"Equal rights for all! - Or are others more equal?"
The difficult situation of third-country refugees from Ukraine. An interview with Omer Idrissa Ouedraogo, Migration Officer at Deutsche Aidshilfe.
Since Russia's war against Ukraine, many people have been on the run. Some people have had to leave the country head over heels. A terrible situation for all refugees. The situation is particularly difficult for Black and People of Color (abbreviation BPoC; people who are not white) who lived in Ukraine and have now also had to leave the country because of the war. Werner Bock spoke to Omer Idrissa Ouedraogo, Migration Officer at Deutsche Aidshilfe, about why this is the case and what the consequences are.
Despite the tragedy of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, there has also been a lot of support. Many countries have declared their willingness to take in refugees from Ukraine and many people want to help. However, there are also reports that show that the support is not the same for all those seeking protection. Can you tell us something about this?
Many European countries, including Germany, agreed to take in Ukrainian refugees as unbureaucratically as possible because it was clear that help was needed quickly. For example, Ukrainians were able to enter Germany without a visa and were given free train tickets.
However, there are also reports and videos that show that black people and people of color (who lived in Ukraine because they were studying or working there, for example) were treated worse. For example, it was made more difficult or even refused for them to leave the country, although some even had a Ukrainian passport. There are also videos showing BPoC being pushed off trains by white people.
Unequal treatment in many forms
Unequal treatment came in many forms! The documents of BPoC were questioned, black people experienced increased controls by the police and border officials. Such experiences are terrible because they are re-traumatizing. At Positive Encounters, students from Nigeria and other English-speaking countries who studied in Ukraine told me that they were detained for two days in a cramped room, with one meal a day and little water to drink. They were shocked that they were treated in such a discriminatory and undignified way.
The unequal treatment of refugees with a Ukrainian passport and refugees with a different nationality continues in Germany. Can you tell us anything about this?
People with a Ukrainian passport have a good residence title from the outset, namely a residence permit. This means that adults have the right to work or claim benefits from the Job Center. Children can attend school straight away, and access to the healthcare system is open from the outset. So there is a good opportunity for integration right from the start and it conveys the message: You are welcome here! This is legally regulated in § 24 of the Residence Act.
The legal situation for refugees from Ukraine who do not have a Ukrainian passport - we are talking about third-country nationals here (with the exception of Syria, Afghanistan and Eritrea, whose countries are classified as "safe countries" by Germany) - is much more difficult. They are initially only allowed to stay in Germany until August 31. The principle of case-by-case examination applies to them.
"We are not one of them."
In practice, this means that third-country nationals are advised by the authorities to apply for asylum. This means: the risk of rejection and an uncertain residence status. In addition, there is no right to work and only limited benefits in the healthcare system. The message that comes across to the group of third-country nationals is as follows: The others are better than us, we don't belong. This rejection can be re-traumatizing. The hope that things are better and fairer in Germany is disappointed. A bitter message remains: We are not welcome here.
What recommendations do you have for third-country nationals from Ukraine when they come to Germany?
Third-country nationals should definitely contact migration advice centers or AIDS support services before they go to the authorities. Legal advice is also useful. It can then be decided what the next steps are. It is not advisable to apply for asylum because there may be better options.
Third-country nationals should always turn to migration advice centers or aid organizations before going to the authorities.