| Campaign
to Abolish the Residence Obligation Law in Germany
While
Germany admits more asylum seekers than any other EU country its
treatment of asylum seekers and other migrants has long been among
the most oppressive in Europe. Supporters of immigration and asylum
rights in Britain can learn from the experience of migrants in Germany
as the development of asylum and immigration control in that country
is often followed by other EU states, including the UK, some years
later. Here we re-produce some details of a campaign by German anti-racist
groups to overturn the residence obligation law enacted in Germany
in 1982.
The "Residenzpflicht"
(residence obligation) law, from 1982, concerns asylum seekers and
people who canât be deported because of the situation in their home
countries (oppression, civil war, neo-liberal colonisation, economical
militarism and aggressive global capitalist policies).
Asylum
seekers and refugees are not allowed to leave the area they are
allocated to. If they wish to leave their allocated district they
have to make an application giving detailed reasons. Every application
costs between DM10 and DM15, from a monthly allowance of only DM80.
Asylum seekers in Germany are not allowed to take employment. If
they succeed in obtaining permission to travel they must carry the
letter of authorisation with them at all times. If they are caught
by the police without written permission to be in the district they
face fines of between DM20 and DM5,000. If they cannot pay the fine
they face a prison sentence followed by an accelerated deportation.
To aggravate
the residence obligation refugee camps are often situated in the
middle of forests or on ships as a deliberate attempt to segregate
them from the larger society. Friends, family members and relatives
are often allocated to different places or it is made impossible
for them to meet or to live together. Refugees are put under psychological
pressure by telling them, for example, that they are a risk to the
German public. They are forbidden from taking employment
Social
contacts, political activities and participation in the cultural
life of German society is made virtually impossible for refugees.
So far the "Residenzpficht" is unique within Europe. In no other
country such an unbelievable restriction of the right to freedom
of movement, exists. UNHCR protested against the implementation
of this law which also enforces the accommodation in camps and pointed
out the inhumane treatment of refugees in Germany.
At the
international refugee congress in Jena, in April, a campaign for
the abolition of this law was launched. Various actions will take
place this year to lay emphasis on the demand for this lawâs repeal.
Elements
of the "Residenzpficht" can be found in the British government's
1999 Immigration & Asylum Act. It is in all our interests to
support the call for the abolition of the German residence obligation
law.
How can
you help? Send e-mails, faxes and letters to the German Parliament
to demand the immediate repeal of these laws, to:
Minister
of the Interior Otto Schily
Alt-Moabit
101
10559
Berlin
Fax: (01888)
681-5522
Fight
against the residence obligation and for free choice of residence
ö NOW!
Stop
deportation of refugees ö NOW!
Repeal
the work indictment ö NOW!
Abolish
all racist special laws ö NOW!
For more
Information contact: The VOICE Africa Forum, Schillergþ§chen 5,
07745 Jena
Tel: 03641
665214. Fax: 03641 423795/420270.
E-mail:
Th _VOICE_ Jena@gmx.de,
Web site:
www.humanrights.de/congress
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