An open letter to the German Federal Parliament concerning Residenzpflicht
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http://www.humanrights.de/congress Jena, 10. Mai 2000
Das Deutsche Bundesparlament,
Berlin.
AN OPEN LETTER TO THE GERMAN FEDERAL PARLIAMENT
From 20. April to 1.May, 2000 refugees from 40 countries drawn from
four continents and human rights activists and organisations, participated
in the Caravan Refugee Congress in Jena, Germany. The Congress was organised
by “Die Karawane - For The Rights of Refugees and Migrants“. The participants
in the congress among other numerous problems facing refu-gees living in
Germany, took particular exception to the “Landkreis” law -which restricts
the movement of a refugee to his area of residence only- and unanimously
agreed that the Land-kreis rule, breaks every notion of a democratic and
civil society, as it makes law and order for the refugees a “terror“ instead
of protection. Refugees are often, through this law, subjected to criminal
controls and humiliation by the security agents.
It was also observed that the general conventions which have been historically
important for the protection of the rights of refugees is constantly broken
by this practice. And by implicati-on, the landkreis issue, reminds the
refugee that they will not be treated as useful human beings capable of
contributing to the economic well being of the society where they have
found themselves, but as liabilities.
As a result of this observation, the congress seriously frowned at the
law restricting the mo-vement of refugees and resolved that this singular
but all important demand be made to the Parliament of the Federal Republic
Germany to abolish the law without further delay.
This is because the present situation as it stands clearly violates:
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The fundamental rights of the refugees as human beings with the right and
freedom of movement.
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The restriction policy which is popularly referred to in refugee circles
as “Essen, Schlafen“ has and is causing a lot of mental and psychological
problems to the refugees, as a lot of them, as a consequence of a boring
restriction to a particular environment and place, have developed serious
mental and psychological problems.
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This restriction has also increased the incidence of police criminalisation
of the refugees, as the natural instinct to move from one place to the
other has led to more police controls and arrests of the refugees in Germany.
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The deliberate attempt to segregate the refugees from the larger society
by placing them in isolated camps in the hearts of forests (without
mobility in most cases) and the middle of the sea in ships is also seen
as a supporting strategy of the movement-restriction policy of the German
state.
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It also to a very great extent destroys the social life of the refugees
in terms of making friends and other forms of relationships. And this to
a large extent has contributed to making integration as well as the richness
of cultural intermixture impossible.
-
It practically forbids political engagement and particpation outside the
restricted residence of the refugee. This, of course, is a flagrant violation
of the German constitution which guarantees the individual freedom of speech,
expression and association. This is also a form of political persecution
in a subtle way, as most of us had to flee our homes because of our political
engagements and opinions.
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It is unimaginable that Germany; generally regarded as the third most developed
country in the world and the most developed economy in Europe, many law
abiding, innocent people who just happen to be refugees cannot leave their
immediate habitation (some re-fugees are restricted to their houses e.g
Ansbach, Nürnberg), less they become criminals.
With this open letter, we are sending forth a passionate appeal to the
honourable German Federal Parliament, to see that the restriction of the
movement of refugees living in Germany is addressed without further delay
by repealling the obnoxious landkreis law and restoring the refugees rights
of freedom of movement.
The participants at the end of the congress, were highly optimistic
that the congress would open a new chapter in the treatment of refugees
in Germany.
While awaiting an expedited action on this issue by the parliament we
are determined to continue the peaceful but consistent fight until the
landkreis law is repealed.
Sinceerely yours, on behalf of the entire refugees and participants
signed
Sunny Omwenyeke
Secretary, Karawane Refugee Congress Organising Committee
