BERLIN (RealistиEnglish). Germany is evicting hundreds of Afghans to make way for a large flood of Ukrainian war refugees who are arriving in the country. US-based Foreign Policy magazine recounted the story of helpless Afghan families which arrived in Germany as refugees fleeing the Taliban rule but were quite recently expelled by the German government to make room for incoming Ukrainian refugees.
Mariam Arween, 33, a public figure and refugee from Afghanistan, arrived in Berlin at the end of January with the help of the German government, fleeing from the Taliban. For two years in a row, she received threats.
The article says: “The knock on the door came when Mariam Arween was having breakfast with her husband and two small daughters. An unexpected visitor—a social worker—stood outside, bringing even more unexpected news: The family would have to clear out their home for newly arriving refugees from Ukraine. No questions, no negotiation, just “out within 24 hours,” they were told.
“The evictions purposefully weren’t publicized. Some people had lived in their homes for years and were ripped out of their social structures, including children who were moved to locations far from their respective schools.” said Tareq Alaows, a board member of the Berlin Refugee Council, a collaboration of different organizations helping to improve conditions for refugees in the German capital and making sure their rights are adhered to.
According to him, the government justifies the eviction of Afghans by the fact that they were required to leave the so-called “arrival centers”, where they should stay for a short time anyway. But some families have lived there for years, while other families have not lived in arrival centers.
“The living conditions of some people have improved, but most were afraid to talk about it, fearing that it might affect their immigration status.” he said.
Since the beginning of Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine, at least 316 thousand Ukrainian refugees have been registered in Germany.
On April 19, UN Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees Kelly Clements expressed hope that the solidarity shown by the residents of European countries towards Ukrainians will extend to other refugees who have been expelled from their homes and found themselves on the European continent.
“Despite the generally positive reaction that we are currently seeing, I am alarmed by reports of discrimination, violence and xenophobia against third—country nationals fleeing Ukraine,” she said. — Discrimination based on race, nationality, citizenship or migration status is unacceptable. I call on all States to ensure the provision of protection and immediate assistance to refugees on an equal basis. IOM will continue to monitor the situation.”
