Newsletter 3 Mai 2009 Die letzten Tage des Ausreisezentrums Motardstraße

“Social” Workers Wield Power

Along the lengthy cor- ridors of the Motardstraße Camp, „social“ workers sit in their offices. However, not being known for their helpfulness in eve- ryday matters, these social workers are usually avoided by camp occupants. Instead of offering help, the social wor- kers seem be much more efficient in strictly controlling occupants‘ lives. In many cases, views about the treatment of camp occupants have been shared with supervi- sors at respective social agencies. We highly suspect that the social workers are responsible for a reduc- tion of „spending money“ and other official harassment measures concerning the sorting of occupants. While some occupants have been relocated to less severe camps, this relocation came at a price: squealing on other occupants and informing social workers of breaches of the rules… Thus, in a twisted way, racist measures of social workers could possibly improve living conditions for some occupants; however, this „improvement“ has little to do with self-determination or inde- pendent living. It took us pretty long to finish our third Since then, the „champion“ turned out newsletter. We – that´s the Bündnis ge- to be Mitte. The councilwomen for social gen Lager/ - (Alliance concernes (Miriam Scheffler), who receded against deportation camps/ Berlin-Bran- in december 2008, announced to introdu- denburg.) Since a long time we have been ce single case scrutinity in favor for the making effort to shut down the Ausreise- refugees. Until now, this hasn´t happend. lager Motardstr. and it appears that much Her successor, Stephan von Dassel, is like more effort will be needed in future times. Scheffler delegate of the party Bündnis 90/ Here, we inform you about the ongoing re- Die Grünen. sistance, smaller achievements and bigger continuing problems. Unfortunately, we In contrast to small success concerning the also have to inform you about the const- influence in the districts, the total number ruction of a second Sachleistungseinrich- of inhabitants hasn´t decreased. With a to- tung, which is located in Degnerstr. This tal of 425 people the rate is quite high. The is annoying but beside the problems this fact that 134 vietnamese people are living means for us we will turn this in a prob- in Motardstraße deserves special attention lem for the responsables.Beforehand: Of- since they are partly considered as asylum ficially, Motardstraße is a camp in which seekers or as homeless. We will clarify this. only asylum-seekers during their first three Also, we have to find out which district is months will be housed. In reality, also per- responsible for hospitalisation to Degner- sons that have a different status are housed str. there with the intention to force them to a „voluntary“ leave by means of a mistreat- The next regular date to cancel the treaty ment. Or, to push them into an „illegality“. between the regional authorities for health Therefore, it seemed and still seems that the and social concernes, which would end up Contents: main purpose was to get rid off the people. in the closure of Motardstraße, is June, the 3. While the land berlin finished these pro- 30th 2009. We are getting ready and are Degnerstraße Nr. 82 cedures in 2007, some districts keep doing looking for a digger and an angledozzer. 4. it and therefore are political accountable. Racism is has many faces – about the insuffici- We dismiss discrimination of refugees and ent health care for migrants in Berlin migrants in general and claim the right to 5. choose the place of living by ourselves.Due Casualities that result in death to the high rates of procedures like these 6. Resistance against Sammelvorführungen we mainly dealt with the districts Pankow and Marzahn in the last year. Fortunately, 6. Lovely words from Linkspartei our activities like rallies, public critics, visits and also the engagement of similar minded 7. “Obligation to co-operate” in own deportation delegates of parties resulted in success. (Neues Deutschland 30.11.2007)

8. Migration to germany – desillusionary balance District Number of Persons 01.2008 Number of Persons 2008 02.2009 9. Fight the voucher system! Cash-money for Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf 16 17 everyone! Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg 3 2 9. Lichtenberg 10 7 Die Arbeiterwohlfahrt – more than just a charity! Marzahn-Hellersdorf 37 8 10. Mitte 27 30 Undocumented but organized Neukölln 4 3 + 2* (Jobcenter) 10. Adresses Pankow 36 13 11. Reinickendorf 4 5 Chronology Steglitz-Zehlendorf 12 + 2* (Jobcenter) 7 Spandau 14 + 3* (Jobcenter) 10 + 9* (Jobcenter) Die Jobcenter sind tlw. „übergangsweise“ Tempelhof-Schöneberg 11 16 zuständig und weisen nach Angaben des Senats ∑ 179 +5* = 184 124 + 11* (+ 35 in der niemand dort ein, d.h. die Leute wohnen in Degnerstraße) = 171 *der Motardstraße „bis geeigneter Wohnraum angemietet wird“.

