One example we have found of conditions getting worse is that on February 5th 1996, new regulations stopped many asylum seekers claiming money in benefits from the government. This is a serious problem, because asylum seekers are not allowed to get a job and many have no money when they arrive.
The government are also about to bring in a new set of laws affecting refugees, in the Immigration and Asylum Bill. This includes a list of countries which our government says are safe, so anyone coming from these countries is not a refugee because they do not have anything to run from. There are already arguments about whether some of the countries on the list are really safe.
To get some local information, we interviewed two people who sought asylum in Oxford, one who applied in 1992 and the other who applied in 1994. We wanted to see if we could find any evidence of changes in the way refugees are treated here.
Refugees:
Mr. M. Ahmed
Pachtyana Zyar
1) When did you arrive in this country?
Mr. M. Ahmed: I arrived in March 1992
Pachtyana Zyar: I arrived in September 1994
2) Where did you come from?
Mr. M. Ahmed: I came from the capital city of Sudan, Khartoum
Pachtyana Zyar: Afghanistan
3) When did you leave?
Mr. M. Ahmed: I left Sudan on 8th January 1992
Pachtyana Zyar: I left on the 10th January 1994
4) Briefly why did you leave?
Mr. M. Ahmed: My life was at risk, I have been persecuted by the
Muslim Fundamentalists' dictatorial regime which took power
by force (A Coup d'état) from a democratically elected government.
I have been subjected to detention, torture, locked in secret houses
(Ghost Houses) and imprisoned for 15 months.
I was also dismissed
from my job as General Manager of Sudan Railways and Advisor to
the Minister of Transport. Other reasons why I left are because I was
blacklisted and banned from leaving the country
Pachtyana Zyar: I was studying medicine in Kabul at a time when the city
was under repeated bombardment. Ultimately the University was
destroyed and I continued my studies while working at a hospital
that was overflowing with the war wounded.
When my own life was
threatened I sought asylum. The country changed from being modern
with equal opportunities to a country run by heavily armed
fundamentalists. By the time I left I had to wear full Islamic veil and
was subject to much abuse.
5) What were your first experiences in this country?
Mr. M. Ahmed: I was welcomed and assisted greatly by both the British
Government and NGO's like Amnesty, the UN office in London and
the British Red Cross etc. I am used to the country because I had
my training here and all my contacts were through the Railways,
which were built by the British.
Pachtyana Zyar: I handed over my passport at the Home Office to seek
asylum in Britain. I was worried that I would be refused a visa. If this was so I had nowhere to go and no home. Me and my mother got visas. The first problem that we faced was Oxford's housing problem. The council gave us Bed and Breakfast accommodation which we were
told we could have for 4 months.
On Christmas Eve we were told to vacate the flat in 2 days. The council gave us nowhere to go and we could not rent privately as we needed jobs which we were not allowed to have. Luckily we had one friend in Oxford who paid the deposit on a flat and one month's rent in advance.
6) Were you detained? If yes, for how long and how were you treated?
Mr. M. Ahmed: Yes in my country (see 4). But I was not detained in Britain.
Pachtyana Zyar: No we were not.
7) What did you/will you have to do to prove your case?
Mr. M. Ahmed: I had to present all the supporting documents to my claim. I was
lucky though because I found a lot of leaflets and information about my
torture etc. in the offices of Amnesty International.
Pachtyana Zyar: No, our case was based on truth and we had clear evidence to support
our case.
8) Did you/will you receive any help with this? If yes, from whom?
Mr. M. Ahmed: Yes. Amnesty International.
Pachtyana Zyar: We received no help from authorities and no legal advice.
We found it very hard to understand the forms and what
answers were required. As our English was bad we sought
help about mistakes.
9) When did you declare refugee status?
Mr. M. Ahmed: January 1993
Pachtyana Zyar: We were recognised as refugees in September 1995
10) Would you follow the same course of action again if you knew
what you do now?
Mr. M. Ahmed: This would depend on the conditions of the time, but I think I would
follow the same course of action.
Pachtyana Zyar: Don't know
11) Would you say that refugees in general are welcome in Oxford?
Mr. M. Ahmed Yes
Pachtyana Zyar: Oxford council was unhelpful with housing but Oxpens college for Further Education was warm and friendly. They offer free lessons in English and they were a great help in interpreting official letters (also applies to 12).
12) What was your own personal experience in this area?
Mr. M. Ahmed: My case was a special one. I have been most welcomed and greatly assisted.
13) How would you improve the system regarding refugees?
Mr. M. Ahmed: There is a comprehensive programme for this adopted by Oxford Refugee Council concerning all refugees' needs and problems. Implementing this programme correctly would help to improve the system.
Pachtyana Zyar: The local authorities need to be more understanding and offer more help. The definition of refugee needs to be clear so that people know where they are where documents and official status is concerned. People should remember that asylum seekers just ask for direction not for trouble.
Is the welcome getting worse for refugees in your community, or are they getting more help now than they used to? Write and let us know, at cherwell@rmplc.co.uk