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has 3 downloads
3
- Convenor:
-
John R. Campbell
(School of Oriental & African Studies)
- Location:
- Rm 118
- Start time:
- 16 April, 2009 at
Time zone: Europe/London
- Session slots:
- 1
Short Abstract:
Long Abstract:
Accepted papers:
Session 1
Why do asylum seekers fail? Views from the margins of British society
Solomon Afework (SOAS)
Paper short abstract:
not used
Paper long abstract:
The views of the British state on this issue are so well known as to not require repeating. This paper looks at this issue from the perspective of those individuals who sought and failed to obtain asylum and also the perspective, where relevant, of refugee organizations. Significant caveats need to be made in regard to the views of 'failed asylum seekers', most notably few of those we interviewed had the faintest idea of how the asylum system worked even as their claim was being processed, and very few spoke sufficient English to understand must less respond adequately to the questions asked by lawyers and officials. Finally, many of the individuals we talked to were reflecting back on a process that occurred years ago; their ability to recall details was clouded by a life of enforced destitution and, just occasionally, by an unwillingness to divulge too much. Nevertheless their candor in answering questions about their asylum case is remarkable and their answers, which conform to a common pattern, strongly suggests that 'failure' to obtain asylum is as much a product of an adversarial system that disadvantages asylum applicants as it is a result of the attempts by individuals to enhance the prospects of their success.
Reconciling expectations and reality
Elhum Shakerifar (Goldsmiths)
Paper short abstract:
not used
Paper long abstract:
I will use the photography of two young Iraqi asylum seekers as a mirror in which we can clearly read the problem of reconciling the expectations of a country and the realities one finds upon arrival. An important process of auto-ethnographic work is conveyed through their lens and it is one that I would like to explore in this paper with regards to traditionally anticipated ideas of refugee and asylum seeker's experiences.
The road to safety is often long and dangerous and for young people undertaking such travels, there is little realization of what lies ahead except that it must be something 'better'. Realities of legal issues, social services, as well as the negative views many people in Britain attach to the words 'refugee' or 'asylum seeker' are all obstacles to confront upon arrival. However, more unexpected are the mixed feelings one faces regarding those who remain 'back home' - sporadic correspondence with family in war zones is hardly a place to complain about the realities of life in the UK, rather, it is through these conversations that myths are often propagated, through the simple assurance that 'everything is fine'.
A strong sense of duality pervades the work of these two 18 year old photographers, who arrived in London in 2006. They explore their new home in relation to the home left behind, they photograph their daily realities and illustrate through this process their need to recreate the idea of belonging and to project their findings back to others.
In search of protection: separated children seeking asylum
Mekdes Alemayehu (Trinity Centre) Yesim Deveci (Trinity Centre)
Paper short abstract:
Separated children applying for asylum in the UK are engaged in a complex, legal and heavily bureaucratic system. This paper explores their experience of this process.
Paper long abstract:
Separated children applying for asylum in the UK are engaged in a complex, legal and heavily bureaucratic system. This paper explores their experience of this process. Situated within the relevant legal frameworks that offer young separated refugees protection as children, as asylum seekers and as children separated from their families and drawing upon research undertaken with a small sample group, this paper seeks to provide an insight into the lived realities of separated children claiming asylum. The authors examine the young people's experiences of the asylum process including their contact with the Home Office, legal representation, the asylum determination process and issues relating to migration control. These issues are then considered through the lens of the themes which emerge; culture of disbelief, security and criminalisation, waiting and lack of understanding.