2 Degnerstraße Nr. 82 or „The new Ausreiselager“

Families and Children look out, refugee camps become „family friendly“ now!

„Motardstraße 101a“ will soon not be the This „open prison“ is conducted The only community room is now the only deportation camp. The state Berlin by the real estate company „invest- canteen for the reday meals. extends their capacity to exclude unwan- plan GmbH“, which has its head of- ted migrants. The since 2003 existing camp fice in Grünheide and Fürstenwalde. Former inhabitants which have to return in the Degnerstraße 82 (Berlin-Hohen- „Invest-Plan“ applied for an an- to the camp because they were set back schönhausen) is since October 2008 partly nouncement of the „Landesamt für Ge- from cash to non-cash benefits are joyfully be used as second Berlin deportation camp sundheit und Soziales“ (state office for embraced. under the government of the parties SPD health and social affairs) to provide 50 and „Linkspartei“. Our happiness is restrai- places for persons, which are made to cri- The only thing that crosses the mind of ned whereas the „Sozialsenatorin“ (senator minals through the §1a AsylbLG. They the politician Heidi Knake-Werner in res- for social affairs) Heidi Knake-Werner is are accused by the „Ausländerbehörde“ ponse to the manifold criticism is to open very proud of the camp which she grants (office for foreigners) that they just came up a new camp with additional capacity the award „particularly suitable for fami- to Germany to receive social security be- and slightly better conditions. The basic lies“. The question, if she proves with this nefits (this constantly can‘t be proved) or criticism on deportation camps, the crimi- decision her friendliness towards families that they are unwilling to support the ob- nalization and stigmatization of migrants which have no „legal“ residence permit or taining of a passport for them to deport and the deliberate ilegalization are not re- if she proves another time the racism of them. The „Flüchtlingsrat“ drawing on cognized by her and her party „Die Linke“ the state, is answered by itself. Also there their experience believes that 50% of the and are accepted. families and children will get no money in charges according to §1a AsylbLG are not cash, instead they will get ready meals pa- lawful. This laws show us how racist laws The „Bündnis gegen Lager“ calls for the cked in plastic. The 1,36 Euro per day cash and employees in the public service stigma- shutdown of all deportation camps and and money for clothing are often canceled. tize people to criminals and to afterwards forced accommodations for refugees, mig- The ready meals are delivered by the „R&Z deprive them of their rights. rants and homeless persons. Servicegesellschaft“, which is not better than the company „Dussmann“. Also here „Invest-Plan“ claims to have spent a lot of But we have to ask ourselves if we have they don‘t have the possibility to choose effort into the configuration of the camp. with our denunciation of the situation in their food, it‘s chosen by others for them, Fondly flowered window curtains for the the Motardstraße abeted the practical po- so their appreciation as free person is taken dark basement rooms, bargain hunting licy. That means to prepare an additional away from them. at „Schlecker“ for pink or green shower deportation camp, which is presented as a shampoo as part of the non-cash benefit, nice accomodation. also the grid crib for babies is not missing. We won‘t let ourselves get discouraged in our fight against institutionalized racism. Further on we demand cash money, flats and a good life for everyone. If Motardstra- ße, Degnerstraße or all other camps, they shall become flattened.

