Instead of contributing to a humanitarian solution for the group “Lampedusa in Hamburg” the senate rather wants to promote the racist sealing-off of the “cosmopolitan” city of Hamburg over the heads of the refugees. These inhuman politics will not be accepted by the group, as explained in the press release of the group “Lampedusa in Hamburg”:
3rd Wednesday-Demo “Lampedusa in Hamburg – We’re staying here!”: If the rain can’t stop us, who can?
Situation of the group “Lampedusa in Hamburg” still not solved after failed talks
Hamburg, 26.09.2013.In the past week the senate has made its ignorant position clear once more and blocked a humanitarian solution for the group „Lampedusa in Hamburg“ mediated by the Nordkirche. As the senate continues to refuse all responsibility for the fate of the refugees, a network of supporters set up by the people of Hamburg has been providing overwhelming humanitarian aid since May, and there is still no end in sight.
In talks between representatives of the church and the Department of Interior there had been an agreement in the past, that the authorities would accept anonymous and exemplary facts of the cases for further examination. The church gave this information to the group and three extensively reasoned and detailed applications for residence on humanitarian grounds were submitted to the Department of Interior on the 10.09.2013, including one application made with a full name. On the 12.09.2013 the head of the General Policy Department of the Foreigners Authority explicitely confirmed the willingness of the Department of Interior to talk in a letter. In this letter he said that the applications are understood “in accordance to the last agreements made with church representatives as basis for further talks“.
According to the press releases of the church this basis for discussion was cast off only shortly afterwards, in a talk with church representatives on the 16.09.2013. The Department of Interior explained, that it does not see any scope for the right of residence.
The representatives of the group „Lampedusa in Hamburg“ and also their lawyers were not involved in any of these talks. But still the group had done everything in their power to make a way out of their desperate situation possible.
Affo Tchassei, speaker of the group LiH regarding the current situation:
„We know that a humanitarian solution is legally possible, for example with §23. But for this political will is necessary but the senate lacks this will. More than two years after the war in Libya and the beginning of our flight, we are still left with nothing and the senate is responsible for that.
The senate seems to hope that the frustration and the cold will demoralize us. But there is no „going back“ for us. We will continue to fight for our rights and hope for the solidarity of the people of Hamburg. Yesterday the third Wednesday-Demo took place in heavy rain and was again attended by over 150 people. We will continue to take to the streets on Wednesdays for the weeks to come. We are additionally preparing another big demonstration and other actions for the beginning of November. We now need the support of the people of Hamburg more than ever!“
The senate still has the responsibility to fulfill basic humanitarian rights and has to find a solution for the residence of the group „Lampedusa in Hamburg“. Its members have been publicly active from the beginning on and their stay in Hamburg is de facto tolerated. The names of the speakers of the group are known and they are contactable. The same goes for the lawyers working together with the group. Further talks are only possible with these representatives of the group and are explicitly welcome.