now, if my case will take two years, that will mean two years without going to the cinema or to a match. I need entertainment though.’

‘Well, I need entertainment but I can’t with what I get at the end of the month. I would suggest that at least they put one T.V-set in the houses we stay. Because most of the time it’s so quiet. When it becomes quiet, I start thinking about my problems, family and my future.’