Reliving the war. Day 280.

Every day of our non-war routine we make many decisions that create a sense of control over our lives. This fragile privilege helps us plan for the future, bringing back the importance of our own decisions again and again. War deprives us of this opportunity.

Many refugees, not only Ukrainians, find themselves in a completely new environment and lose their sense of subjectivity. Apathy, numbness, derealization — you feel trapped between reality and the imaginary world. The bureaucratic struggle for the right to be in a non-war country becomes your new job. The Jobcenter acquires the caricatured features of the German order. This order sort of exists by itself, you have no influence on anything. Your papers can simply get lost and then you start the procedure all over again. What’s your hurry?

You’re afraid of making a wrong move in this ivory tower and losing part of your allowance, which is enough just to choose between white and multigrain bread. Buying both is already a luxury.

You try to get out of the refugee camp because the collective trauma in the narrow, poorly ventilated corridors only gets deeper and darker. Your therapist, if you are lucky enough to find one in Germany, asks what helps you regain a sense of security. In this particular moment of security, your belly should kind of fill with warmth.

TE-TE-ROW. A small town in Mecklenburg, home to a shelter for Ukrainian refugees. A river with a similar name, Teteriv, is in Ukraine, in the region of Zhytomyr. It flows through narrow valleys with steep slopes and flows into the Kyiv water reservoir. Just combination of these letters makes you feel a bit calmer and not so scared.

Every time you repeat to yourself that you are safe, you meet the poor Germans of Teterov, who are very afraid of freezing this winter. Every week they come demonstrating their despair infront of the windows of the shelter. They are chanting that Teterov belongs to the Germans, and you have to go back to a place where the basic modus is survival. Perhaps they just don’t know what it’s like to drain the water from the radiator to divide it among the children sitting in the basement of a house that will very soon be destroyed by the Russian army. Or how it is to see tank gung aimed at you, which very soon will shoot into your house.

These are just a few of the war reliving we share with the people who find themselves on our farm fleeing the war. We help them regain a sense of home and security. We walk with them this thorny path through Jobcentre, Ausländerbehörde and other Kafka’s rudiments. We cannot heal their traumas, but we can share this difficult experience with them. And we will not let the right wing take over the public space of small towns by spreading toxic ideas in Mecklenburg.

If you want to take part of concrete solidarity action with refugee in Mecklenburg lets meet together in Teterow.

Movie-night: « The Landscape of fear »

09. Dezembre 2022, 7 p.m.
Raum der Begegnung, Teterow, Rostocker Str. 2

We will organise cinema evening and reflect together on the topic of migration in armed conflict.

More information here.

This land belongs to empathy, humanity and solidarity!

On October 7, the immigration authorities in Neubrandenburg put Sami from Iran in the detention center in Glückstadt. What the fuck? We explain some background information here.

Who is Sami?

Sami is a friend of ours. We met him at one of our manifestations in Horst. He is a friendly, open person who has always shown solidarity for the concerns of his roommates and friends. He lived in a refugee camp in the district of Mecklenburgische Seenplatte. Sami often visited us and his boyfriend in Rostock, so we have been in contact for more than two years now.

Sami cannot go back to Iran because he is threatened with execution there. He’s very scared. The first thing he wrote us from jail was “I want to live” – ​​nothing could say more clearly why it’s important that we (and you) stand up for him.

We will post news and views on our Instagram and Twitter channels. We ask you to keep an eye on this in the next few days and save Sami from deportation and from the Islamist regime.

Why deport someone who needs protection?

In the German bureaucracy, responsibility is often shifted from A to B to Z. The BAMF rejected Sami’s application for asylum. The Administrative Court of Greifswald confirmed this rejection. So the immigration authorities organize the deportation. For all those involved, it is currently irrelevant what Sami’s situation in Iran will actually look like, because the BAMF’s rejection is what counts for the authorities at the moment.

It is important to know: Asylum procedures do not always reveal the truth, even if the BAMF claims so. Roughly speaking, an asylum procedure works like this: Someone has a few hours in 1 day to tell his/her story. The BAMF fundamentally questions this story with a rather disrespectful and often degrading questioning technique. Many asylum seekers describe it as a gaslighting experience. Many people who have such a hearing at the BAMF have seen and experienced terrible things. Where they come from, on the escape routes and in the refugee camps. Trauma and psychological stress play a major role. In the asylum procedure, this hearing is formally the only place where information can be given to the BAMF. Information that is subsequently submitted or provided in court proceedings is usually classified as implausible (“exaggerated”, “asylum-tactical”).

The decisions made by the BAMF and the courts are by no means always fair and correct. Often enough they are far from reality and sometimes shocking. We know of a hearing protocol in which the BAMF reproaches someone: If it is life-threatening to get involved against the regime, why did you do it? We know of court decisions in which the Greifswald Administrative Court seriously tells young women that they have to adapt to the living conditions in Iran and the “patriarchal barriers” (#forcedhijab).