3 Racism has many faces Insufficient Health Care for Migrants in Berlin

Not only is Berlin the capital of Germany dical treatment if they are accompanied by laws. As a result, medical staff will no lon- – it is also the capital of people who have acute pain. Whether these requirements ger be obliged to report the data of the been made illegal. An estimated 20% of all are fulfilled or not, is solely within the patients without status of residency to the migrants who have been made illegal live questionable discretion of the responsible authorities. According to the Senate Of- here. It is easier to lead an anonymous life officials at the social security offices. It has fice, a legislative initiative to that effect is in big cities. Anonymity is obligatory if one happened over and over again that social currently being prepared in the Bundesrat. doesn‘t want to be deported. Somebody assistance officers refuse health insurance According to Frau Lompscher, senator of who has been made „illegal“ does not exist, certificates because they consider the pain health in Berlin, Herr Koerting, senator of so to speak, and somebody who does not of the refugee to be implausible. the interior, generally informed the hospi- exist, does not receive any health insurance tals in Berlin in November 2008 that they or social benefits, or any other form of of- The treatment in hospitals is often restric- do not have to report people with no status ficial help. At the same time the person has ted in an unlawful way, too. Only medical of residency. reason to be afraid of being reported to the care which is „life-saving or cannot be de- aliens‘ registration office should he accept layed“ is granted; other diseases and injuries any help. In Berlin approximately 100,000 are ignored. If the authorities expect medi- people are affected by this racist exclusion cal treatment to be expensive, or in other Nothing has been won yet! of migrants from social legislation and re- controversial cases, the social assistance Let‘s continue our fight for global medical gular health care. Only 8,000 of them have officers have to consult a medical officer. rights! had the chance to accept help from the Treatment of patients which is deemed es- Solidarity is international! office for medical assistance for refugees. sential by doctors is rejected - in some cases Legal documents and free health care for This institution is not universally known without any detailed examination - because everybody! and it happens frequently that hospital their disease „had already existed on arri- staff informs the police when people with a val in Germany“ or „could be treated after questionable status of residency have to be deportation to their home country“. The admitted to A&E. In other cases hospitals latter case ended fatally for Mohammad FelS / AG - Internationale Solidarität have refused medical treatment until the Selah. After he had been denied a health problem of payment was resolved. insurance certificate, he received treatment too late, and died in Essen hospital on 14 Not only migrants who have been made January, 2007. All migrants must receive illegal are often refused medical treatment, regular and free access to the health care but also refugees who are currently seeking system. Medical care is a human right. asylum, or whose stay in Germany is me- rely tolerated. This happens by means of The federal state of Berlin currently wants a racist special law, the Asylbewerberleis- to upgrade the medical care for people with tungsgesetz (AsylbLG). According to §4 an unsecured status of residency. The int- AsylbLG, medical treatment is provided roduction of an „anonymous health insu- only in urgent and painful cases. Chronic rance certificate“ is being planned. Berlin diseases and disabilities only receive me- also wants to modify the right of residence

Office hours of the office for medical help for refugees Berlin: Monday and Thursday 16.30 - 18.30 Uhr // Mehringhof // Gneisenaustr. 2a // Hinterhof, Aufgang 3, 2. Stock // Berlin-Kreuzberg // U-Bahnhof MehringdammU6/U7 postal address: Büro für medizinische Flüchtlingshilfe // Gneisenaustr. 2a // 10961 Berlin//

4 Casualities that result in death

+++Casualty 1: Acquittal for the murderers of Oury Jalloh+++

On December 8th two policemen, ter phone. The body and everything Andreas S. and Hans-Ulrich M., res- what had been there burned comple- Racism has many faces ponsible for Oury Jalloh‘s death in the tely. Altough he had been bound, the fire have been absolved. Oury Jalloh prosecution tried to present it as a tra- Insufficient Health Care for Migrants in Berlin burned when he was bound on hands gic accident, what had happened there. and feed on a not-burnable matrace, when the judgement was pronounced except for him the room was empty. , people who wanted to observe, where They said he had inflamed himself thrown out by a lot of police. We are with a liter, that one of the policemen sure, that Oury Jalloh‘s death is a ra- might have forgotten there?? The po- cist murder by the police and has to be licemen in charge turned of the fire remembered! alarm and ignored the cries in the in-

+++Casualty 2: Acquittal on “emeticdoc-

On December 4th the Landgericht dilettante that the liquid didn‘t get to be interested in the risky and degra- absolved Igor Volz , a police the stomach, but to the lungs instead. ding use of emetic in the daily work of doctor who, on December 26th 2004, The doctor didn‘t stop the torture, the police in Germany, that murdered had willingly inserted emetic through although the suspicioned already had Achidi John in 2002. Even the Euro- a stomach tube to Laya-Alama Con- foam around his mouth and had lost pean Court decided 2006, that the use dé, who had been suspicioned to be a consciousness. The guy died right of emetics is a violation of the ban on drug dealer, more than 90minutes un- there. Instead of questioning the use torture.. til his death through suffocation. The of emetic, the court decided, that the purpose was to find stuff that would doctor didn‘t have enough experience prove his guild. The policemen had on the subject to decide whether to been paying attention Condé because stop or to continue. He was absolved of the color of his skin. This method, and continues working as a court doc- that is always very hurtful, is used in tor, as if it had happened nothing. The Germany on pure suspicion, witch public complains justly about the use mostly means the “wrong” color of of “Waterboarding” trough US-ameri- the skin. In this case it was made so can authorities, but nobody seems to

