Lampedusa in Hamburg
short update report
The refugees forced out of Libya during the war and forced out of Italy during the last months are facing a very terrible situation now in Hamburg. After the closure of the camp for homeless people on April 15^th they were thrown into the streets merciless, humanitarian abuse and rejections during the winter manifested itself in the lives of refugees from Italy in particular. In this situation some of the refugee group met activists of the caravan for the rights of refugees and migrants in Hamburg and an intensive exchange started to look for solutions. As a first step a group of more than 60 refugees together with some caravan and antiracist activists appeared on the church day on may 1st and may 3^rd to draw the attention to the public. With the declaration of the refugee group, banners, films and speeches we approached a broader audience. This activities could possibly rekindle the spirit of many and brought hope to their minds.A first reaction of church organizations was an offer for an interim accommodation in one of their facilities which has to be decided on coming Wednesday by that church council the building belongs to. We hope that they understand the difficult situation and will extend their hands to us - for a first period of recovering and reorganizing our people.
In recent development the site was impacted by members of the caravan and the refugees themselves. Though a lot more work need to be done.
This could be the first step of achievement. Furthermore together with the caravan we continue now to create awareness and solidarity, organizing regular meetings and prepare for a delegation to Berlin on May 11th for the meeting of refugees under the same conditions in whole Germany. We will air our voices and present our views directing to a political solution and to continue the struggle until the mission accomplished. In addition, since numbers of the refugees turned up a lot of activities is going on here as well. But many still refusing to take part believing that a little or nothing can be achieved.
Asuquo Udo, on May 5th, Hamburg
Lampedusa in Hamburg: Flüchtlingsprotest am Kirchentag - Erklärung und Einladung!!3.Mai https://thevoiceforum.org/node/3182/
Declaration:
*Lampedusa in Hamburg:*
*"We're here and we don't go back"*
We are the Refugees coming from Italy with international protection but no rights. We survived the NATO bombings and the civil war in Libya, to be homeless in Italy.
Thousands of us are now in Germany in the same conditions: no housing, no access to social help, no access to the job market. We demand a political solution: "We are here and we don't go back!". We want the right to make a living here in Germany.
If we had found possible conditions in Italy we would stay there. There was no possibility to handle anymore. Italian government in the beginning of 2013 closed the programs of reception - the so-called Emergency North Africa - throwing the people basically on the street.
400-500 euro were given to each refugee with the suggestion to go away.
Where? To northern Europe.
The problem is now on a european level being Germany one of the most powerful states, decision maker for the migrations and asylum policies in Europe. The Dublin System - with the rule that the Refugees "belong" to the first country in Europe they arrive -is aimed to deny the right of the Refugees to choose where they want to live. The same ideology that's behind the Residenzpflicht.
We join the struggle the Refugees in Germany are bringing forwards since almost 20 years within the german asylum system. The fight is one.
*We demand our rights as recognized refugees:*
-*the Dublin system must be ended*
-*housing, social and medical care*
-*working permit and access to education*
/Here in Hamburg we were accomodated in a camp for homeless people during the winter period./
/This camp was closed beginning of April and we were pushed to the streets again. Our actual situation is catastrophic./
/We don't want to live in the streets and forced to street prostitution, drug dealing or other criminal acts./
*We unite, call for solidarity and demand our rights!*
**
Contact:
Asuquo Udo: 0152 146 725 37
Affo Tchassei: 0176-717 402 36
Anane Kofi Mark: 0152-170 045 94