Launch of Refugee Stories, Brussels, 8th November 2006
20th October 2006BRUSSELS: "Humans. We are human beings. So treat us as human beings." In a unique project, ECRE has asked asylum seekers and refugees to relate their untold stories of seeking protection in the EU. These frank and powerful stories are published in a dedicated section of the ECRE website and illustrated in an exhibition of prints by acclaimed Brussels based artist Joslin Towler. The opening reception of ‘Refugee Stories' on the 8th November was hosted by the European Economic and Social Committee, and was addressed by refugees involved in the initiative, and famous Belgian stand-up comedian and former refugee Pie Tshibanda.
This comes at a time when asylum in Europe is under scrutiny: next year the Commission will launch a broad public consultation on how to reach its objective of creating a Common European Asylum System by 2010, and the European Commission's report on the Dublin system is due imminently. Access to the EU's borders has been in the media spotlight, and highlights why Europe needs to develop border controls sensitive to the duty to protect refugees - something that should be on the agenda in two weeks time when European Commissioners will meet Libyan leaders in Tripoli to discuss migration in the Mediterranean.
ECRE's new General Secretary Bjarte Vandvik said: "The fate of many who seek protection in the EU is increasingly determined by decisions made in Brussels, but the voices of these men, women and children are rarely heard in the political and public debate. Those who play a role in political decision-making must listen to the voices of those who are most affected by their policies, and create a Common European Asylum System that offers genuine and lasting protection to those in need."
Prisca Agbory, a refugee from Cameroon living in Austria, said: "It is really important that refugees have the opportunity to speak for themselves. I am looking forward to coming to Brussels, and telling my own story so others without a voice can be helped. There are refugees all over Europe; our concerns should not be hidden away."
Partners from twelve member states took part in the initiative, in which 150 recognised refugees, asylum seekers, and asylum seekers whose applications have been rejected were interviewed. The result is a collection of stories that illustrate the way in which policies in this area affect human beings. The stories are based on themes relevant to the EU debate on asylum and migration: access to the EU; reception; integration; asylum procedure; detention; the Dublin system and asylum seekers whose applications have been rejected.
Stories collected include that of Roza, a doctor who fled war torn Chechnya and has successfully integrated in Poland in spite of a long asylum procedure and process of cultural adaptation, Kasim, a 39 year old Iraqi asylum seeker, who spent four years in Sweden prior to being returned to Italy via the Dublin system, and is still waiting for a resolution of his case, and John, an asylum seeker whose application has been rejected from the Democratic Republic of Congo, who speaks out about the inhumanity of being detained with his wife and small baby in Belgium.