+++Casualy no interest+++

In England a prosecutor refused a ly he had given the impression to be The court finally argued with the renewed accusation of the policeman a suicide attacker. After the evaluati- “criminalistic experience” and the “in- who had shot Jean Charles de Mene- on of the security camera footage, an vestigative pressure “of the assassin to zes and had been absolved. They said the testimonies of eye witnesses had absolve him. Jean Charles‘ family was that there was no prove for a wrong- disproved the declaration of the poli- not allowed to be in the court during doing and because of that there was no ceman, that Jean Charles had worn a the proclamation of sentence of the public interest. Jean Charles had been big jacket and had been running to th first process due to “reasons of secu- shot from the back without warning metro, only his black color stayed as a rity”. on July 22th 2005 in an underground suspicious fact. railway station in London. Supposed-

Stop the use of emetics! Stop racist police violence!

5 Resistance against “Sammelvorführungen”

It‘s been some time, that hey have found to German right do not have a registered dramatically declined. Instead of asylum, a new way to enforce the deportation of identity, cannot be deported, if they try to refugees get “Lager” and deportation, thats refugees out of Germany. As for example get the documents they need to travel back why more and more people do not even November 20th 2007, March 11th 2008, and if they don‘t commit a crime. The most apply. March 25th 2009 several antiracist and terrible is, that they cooperate with mem- antifascist activists gathered in the central bers of dictatorial states to question refu- The numbers of refugees in Europe are “Ausländerbehörde” in Colone to protest gees. From what the Cameroon officers say growing. Not only on the European exter- against another deportation hearing of re- about “their refugees” can hardly be proved nal borders but also inside the brutality in fugees especially from Africa. Already in , but the German “Ausländerbehörde” takes fending them of, harassing them and de- the early morning March 11th 2008 the them as authentic and independent state- porting them is increasing. All over Europe first bus with black Africans from Eisen- ments. Already November 21th 2007 about only 23 out of 100 refugees are given asy- hüttenstadt arrives the Blaubachstr. in Co- 50 people from Africa, who had been living lum. In Germany it‘s only 6 out of 100. lone. Some persons are brought in hand- all over Germany and who where not given cuffs. Surprised but unbroken, they get out a residence title, suffered this disgusting of the bus accompanied by Brandenburg procedure,that had been used in Colone policemen. for at least 10 years.

