Women in Exile & Friends

It has been a question of when and not if, corona virus would find its way to lagers in Brandenburg too. Separate containers have been set on the compounds and some of the refugees have been under quarantine. The first three cases from the refugees who have been quaranted in Doberlug-Kirchhain have now tested positive. The refugees are now living in fear and scared of their lives because they are aware, there is very little they can do to prevent themselves of being infected with the covid-19.

So far, they are supposed to wear masks, each has been presented with one because they aren`t more in the moment. They are still allowed to go into the city, if necessary but only in a group of two persons. They have been warned of being fined if the police finds them breaking the social distance law of 1,5m. The camp will not be in quarantine as a whole unless many refugees in the camp test positive.

Organisations working with refugees have been demanding for the closure of lagers for many years and the demands have got intensified since the break of the covid-19. Press releases from different organisations in Berlin and Brandenburg and German wide have been focusing on the closure of the camps and moving the refugees to alternative spaces. After police invaded the dention camp in Suhl (Thüringen), it was obvious for the refugees no solution could be found. Physical distancing is impossible in the often crowded way they are accommodated and the sharing of the amenities such as bathrooms, toilets and kitchens or dining halls.

Doberlug-Kirchhain should be closed immediately! Close all Camps!!

We, Women in Exile & Friends, will exchange information about the Corona crisis together with the women in the Camps, accompany and empower each other. We will do this digital.

That is what we want to do:

• We share our knowledge about free and easily accessible video conferencing facilities in telephone conversations. Since there is very often no Wlan in the rooms, we will need money for the mobile data of the women.
• We break the isolation by sharing knowledge. The women lived in isolation in the camps even before the “social-distancing” through Corona. We want to empower ourselves to demand solid information, transparency and the right to have a say from the authorities.
• We exchange information on preventive measures to prevent or slow down the spread of the corona virus. Even though we realise that this is impossible in overcrowded camps. The problem is a structural one and cannot be solved by washing hands. Racism and mass housing is the problem and this can now have catastrophic consequences.

The first part of the campaign will be to contact the women by telephone, explaining to them how to take part in a video conferencing workshop.

The second part will be the digital workshop where we will discuss the impact of the Corona crisis in the refugee community.

Events are being cancelled all over the country, schools are closed, authorities advise people to move away from crowded rooms to keep away.

But this information and discussions are in German language. Refugees who have only a limited understanding of the German language are dependent on social media or friends in order to be informed. The refugees from the camps in Eisenhüttenstadt, Wünsdorf, Doberlug-Kirchhain and of course from all others, smaller homes in Berlin/Brandenburg, don´t get the seriousness of the situation from reliable sources.

To date, the authorities have not provided the refugees with any information about the handling of Covid-19 in the camps. In dealing with the pandemic in the camps, the refugees have neither a say nor is their transparency from the officials.

The Covid-19 pandemic will affect refugees in the camps on a massive scale.

Refugees in Germany, access to health care is hindered by the Asylbewerberleistungsgesetz, that discriminates them: first
social authorities are consulted on whether medical bills are paid.
In Suhl/Türingen, the entire initial reception facility
quarantined after one confirmed case of corona infection
(about 500 people). This will be fatal to the health of many people.

Economic health crises can increase authoritarianism and the Scapegoat search – the racist attacks on us Refugees will rise if no intervention is made. Do European governments think about the consequences that arise when someone from these vulnerable groups tested positive for Covid-19?
Refugees live in mass accommodation throughout Europe. Despite the pandemic there are still deportations to some European countries.
Police and right wing groups at the border between Turkey and Greece shall use all means necessary to remove refugees from crossing the border.

Government politicians – instead of talking about the immediate evacuation of the camps and access to statutory health insurance – think first about the economic Consequences of the pandemic. Europeans complain that Trump does not allow them to travel to the USA, but only allows the to permit the movement of goods. That’s what we refugees from the global south experience from the global north for a long time. We are denied freedom of movement, but the free flow of goods is approved.

It it’s time to widen the #neighborhood challenge. Not only white, German neighbours* have the right to care and Health, also refugees.

Therefore we, Women in Exile & Friends demand:

• Multilingual information, transparency of the authorities and the right of the refugees to have a say in initial receptions centers and other camps.
• As fast as possible, decentralized accommodation and closing of the camps
• access to the statutory health insurance
• unconditional basic income.

All this would change the current situation to the better.

Press contact: Women in Exile
Phone: 01521 3070280 / info@women-in-exile.net

The International Women`s Day history is celebrated for different reasons in different regions. This is why, we from Women in Exile and Friends will this year, like every year, reclaim the streets with other feminist groups because we are many, we are strong and we fight together.

We join women, lesbians, inter*, trans* & non-binary people around the world, take to the streets and fight for our rights against all kinds of discrimination and violence.

We live in a patriarchal society with male dominated structure where women are discriminated socially and politically. We call for participation feminist and solidarity men along with the women on this day. Together we will make the world will be a better place.

On Friday, 21 February 2020 at 7.30 pm our History Salon in the Beginenhof Erkelenzdamm 51/ common room – 10999 Berlin will be dealing with a current topic: “Testimonials from the uterus” Film about the health care for refugee women by and with Women in Exile and among others with Petra Bentz from the Feminist Women’s Health Centre e.V. in Berlin

In the film, three refugee women talk about their different experiences with their health problems and how the health system treats them as asylum seekers. Experts who support refugees also share their thoughts on what it means to be a non-citizen in order to gain access to the German health system. The film lasts about 30 minutes and is in German, or with German subtitles.

Women from the initiative of Women in Exile, which was founded in Brandenburg in 2002 to fight for their rights, will come to us from Potsdam, show the film, report on their work and be available for discussion (Moderation: Gisela Notz)