Sami is a converted Christian. In Iran, the Islamist regime imposes jail and torture up to the death penalty for people who turn away from the Islamic faith (“apostasy”). Atheists are persecuted just like converts. In the corresponding asylum procedures, converts have to convince the BAMF and later the court that they really are atheists/Christians/others and, above all, that they cannot be secretly so in Iran. It is therefore often a question of whether someone in Iran already knows that they are no longer Muslims.

In Sami’s case, neither the BAMF nor the Greifswald administrative court believed that he is a Christian. There are no objective criteria for the question of credibility. Baptism is not proof in itself. Regular church attendance is not evidence in itself. Knowing the Bible well is not proof. It is always up to the personal assessment of the listener and the judge. Which in Sami’s case was false and potentially deadly.

Sami is also gay. Lesbians and gays* face the death penalty in Iran. Recently, the cases of Zahra Sedighi-Hamadani and Elham Choobdar, who were sentenced to death by the regime in September, have attracted global attention. A death sentence always means jail. Prisons in Iran always mean torture and severe violence.

Asylum procedure for LGBTIQ+

In itself, persecution because of homosexuality is a reason to give someone protection status as a refugee in Germany. The BAMF is also aware that lesbians and gays are being persecuted in Iran. As mentioned above, the BAMF does not always get everything or incorrectly judges statements as implausible.

Anyone who is used to hiding their own sexuality may not be able to discuss this topic in a hearing with two complete strangers (listener from BAMF & interpreter). The interpreters are mostly from the same countries as the asylum seekers, which doesn’t exactly increase trust. Until recently, the BAMF also assessed whether, in their opinion, someone could not simply continue to live as gay/lesbian in Iran. In addition, coming out in the asylum process is not easy for many LGBTIQ+ refugees. Those who come out make themselves vulnerable. The hearings still take place in the initial reception camps. In the collection camps, anti-LGBTIQ violence is part of everyday life. You live with people from the countries you just fled from. Not coming out can save your life.

Sami felt the same way. He was in the process of preparing for a second asylum application (so-called follow-up application/Folgeantrag), in which he wanted to apply to the BAMF for protection because of his homosexuality. The first asylum procedure rejected so far was only about conversion to Christianity.

In many cities there are support and self-organized groups of queer refugees. We are currently in the process of contacting groups in Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein in order to be able to support Sami even better with his follow-up application.

If you know LGBTIQ refugees who need support, you can find really good information here: www.queer-refugees.de. Also encourage people to contact the LSVD MV or any of the queer organizations throughout MV. Community has your back!

Why deportation prison in Glückstadt?

Sami will not be deported from Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, but from Glückstadt in Schleswig-Holstein (SH). There is a deportation prison that Hamburg, SH and MV operate together. It has been in operation since summer 2021. Pro Bleiberecht is active in the cross-federalstate network “Glückstadt without deportation jail”. We would like to encourage you: Join us!

There is now a visiting group in Glückstadt (“Besuchsgruppe”). Voluntary committed people try to support people in the deportation prison. Contact them if you know someone who is being jailed in Glückstadt.

In recent years, the Federal Ministry of the Interior under the CDU/CSU has pushed for disgusting racist tightening of the law against asylum seekers and migrants. One area in which they were very active was detention for deportation (Abschiebehaft). They have expanded the criteria for Abschiebehaft so that practically every asylum seeker falls under it. They pushed ahead with the construction of deportation prisons and even disregarded a court ruling of the ECJ and in between housed deportees in prisons again, for example in Neustrelitz.

Few people are aware of this policy. What happens in the area of ​​asylum and deportation often does not get out. Collection camps and deportation prisons – both serve to isolate those affected so that they can be better controlled and deported. We are glad that we can support Sami with everything we can think of at the moment. But we are also painfully aware of how many people with the most blatant stories are deported every day without anyone knowing their names or being able to help them. Recently there was the example of the seriously ill Ghanaian whom the Rostock immigration office sent to his death with medicine for 6 months in his luggage.

The problem is racism. Abschiebehaft is institutional racism. The revision of the residence laws by the new federal government is absolutely overdue. From our point of view, this must include completely abolishing Abschiebehaft as quickly as possible – as well as other racist and populist laws that the CDU/CSU and SPD have enforced in recent years.

Deportations to Iran

Overall, there are comparatively few deportations to Iran. Throughout 2021, 28 Iranians were deported from Germany to Iran. In the first half of 2022, however, there were already 25, which shows that the SPD interior ministry is continuing the racist deportation policy of recent years and is intensifying deportations.