The day before they all had to gather in The system of deportation is being ex- the central “Aufnahmestelle” Eisenhütten- tended. More than ten thousand people stadt, because the trip to Colone started at are deported yearly from Germany. More midnight. The destination of the bus was and more often they do charter flights, so neither the embassy of guinea, nor the em- the resistance against deportation beco- bassy of Nigeria or Cameroon, but the cen- mes nearly impossible and the practice of tral “Ausländerbehörde” in Colone refugees deportations gets more and more brutal. are forced to see from the embassies of their With clubs, capsisum spray and bonds the supposed states of origin. What actually “non-welcomed” are thrown out out of the decides the case are the deals between the country. Working together with coorupt German authority and the delegation of regimes and although there are good rea- the embassy. To stay quite during the hea- sons for danger of persecution, documents ring they understand as acceptance to the for the deportation are found somewhere. already planed result. Before they had col- At the end the only possibility often stays laborated a lot with the embassy of Togo, the illegalization. The illegal status and to recently they are specialized on the identi- get into hiding sometimes are the only de- fication of Cameroons, Nigerians, Guine- fense against the deportation. Thats why ans. Afterwards, deportation. Every once in the quite a big number of people lives ille- a while refugees from all over Germany are gally in Germany. Their number is growing brought to Colone for the hearings. Refu- continuously, meanwhile the number of ap- gees, mostly from Africa, who. According plications for asylum and their acceptance Lovely words from the Linkspartei (Leftist Party) The Federal State Party conventi- “All other persons [not being in Heidi – come on! on of the Linkspartei Berlin, agreed the primary proceedings of admission; the upon the following in December 2008: editors], who are living there at the moment, The motion that was ultimately enacted „Alle anderen [nicht im Erst- will be lodged in apartments or alternatively originated from Elke Breitenbach, Klaus aufnahmeverfahren befindlichen, d. Red.] – in legally peremptory cases – in accomo- Lederer, Heidi Knake-Werner, Katina Personen, die derzeit dort wohnen, wer- dations to be provided by the responsible Schubert and Carsten Schatz den in Wohnungen bzw. - in gesetzlich district. In the interim, an initial reception unabweisbaren Fällen – in Unterkünften facility in another place shall be installed, Read all about it: untergebracht, die von den zuständigen which will meet the lower (compared to the Bezirken bereitgestellt werden. Mittel- 90s) space requirements and facilitate better U. Jelpke, K. Kopp; Kritik auch an deut- fristig soll eine Erstaufnahmeeinrichtung socio-spacial integration of the refugees.“ scher Flüchtlingspolitik, Mitteilungen der an einem anderen Standort eingerich- Senator Knake-Werner, who is politically Kommunistischen Plattform der Linkspar- tet werden, die dem gegenüber den 90er responsible for this matter, hereby announ- tei Jahren geringeren Platzbedarf gerecht ces the closure of the Motardstraße camp! wird und eine bessere sozialräumliche In- However, as of now we know of no concre- tegration der Flüchtlinge ermöglicht.“ te timetable.

6 taken from: Neues Deutschland, 30.11.2007 “Obligation to co-operate” in own deportation German authorities repeatedly conduct questioning of refugees in the presence of ambassador. Alleged violations of human rights.

„It was clear what the civil servants ber; from there they were taken to Co- thought: everyone whose case was dis- logne by bus overnight. Two of them cussed that day, was supposed to be de- handcuffed. Like criminals. Diallo assu- ported out of Germany.“ Samuela Diallo mes that their escorts were police officers (name changed) reports of a questioning in plain clothes. Such compulsory trans- in an embassy which he was forced to at- port is illegal according to Hubert Hein- tend. Diallo is an African refugee – one of hold, a lawyer for alien and asylum law, „if a many who were not accepted as politically refugee has only received the first summons persecuted asylum seekers in Germany; to the questioning, and has not yet failed to whose stay is only tolerated in Germany. turn up several times.“ Overtired they were In October he received a summons from made to wait in the office in Cologne in the the aliens‘ registration office in Cologne. morning. „In the course of the morning, He was told to appear there for a questio- refugees from various cities were brought ning in front of some members of the staff in, about 30 altogether“, says Diallo. of the Cameroon Embassy. His „identi- Ten activists of Kein Mensch ist ty should be clarified“ and „the issuing of illegal (Nobody is illegal) were on site, and a passport should be rendered possible“. protested against the forced questioning Diallo does not have any proof of origin. with a banner. They requested the officials For years the German authorities to allow the refugees a legal adviser. Diallo: have been conducting questionings with „The officials rejected that. They claimed from the group which came with Diallo re- refugees in foreign embassies. Migrants the hearing would take place on ‚extra- mained silent. „In the end the officials were are supposed to be „identified“ as com- territorial space‘.“ On inquiry by Neues notably furious. We were then released and patriots by their accents by ambassadors, Deutschland, lawyer Heinhold denies that: sent back to our camps.“ Diallo now has to receive a passport, and then be deported. „That‘s nonsense. Even if foreign embassies wait for the confirmation of his tolerated The authorities refer to the asylum seekers‘ conduct the questioning, refugees still have stay. Perhaps he will have to face benefit „obligation to co-operate“. Diallo is afraid. the right to a legal counselor.“ cuts or other sanctions. Diallo is a sensitive The German government, which gran- and attentive person. With unease he re- ted asylum to only 251 refugees in 2006, One by one the refugees were sent to the members the day in Cologne, the rude and turns a deaf ear to the misery and even ambassadors. Diallo was nervous; he de- wordless treatment of the refugees by the the political persecution of refugees. Pro cided to remain silent. Not an easy plan. escort – „as if we were dogs“. Asyl reports that border officials deported „Two Cameroonian ambassadors and two people from Sri Lanka in 2006, just when female German officials sat in a circle fa- new violent massacres were developing. cing me. I knew that they were just aiming Diallo, too, fears for his life should at deporting me and I had to resist their he be deported. Diallo: „I reckoned: If I did questions.“ First an ambassador addressed engage in a conversation with the ambassa- Diallo in French when he asked him to sit dors, I would risk deportation. If I failed to down. No reaction. Taking turns, the Ca- turn up, I would be threatened with sanc- meroonian and the German official inter- tions, e.g. the police forcing me to turn up. rogated him: „Tell us your name. What is I decided to go.“ He was denied travel ex- your father‘s name, what is your mother‘s penses to Köln. Although he asked, he was name? Can you confirm the information neither told the time nor the room number you gave us in your application for asy- of the questioning. With other refugees, lum?“ No answer. This procedure lasted for Diallo was told to turn up at a collection 15 minutes. Diallo did not say a word and point in Eisenhuettenstadt on 19 Novem- was finally released. All the other refugees

