PALESTINIAN REFUGEES IN NORWAY ------------------------------

PALESTINSKE FLYKTNINGER I NORGE

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THE PEOPLE IN PALESTINERLEIREN

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PORTRAITS BY TINE POPPE

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UDI RESTRICTIONS IN 2009:PALESTINIAN REFUGEES

In July 2009 the Ministry of Labour recognized UDI’s suggestion from 05.05.2009 for asylum seekers from The West Bank and Gaza. From this date the general return protection for asylum seekers from the West Bank and Gaza was canceled.

From UDI praksisnotat, www.udiregelverk.no

RESTRICTIONS PALESTINIAN REFUGEES

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From collective to individual treatment

Before 2009:

90 % protection rate

After 2009:

20 % protection rate

The UDI suggested that the changes would lead to a rejection rate of about 50%. However, statistics show that the real number for 2010 was a 74% rejection rate .

UDI estimates that 40% of the Palestinian asylum seekers to Norway come from Gaza and 60% from The West Bank (including camps and countries outside Palestine).

PALESTINIAN REFUGEES IN NORWAY

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• In 2010, 1032 stateless were registered in asylum seekers’ reception centres. Out of these, 305 had received a final rejection and were told to leave the country.

• In 2011 the number of stateless was 778 (UDI).

• Palestinians constitute a very small part of asylum seekers coming to Norway

• They are easily integrated in the Norwegian society.

• Rarely visible in crime statistics (SSB)

REASONS FOR REJECTIONS

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• Young men who can work

• Torture not systematic enough

• Torture might not happen again

• Settlers might not attack you again

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NORWEGIAN POLICY IN BREACH WITH UN RECOMMENDATIONS

NORWEGIAN AUTHORITIES ARE NO LONGER FOLLOWING THE UNHCR RECOMMENDATIONS, THAT SAY THAT ASYLUM

SEEKERS FROM THE OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN AREAS SHOULD BE GRANTED PROTECTION. THE CHANGE IN

NORWEGIAN POLICY DOES NOT REFLECT CHANGES IN THE SITUATION IN THE PALESTINIAN AREAS.

EVEN THOUGH THE SECURITY SITUATION HAS BECOME SLIGHTLY BETTER, THE HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION HAS

BECOME WORSE.

FROM RETUR TIL HVA? NORSK PRAKSIS OVERFOR STATSLØSE PALESTINSKE ASYLSØKERE 2011, NOAS

UN SAYS...

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“Under the current circumstances of generalized violence in Gaza and the West Bank, no returns of Palestinian refugees to these areas should be conducted”.

From UN recommendations, UNHCR 2001 and www.udiregelverk.no

WHAT WE ARE ASKING FOR

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• An immediate stop of deportations of Palestinians

• A just treatment of the asylum cases

• Protection of Palestinian refugees in Norway

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UDI SAYS...• «The security situation in the Palestinian areas has fluctuated between war and a

reasonable situation.

• «UNHCR has not changed their recommendations since 2001, even though the situation has changed for the better.»

• «Innvandringsregulerende hensyn» (immigration regulating considerations)

From UDI praksisnotat, www.udiregelverk.no, vedtak fra UDI, NOAS

GAZA AND THE WEST BANK

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"The worst years for human rights for citizens of Palestine“From UN report 2010 / 2011

• The Israeli occupation

• Blockade of Gaza.

• The West Bank: Violent harassment by extreme, illegal settlers.

• The Wall - covering 9% of The West Bank.

• More than 600 checkpoints in The West Bank.

• Derived persecution.

• Gaza: Limited access to food and medication. 95% of all water is not clean enough to drink.

OFFICIAL TRAVEL ADVICE FROM THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

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Citizens of Norway are adviced not to travel to the Palestinian areas if not necessary. Travel to Gaza is discouraged. (www.landsider.no)

In 2011 Norway carried out forced deportations of 101 Palestinian refugees. About 140 returned «voluntarily» to Gaza or The West Bank. (PU)

Why the double standards?

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HOW WE WORK• Supporters

• Organizations

• Politicians

• Artists

• what it feels like not to be free, and not to have a voice?what it feels like spending your life fighting for your freedom?what it feels like to have a voice that only you can hear?what it feels like to face reality?

by Ashraf Khofash, inhabitant Palestinerleir

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ART AND PALESTINERLEIREN• Artists in Residence

• Poesifestival

• Oslo Wolrld Music Festival

• Advent på Henie Onstad

• Papirløse fortellinger at Nationaltheatret

• Kunstneriske pass til papirløse palestinere

• State of Palestine

• Litteratur på Blå – political debate in Palestinerleir

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WHY ART?• Art for art’s sake – artistic value

• Art is a powerful language

• New ways of expressing ourselves

• Reaching out on a personal level

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The Palestinian refugee camp in Hausmanngate is the first of its kind in Norway.

The 6th of April is set to be the last day of the peaceful demonstration. One year after it was

first started.

"ALL THE HEARTS OF THE PEOPLE ARE MY IDENTITY. SO TAKE AWAY MY PASSPORT!"

Thank you!

www.palestinerleir.no