Three years ago, a Christian woman from Torgelow was deported to Iran from Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. In general, the immigration authorities in MV are to be classified as restrictive. For 14 years, ex-Interior Minister Lorenz Caffier was in charge of them – known in terms of asylum policy for his closeness to Horst Seehofer and privately known for buying weapons in the context of the right-wing prepper network Nordkreuz.

On Friday, a few hours before Sami was taken to Glückstadt, the state parliament of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania decided on a moratorium on deportations from MV to Iran. Some politicians from the SPD, Green Party and LINKE have already reacted to our social media campaign on Saturday and will follow up with the authorities about Sami’s case. We’re excited to see what happens. Unfortunately, experience shows that you have to assume the worst at the immigration office in Neubrandenburg.

Therefore it is important, that we all proceed in supporting Sami against the demortation to Iran!
Sami has to stay!

Safe routes for refugees!

Access to protection and admission in German embassies!
Illigalized routes for refugees are dangerous and expensive. They are characterized by violence and exploitation. Women in particual are very often exposed to both in a sexualized form.
They opportunities to apply for humanitarian residence permits must be simplified.

Expand resettlement programs!
Resettlement programs are helpful for refugees in areas of crisis and conflit. They must actually be implemented. They affected persons must be able to decide themself in which country they want to seek refuge. Admission programs must not be privatized.

Admission programs by federal states must be expanded!
The federal ministry must give its unconditional consent to states’ admission programs.

Stop all push backs on European borders!
Push backs are deadly. They make it much more dangerous for people to cross borders. Be it on the Mediterranean Sea, on the internal borders of Europe or, like these days, in Belarus: People have the right to apply for asylum, they can’t be denied that right by state forces and the police. Human rights observers and relief organizations must have access to border regions.

Abolish Dublin!
The burocratic Dublin system does not make any sense, and takes away the self-determination of refugees regarding their destination. The Dublin system is especially harmful to women/FLINTA*, for example if they have to escape to another EU country from forced prostitution, or because of family violence.

Until Dublin is abolished: Enforce relocation!
Within the EU, it’s the border countries who have to deal most with the admission of whose applying for asylum. This means precarious housing conditions in hotspots, both during and after the asylum process. Those people who are relocated should be able to choose their country of destination.

Enable uncomplicated family reunification, for real!
Family reunification for refugees must by fast and uncomplicated. Months-long waiting periods for the acceptance of documents or DNA tests unnecessarily endangerouses those waiting for family reunification – the vast majority are children in a dangerous environment.

Commitment to safe routes instead of forcing people to return!
At the moment, German asylum policy pushes border control and deportation centres further away towards of the European borders or pass-through-countries out of Europe. Those policies are hurtful to the refugees: They are forced to return, and by that once again exposed to the dangers on the escape route and in their home countries. We need legal routes for refugees and a political commitment for safe escape routes.

Those reasons for flight that are gender-related, or are specific for women or LGBTIQ* persons must be fully recognized!

The true social conditions must be recognized – both in a refugee’s home country as well as in EU countries during the Dublin process!
Decissions of the BAMF and the courts are regularly based on incomplete information about the real conditions in the countries of origin. The existence of protection systems is simply presumed or is exaggerated, like the access to women’s shelter houses or the influence of women’s rights organizations in some countries. The characteristics of post-colonial societies, in which burocracy and government have limited influence on society, must be recognized.

German asylum authorities must adjust the pratice of questioning!
The pratice of questioning by the BAMF is insensitive towards traumas and experiences of violence. The BAMF has to educate all interrogators on the handling of traumas. In particular, the challenging of experiences of violence (Gaslighting) and the victim blaming (f.e. „Why didn’t you leave your country earlier?“) must stop. The right of every asylum seeker to an interrogator and a translator of their own gender must be implemented, in particular for intersexual, transsexual and non-binary persons. The BAMF has to inform asylum seekers about counselling centers for sexual violence, forced marriage and other forms of violence, if those are mentioned during the interview.

Right to stay for women/FLINTA* who are victims of violence, aside from the aslym process if nessecary!
Even if someone doesn’t get protection according to BAMF guidlines, a women/FLINTA* who is a victim of violence must get a permanent residence permit. This is the first step towards liberation from patriarchal exploitation through their husbands, as well as through forced labour.

Perspectives for a right to stay instead of Duldung!
Toleration residence permits are psychologically destroying people. Since during the last years more and more sanctions have been applied to the toleration status, it has become an „invisible prison“. German migration policy needs to focus on opening up perspectives for asylum seekers, instead of deportation and isolation.

Special needs of women/FLINTA* refugees must be adressed!

Legal councelling and information!
Councelling structures and the legal representation which is insufficient must be expanded: There must be truly independent legal advice during the asylum process, such independent coucelling can not be executed by the BAMF. Any encouragement to return to the home country must be kept out of the councelling, instead the advice must focus on possibilities to stay. Authorities and camp operators must refer to those support networks outside the camp and make access possible.

