Solidarity with refugees - always and especially now!

Spatial confinement, shared sanitary facilities and irregular health care increase the risk of developing corona. The psychologically stressful situation increases the potential for conflict and the victims here are mostly girls *, women * and LGBTQIA people. On International Refugee Day ”we draw your attention to the fact that, despite“ social distancing ”, basic and human rights must be guaranteed for EVERYONE.

Especially during this Corona crisis, refugees are exposed to different dangers. The reports on the situation in camps such as Moria (on the Greek island of Lesbos) or on Malta show once again that the EU and its member states hardly offer people in need of protection. Compared to the number of refugees in Moria (approx. 30.000), the Federal Republic has only taken in around 50 unaccompanied minors! The often precarious and unworthy conditions are irresponsible with regard to Corona, as people are forced to live together in a confined space - which of course multiplies the risk of infection. In Münster, Dresden, Chemnitz and Leipzig, the courts have allowed applicants to leave the mass accommodation for self-protection - regardless of whether there is already an infection there.

The Council of Europe Committee on the Istanbul Convention is also observing an alarming increase in domestic violence around the world, including in Europe. The situation under Covid-19 is particularly frightening for refugee girls *, women * and LGBTQIA people. Ban on contact, curfew and also the residence obligation or residence requirements endanger the safety and life of the refugee women * affected by violence, as they often have to wait weeks or months for decisions by the authorities.

"Despite the constant easing, the situation for refugee women *, girls * and LGBTQIA people who live in camps and homes remains particularly delicate", emphasizes Dr. Delal Atmaca, Managing Director of DaMigra eV, “You often belong to the group that is particularly in need of protection anyway. The focus should be on Europe's borders, but also in Germany. Decentralized accommodation and gender-sensitive hearing procedures are now more imperative than ever. "

Refugee girls *, women * and LGBTQIA people are not allowed to sit in the penalty box in the debates about Corona. You are part of our society and it is up to us to take responsibility and act in solidarity. It is the duty of politics to act responsibly for everyone, especially in times of crisis.

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