13 October 2004
1. The VOICE Refugee Forum makes an introduction for the congress, speaking on the history and birth of this group of refugees, who today are celebrating ten years of their political activities, including campaigns against the Obligatory Residency Law and discrimination against refugees in general. Their intervention is based on concrete events as well as the force that still exists to resist the abuses against refugees and migrants.
As part of the introduction, the Berlin group presents itself. They reiterate and make clear why they support this congress as well as the political and human position regarding this situation of „enclosure“, which we face as refugees and migrants. Taking into account the reasons for migration as such, they specifically refered to the unjust and absurd poverty which our countries of the so-called Third World are facing. They also spoke on the problems that refugees and migrants have in working with groups of Germans (problems of hierarchy, analysis, concepts of struggle) in order to highlight the principal aim of the congress: the self-organization of migrants and refugees, the immediate solution to our problems, taking things into our hands and not waiting for someone to come and do this for us. The group layed out its position that solidarity has to radically develop, irregardless of our nationality, religion or social status; this was especifically directed toward the German supporters. The group also emphasized the importance of informing ourselves about the new anti-migration laws, which will detioriate and destroy even further the conditions of migrants in Germany. Finally, they highlighted that colonialism is an usurpation of our resources and that the support of corrupt governments and the First World arrogance as a primary cause of migration and the exploitation of our countries.
2. Presentation of the different groups:
Refugee Emancipation
Colombia in Exile
Kanak Attak
Women in Exile (2 presentations)
Brandenburg Refugee Initiative
ADA - Turkish Centre
Migrante Europe
SoLatina
Respekt
Socialist Party of Iran
Caravan for the Rights of Refugees and Migrants
And other people that intervened not as groups, but instead speaking on their personal experiences with racism and immigration.
Each group reiterated their concern regarding the problems which refugees and migrants are facing in Germany, presenting a brief summary of their history and why they were formed. All themes were related to migration and its consequences. The necessity to create a platform by and for refugees and migrants was seen by everbody as a way to combat racism under any circumstances. The majority of the groups spoke on the history of their organizations and reiterated their support for The VOICE with the idea to unite the struggles of refugees and migrants while at the same time respecting our differences.
Protocol 16 October 2004
Group 1
The question was asked: Is it necessary (or not) to create a platform between refugees and migrants?
The answer is yes... a platform is needed that has as its base the following proposals:
· The self-organization of refugees and migrants; working specifically in what is going to be the form of the platform in order to begin with concrete tasks
· In order to maintain coherency in our actions, to create a coordination point with the different actions that are planned.
· For the realization of this platform, it is necessary that the actions which are carried out are seen as a parallel support for the political discusssions.
· To have a political goal; creating campaigns and empahisizing the need for contast and close communication between the groups (communication networks) · To place emphasis in the informational campaigns about the new anti-immigration law
· To keep in mind the concrete points which came out of the congress in order to assure their continuity
· To prepare a structure together with other groups and people taking advantage of the anti-colonial conference
· To mutually support ourselves in our processes of self-organization
· To create a new e-mail list for the purpose of maintaining communication
· To strengthen our struggle which, one strengthened, will strengthen the struggle of the Germans
Protocol 14 October 2004
The principal points that were taken into account were the Wall in
Palestine and the Obligatory Residency Law.
· We cannot lose sight of the political and social contrasts within the economic context.
· Internationalize freedom of movement: this point does not only make reference to the Apartheid Wall, but to the Obligatory Residency Law as well.
· Large informational campaigns regarding the historic process that Israel has had in relation to Palestine up until today.
The VOICE – Conference 16 October 2004
Protocol Group 2
The main aim is to improve the networking, so that the organized and not organized participants of the congress can access and contribute information to the worked on topics and ongoing projects. Therefore, a list of contacts of participants is needed and a mailing list should be put in place.
It was suggested that the Caravan Bremen opens its mailing list to all, but this idea was considered negatively since not all participants of the congress might want to identify themselves as members of the Caravan and vice versa. The people themselves should decide whether they want to be on the list as individuals or as groups, whether the group wants to delegate one person to the campaign, whether one should be responsible for this project or whether there could be a representative for each city/town.
Other platforms should be used such as the Anti Colonial Conference to invite more people to join the campaign / one of the campaigns and that they can take on information to their groups so that via a mailing list support for certain actions / activities can be mobilized.
It was emphasized that it is important to have an evaluation meeting, that be general and “nationwide“ and to be held within this year.
The group was not really sure on how to work on the concrete issues that were topic during the last days. As the main points were collected:
The self-organization of migrants and refugees Residenzpflicht
The protest agains the wall in Palestine
The necessary internationalization of our struggle esp.
Concerning the Residenzpflicht and the perspective of taking it before the European Court (Strassbourg)
The deportation, esp. of activists
To the first point it was noted, that the division / differentiation between refugees and migrants might not always be useful, esp. under the current circumstances.
Concerning the Residenzpflicht it was emphasized how much work we have to do before we will reach Strasbourg. Therefore, it is necessary to mobilize more because we can not expect the law to change by itself. So two angles of force are needed:
1. go through the legal process that takes the Residentzpflicht before the European Court
2. work on the grassroots, do motivation, talk about problems, exchange information with the people concerned and the ones want to show solidarity The process will take years but we have to start now.
For the Residenzpflicht case as many lawyers as possible have to be contacted, as well as for the concrete cases as for Strasbourg. Who has contacts internationally?
Who volunteers to take up responsibilities?
It would be useful to collect as many cases as possible and pick one that represents the oppression in the greatest form (smallest Landkreis, all kind of restrictions etc.) We have to show on that case or the cases that human rights violation like that can only happen in Germany and no where else. Therefore, people have to be informed to give information, to mobilize supporters and lawyers.
Also the illegalized have to be helped but this topic can not be discussed in a big forum.
There were apologies for misunderstandings and things going wrong but they were answered with thanks to the organizers of the congress. There should be no reason for disappointment unless the expectations were too high individually. Nevertheless, the question of continuity should be posed.
It was positively recognized that there were many individuals and not only representative of groups. Those individuals have to be integrated in the network.
We still have to work on the networks, on how to get in contact with the refugees in the “heims“, on how to meet the migrants and illegalized and other grassroots people as well as people from university and so on. The VOICE should not overestimate its role.
As a matter of urgency there has to be a parallel campaign against deportation, ideally in all cities at the same time. (decentralized but united) A day for the demonstration should be fixed as soon as possible, and it has to take place before the end of this year, best before December.
Akubuo updated us on his case that is of great significance for it symbolizes all forms of opression and resistance together. He brought a petition to the Landtag in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and yet the date is not clear yet, but all should be aware that it might be necessary and successful to press the Landtag in Meck-Pomm soon. Also he is threatened to be deported before the 11.11.04. Anyhow, there is a working group on his case so for us it is only necessary to be informed and ready to react quickly!
The protocols have to be send out and suggestions and ideas have to be distributed via the mailing list. We need a document resuming the congress. Yet there should be a concretization on the different topics. (again, who is in charge / takes up responsibility? Who will plan the demonstration? Who does the office work?) Also things have to be translated into as many languages as possible.
From those documents there should be flyers made that inform all people about what is going on, that can be given out at “Heims“ and so on. People and information have to spread out!
Also it was noted that at this time the European Social Forum is taking place in London and that it offers the opportunity to link up with them and can give us a platform to internationalize the struggle. They are planning a demonstration in Berlin for the end of march. So everything that is done by us should consider this date.