We support the hardship application from L. from Senegal

Because her friend L. from Senegal was facing the threat of deportation, activists from the Friends of Refugee Solidarity are currently supporting him in his hardship application.

Press release from the Circle of Friends

Monday, October 23rd, 2023, 2:00 p.m

L. reports on his situation: “My home is in the south of Senegal, in the Casamance region. This is a region that is very neglected by the government, between us and the capital region lies the country of Gambia, and there are strong independence movements. There was no school where I could properly learn the official language, French. I was only taught at a Koranic school - I taught most of it myself: languages, arithmetic, geography... I learned a lot while on the run and through the media. I am very curious! I also taught myself German.

My family's living situation was extremely bad, and people were constantly being attacked and arrested to fight the independence movement. It was these repressions and the hopelessness of improvement that made me leave my family and friends behind and venture on the dangerous journey to Europe across the Mediterranean. I don't want to think about this trip anymore - what I experienced there robs me of sleep.

It was always my goal to work in Germany - what I didn't know was that there is practically no chance here if you come from Senegal. Classified as a “safe country of origin,” Senegalese receive no asylum, no German lessons, and no work permits. For the new right of residence, I missed the entry deadline by exactly three weeks.

I spent a total of five years in various refugee camps in Baden-Württemberg, then I came to a small village. To my great luck, I got my first chance there - a work trial in a company. I was finally able to show off my skills! The company immediately offered me a job and contacted the authorities - but I was not given permission to work. Apparently my passport was missing. I've never had a passport in my life! Another big hurdle that I finally overcome. But when I was finally able to present the passport, the authorities wrote succinctly: Thank you for the passport, which we have been waiting for two years. A work permit cannot be issued.

Now the hopelessness of my years of effort became clear to me. I wanted to despair, but I didn't give up: Fortunately, I had now made contact with the refugee solidarity group of friends. There I can connect with other refugees, we exchange our experiences, support each other and also make international contacts. It is particularly important to me that everyone has the permission to work and learn. It's not nice to live as a recipient of help and be reviled for it.

With the help of my German friends from the circle of friends, I submitted a hardship application - and now I'm waiting and hoping to finally get another chance! I have lost six years and would like to finally arrive, work, become a useful member of society.”

Friends of Refugee Solidarity in SI, Regional Group South – www.freunde-fluechtlingssolidaritaet.org