By Baghdadhope
That the air was changing for Iraqis seeking asylum in Sweden was already clear since last year. To prove it was not only a poll commissioned by the Swedish Integration Board which showed that one Swedish out of four would vote for a party supporting a restriction of immigrants’ rights, and that the percentage of those in favour of a native protectionistic policy in the fields of job opportunities, housing and assistance had risen from 12 to 14%, but also the words of the Minister for Immigration, Tobias Billstrom, who had described as "strange and ironic" that Sweden - although not involved in the war against Iraq, not having been part of the anti-Saddam coalition, having repeatedly spoken in the international arena in favour of peace, and being geographically far from the conflict - accepted the largest number of Iraqi refugees, and who made it clear in no uncertain terms how it was not possible for the Scandinavian country "to help everyone".
In July 2007, came the confirmation of this new course: the rules for asylum seekers changed, Iraq was considered no longer a country at war and therefore it was decided to take into consideration, and judging on a case-by-case basis, only those who could be able to prove to be really in danger of life in the event of a forced repatriation. Throughout 2007, however, the rule was not applied, or at least not in a strict way, and the statistics prove it: 36,207 of the 18,550 asylum seekers were from Iraqis (8,951 in 2006 and fewer than 3,000 in 2005) and the asylum was granted to the 93% of them. Making predictions for what will happen in 2008 is certainly premature, but it is not very encouraging to know that in the month of January only to the 42% of Iraqis asylum has been granted.
In July 2007, came the confirmation of this new course: the rules for asylum seekers changed, Iraq was considered no longer a country at war and therefore it was decided to take into consideration, and judging on a case-by-case basis, only those who could be able to prove to be really in danger of life in the event of a forced repatriation. Throughout 2007, however, the rule was not applied, or at least not in a strict way, and the statistics prove it: 36,207 of the 18,550 asylum seekers were from Iraqis (8,951 in 2006 and fewer than 3,000 in 2005) and the asylum was granted to the 93% of them. Making predictions for what will happen in 2008 is certainly premature, but it is not very encouraging to know that in the month of January only to the 42% of Iraqis asylum has been granted.
Yet it is a hope that we can read in the words of Monsignor Philip Najim, Procurator of the Patriarchate of Babylon of the Chaldeans to the Holy See, and Apostolic Visitor in Europe who, interviewed by Baghdadhope about these figures, said that they may be due to the fact that according to the information he has the Swedish government, considering the large number of Iraqis who arrived in the country in recent years, is setting up an office dedicated exclusively to them, and this may have slowed the pace of the process of the asylum applications.
"It’s true” adds Mgr.Najim "that we must add to this the different approach of the Swedish government that considers the situation more dangerous in the centre and the south of Iraq than in the north, and as valid asylum applications supported by evidence of real threat to life. In any case, Svezia is a country attentive to the needs of Iraqi refugees and I take this opportunity to publicly thank its government that, despite the obvious difficulties that this migratory flow entails, does everything to welcome them providing language schools, housing and job facilities.” Certainly, as confirmed by Mgr.Najim’s words, no reproach can be moved to Sweden even if the carnage in the two markets in Baghdad last Friday makes anyone doubt that: "Iraq is no longer at war." But certainly all other countries that did not and are not doing enough for Iraqi refugees, especially the United States, can be blamed.
In this regard data speak clearly: in 2007 the American State Department declared its willingness to accept 7,000 Iraqis during the fiscal year in course (Sept-Sept)but in reality only 1608 legally entered American borders. For 2008 the figure is expected to climb to 12,000 but in the first four months only 1332 permits were issued. Last year, Ellen Sauerbrey, assistant secretary of the Department of State's Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, said that one of the reasons why the proportion of eligible Iraqis had been lower than expected was to be found in the rules imposed after 9/11 attacks that require the Department of Homeland Security to examine the cases of refugees one by one. In the light of this data it can be said that Iraqis, although having suffered for a war declared on the basis of false accusations to the government of Saddam Hussein of directing the attacks of 9/11, are still paying a very high price. How long Western governments will pretend not to see? How long Sweden will remain alone in this struggle?
In this regard data speak clearly: in 2007 the American State Department declared its willingness to accept 7,000 Iraqis during the fiscal year in course (Sept-Sept)but in reality only 1608 legally entered American borders. For 2008 the figure is expected to climb to 12,000 but in the first four months only 1332 permits were issued. Last year, Ellen Sauerbrey, assistant secretary of the Department of State's Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, said that one of the reasons why the proportion of eligible Iraqis had been lower than expected was to be found in the rules imposed after 9/11 attacks that require the Department of Homeland Security to examine the cases of refugees one by one. In the light of this data it can be said that Iraqis, although having suffered for a war declared on the basis of false accusations to the government of Saddam Hussein of directing the attacks of 9/11, are still paying a very high price. How long Western governments will pretend not to see? How long Sweden will remain alone in this struggle?
