Two Afghan asylum seekers have been on hunger strike in Helsinki from the 10th of September. For the first two weeks there were three hunger strikers. By going on hunger strike they are opposing their deportation to Afghanistan, for they have reason to believe that their lives are in danger there.
The Finnish Immigration Service has refused to grant asylum to
them. The hunger striking men have appealed to the Administrative Court
of Helsinki about the negative response to their asylum claims but fear
that the appeal will be rejected.
The hunger striking men are
prosecuted in Afghanistan because of political activity. One of them has
been tortured. Their close relatives have been murdered recently. The
background of their individual prosecution in Afghanistan is the war
that has been going on in the country for years and the dysfunction of
the current government. Ordinary people have no way of getting
protection neither against prosecution carried out by the Taliban nor
against that carried out by state officials.
The men have
demonstrated and camped in front of the Finnish Parliament for over five
weeks now. Their health condition is relatively good at the moment but
is worsening all the time. They have both suffered of acute pains and
occasional attacks of illness.
The hunger strikers’ protest has
gained attention and many responses. A group of Lutheran priests as well
as the Occupy Finland –movement have demonstrated on their behalf. A
few MP’s have pled for them. Many Afghan and Iranian asylum seekers and
residents have offered their support or willingness to join the protest
camp.
Grassroots activists from the Vapaa liikkuvuus (Free
Movement) –network and other individuals have supported the men in
practical issues and in spreading word about their struggle. We have
made sure that two supporters stay overnight at the protest camp every
night in case of emergency. During the days we spend a lot of time at
the tents discussing together and monitoring the men’s health condition.
In addition we get needed supplies and try to arrange proper health
care for the strikers.
Our common goal is to broaden the struggle and to affect the rights of all asylum seekers.
The
Free Movement –network demands that international protection to be
granted to the men. The Finnish migration authorities have made a wrong
decision and they must right it immediately.
The hunger strikers
have had to live in inhumane circumstances in Europe for many years.
They have entered the EU via Greece which doesn’t have even the most
basic asylum system.
Finland does not send asylum seekers back to
Greece. It does, however, deport tens of asylum seekers to Afghanistan
each year to areas that have been labelled safe.
These are the hunger strikers’ demands:
Stop deportations to Afghanistan – The country is not safe and refugees coming from there must be granted protection in Europe.
An end to years of waiting – Asylum requests have to be processed quickly and justly.
No
to the Dublin treaty – Deportations inside the EU must be stopped and
asylum seekers must be granted the right to choose in which country they
request asylum.
We are thankful for any information on your
country’s policies regarding Afghan asylum seekers as well as on the
asylum seekers’ struggles for their rights. We are also willing to work
on international action to end deportations to Afghanistan and other
means of co-operation.
In solidarity,
the Free Movement –network, Helsinki
www.vapaaliikkuvuus.net