Deutsch
On Thursday, 19.4.12 at 11:00 Sozialgericht Berlin, (Invalidenstraße 52), 14:00 Ausländerbehörde, (Friedrich-Krause-Ufer)
Demonstration against Institution Racism and For Freedom of Movement
Institutional racism in Germany has many stories. The 28-years old Banga (Bamkali Konateh) can tell one of them: He is more than 11 years in Germany. He was healthy when he came into Germany but now blind with diabetes. His health condition is a direct consequence of police brutality and limited or hindered medical attention to his treatment.
After The VOICE Refugee Forum got to know about his case and generated a campaign for him in 2010, Banga was given a „Fiktionsbescheinigung“ based on residence right §25 Abs.3.
Video: BLIND BANGA - Maybe I can see again: Flüchtlingslager Gerstungen http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMoUz_2nVXM&feature=player_embedded
After being given this right to stay, the social support based on the Asylbewerberleistungsgesetzt was withdrawn, his medical treatment from a mobile welfare canter was cancelled and he was asked to the the refugee camp in Gerstungen thus turning a diabetic blind person adrift: No information, no support help in organizing his financial issues or medical treatment, no accommodation.
With the intervention of The Voice Refugee Forum and the KuB in Berlin (Kontakt- und Beratungsstelle für Flüchtlinge und MigrantInnen), a support group volunteered to offer him a flat and also support to build a new living in Berlin.
After Banga moved to Berlin in summer 2011, he applied for social help (Hartz IV) and a health insurance which created the room for him to continue his treatment on his remaining eye,(Maybe Banga can see again.).
In the residence right for Banga, there was a constrain of residence only within Thüringen based on foreseen deportation/eviction in September 2011. Thüringen „Wohnsitzauflage“
An appeal was made to suspend the constrain i.e. Banga still lives in Berlin legally. Since this date, there has been a conflict about who takes the financial responsibility between Berlin and Thüringen Institutions.
Whoever that may be doesn’t matter to us because we are only interested that one of the districts takes this responsibility i.e. like Health insurance, Rentage and other necessities for his living.
A court in Berlin decided that the Thüringen district (Landratsamt) pay up Bangers arrears from February-April but the district is using a debt recovery strategy enforcement to ridiculously reduce his earnings.
Normally Banga is expected to receive 200; Euros besides his rent according to the Asylbewerberleistungsgesetz.
But the district authourities are not interested in paying for the premium the health insurrance is ignored.
Actually he is only still insured because supporters borrowed him money. And from the month of May, Banga would be roped up again. It is always all about money that is urgently needed for his survival and nothing else.
It may seem not understandable for the social offices and courts in Berlin and Thüringen hence they take so long time to reach a decision that is binding i.e a blind diabetic person runs out of his insulin and eye drops.
This story may be shocking for you or makes you angry or even unbelievable. see longer version in German here:
http://de.indymedia.org/2012/03/326016.shtml or
https://thevoiceforum.org/node/2474).
Bangas story is just one of many stories of refugees in Germany. There are many similar cases we never hear about because the sick protagonists were just deported notwithstanding their rights for a residence permit.
For Banga and the many others unknown who are faced with such hard times with the (alien) offices and those deprived of their rights for getting the absolutely necessary, we invite you to join us on the street on 19.April at 11am.
Come with us on Thursday 19th April at 11am to the Berlin social court at the Invalidenstraße 52 and then to the aliens department to protest against the daily institutionalised racism AND the freedom of movement.
END
The VOICE Refugee Forum Jena
Schillergäßchen 5, 07745 Jena,
E-Mail: thevoiceforum@gmx.de
https://thevoiceforum.org