Close down the camps!
Decentralized housing means self-determination. As long as there are refugee camps, at least a) it must be possible for the residents to lock their rooms whenever if they choose, and inviolability of the apartment must always be guaranteed by operators and authorities, b) kids must get their own rooms, c) there must be common rooms especially for women, d) the safety of women in the accomodations must be guaranteed.

Empowering single mothers!
Single mothers and their children can be empowered when they have access to regular daycare facilities and schools – no special facilities inside the camp. Qualified child care strenghens the kids and gives single mothers the time to recover from what they have gone through.

Improve medical and psycho-social care!
Real access means regular health insurance including an insurance card, and an end to the disriminatory reality of the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act. Psychosocial consulting servives for refugee women must be expanded and financially secured in the long term. Asylum seeking women must my taught pro-active and in multiple languages about their access to those services. They translating facilites of medical doctors must be expanded.

Access to participation within society!
At the moment asylum seekers are systematically excluded from society. This can be changed if every asylum seeker at least gets regular social benefits as well as access to German language courses, work, school education and professional training. Access to recreational activities, like sports and culture, must be supported instead of restrained. Supporters must have free entry to refugee camps. Qualified social workers must help refugees with the orientation in a new environment.

Persecution & Escape, Protection & Solidarity –
Manifestation at the International Day Against Torture

June 26, 1 p.m., Greifswald: In front of the Administrative Court (Domstraße 7)

On June 26th, human rights activists remember the struggles of friends and comrades who stand up for freedom and dignity worldwide. The day warns us to deal with the repression and the crimes of authoritarian regimes, to show solidarity and to be aware of the responsibility that we also bear here on the ground.

We therefore call for a manifestation in front of the Greifswald Administrative Court. The question of protection or deportation for people who have fled persecution and torture is often heard in this court. At the manifestation…

… activists have their say, reporting from different countries.
… we break the silence about the creeping torture that the asylum procedure means in Germany: From life in collective camps to bureaucratic procedures at the BAMF and in court to deportations.
… we stand united with friends and comrades for fair trials, for freedom and dignity.

Organisations calling for the manifestation: Greifswald hilft e.V. and Pro Bleiberecht in MV.

You can find more information and updates at
www.bleiberecht-mv.org/tag-gegen-folter

For many years Women in Exile & Friends have been making summer tours to different German federal states to connect with other refugee women*, especially those living in lager. This summer we will move to Hamburg, Bremen and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

We want to empower refugee women* to become politically active, in order to fight for their rights as women* living in this society. We also want to address the question of opening political structures to refugee women*. Our main political fight is against the lagersystem. We believe the shared and isolated accommodations work as a catalyst to sexual violence, traumas and depressions leading to (attempted) suicides.

We want to:

• bring into public isolation, racism, sexism, reports on traumas on those experiencing sleepless nights for fear of deportation and the effects of the corona pandemic.
• encourage and network with refugee women*, groups and individuals working with refugee women*.
• break borders preventing our participation and build bridges to connect us to communities.
• be given the opportunity to choose where we want to live in dignity.
• connect with the refugee women* fighting for their children`s right to birthcertificates.

The corona virus pandemic continues to severely affect the refugee communities. Living in isolation, sharing rooms and facilities such as kitchens/dining halls, bathrooms and toilets have made refugees among one of the most vulnerable groups to the corona virus. For the refugee women* the pandemic has been catastrophic. Lack of technical knowledge or internet accessibility, closure of safe and empowering spaces have isolated us, left us with less information and made organization nearly impossible. Mass deportations were still carried out with a lot of police reinforcement and brutality. All this lead to more reported (attempted) suicidal cases. This we bring into public through our campaign #socialDistancingIsAPrivilege.

We ask for your support and solidarity for our tour.

So that we can work for the empowerment of refugee women*, bring the systematic violation of our rights to the public and work together with other communities for an open and solidary society.

On December 29th we held a spontaneous manifestation in front of the initial reception center Nostorf-Horst to protest against the racist complete lockdown of the camp. About 20 people have gathered in the parking lot in front of the facility. We expressed our solidarity with speeches in several languages.

Here you find our statement for the press.

Why we make this manifestation

Why the Shutdown is racist

Why nobody seems to care?

What needs to change

• Horst has to be abolished in general!
• The racist laws have to be abolished!
• We need IMMEDIATELEY transfer for all of you!

• We need to raise awareness for the situation of you people here! We will be happy if some of you decide to speak up and contact us after this manifestation.
• We have to make sure, that the fundamental right of equality applies for everyone here – there are no exeptions and no excuses!
• We need to find more ways to show solidarity for each other and speak up for injustice, also when it is not targeting us directly!
• And last but not least: We have to understand, that we can only overcome racism, when we show unity! We can only be free, when every single person is free.