7 Migration to Germany: drawing a disappointing balance in 2008

„Whoever comes to Germany as a foreigner In 2007 alone, 14,000 persons were de- te. According to the SPD it was meant to remains foreign.” ported from Germany. Children who were help 60,000 persons to get secure residence born here and have never seen the home permits. Now the data presented shows Migrants are criticizing the implementa- countries of their parents; older persons that not even half of those concerned have tion of the National Plan for Integration. whose whole families live here; teenagers, benefited from the new law. Part of this criticism can be compared to separated from their families just for beco- the situation in the USA, the traditional ming 18 years old. Some are able to resist One year before that, 25,000 Geduldete country of immigration. But unlike the these cruel policies, some manage to resist obtained a residence permit through a spe- USA, Germany first needs to learn that their deportation, others commit suicide cial arrangement made by the Conference immigration is not a bad thing per se, as in Germany because they can no longer of the Ministers of the Interior, meaning long as immigrants are integrated into the bear living under such undignified condi- that in total 54,000 people have benefited society. But so far, the political sphere has tions. The new law on the right of residence from the new law over the last few years. seen great challenges in this field, as the (Bleiberechtsregelung), passed in Berlin 80% of those residence permits were con- situation of the biggest ethnic minority in one year ago, has helped far fewer people ceded conditionally: they will expire at the the capital demonstrates: according to an to get a secure residence permit than ex- end of 2009 if those concerned have not investigation by the German Institute of pected. found work which enables them to support Economic Research (DIW), three out of their own families. four Turkish people do not have a gradu- Instead of the expected 60,000 refugees, ation certificate from school, every second to this date only 29,000 people (long-term In the light of the current labour market, employable person has no job and only 3% “Geduldete”) have received some form of only very few people will be able to pre- have studied at university. residence permit through this old-case- sent the required proof that they can earn a arrangement, which was brought in by lasting living without needing public assis- At the same time refugees, i.e. those who- the CDU/SPD coalition. These figures tance benefits. se residence permit status is “exceptional are known due to a parliamentary enqui- leave to remain” (Duldung), continue to ry instigated by the German Linkspartei. Ulla Jelpke, a left-wing member of the feel anxious about their situation. In 2008 At the end of September, according to the Bundestag, draws a critical balance: “what there were 126,676 people living in Ger- federal government, there are still 110,000 the federal government is presenting as a many with this status. Some of them have migrants living as Geduldete in Germany. success is in reality a ‚Potemkin village‘.” been here for more than 15 years. They live 65,000 of them have been living here for in permanent fear of imminent deportation more than six years and are still waiting for and can be deported at any time, back to their residence permits. the countries which they escaped from in the hope of finding protection in Germany. The CDU/SPD coalition had made this arrangement for dealing with long-durati- on cases a year ago, following a long dispu-

8 Fight the voucher system! Cash-money for everyone! As a consequence of all these discrimina- tailed information by mail). u.r.i. (united against racism and isolation)* tions, the refugee‘s chance to take part in the social life in Germany is denied from * The initiative u.r.i. is a project of refugees Like elsewhere, refugees in Germany have the beginning. Refugees in Germany don‘t from the camp Hennigsdorf, the Anti- to struggle with repression by the state. have the possibility to have a coffee with fascist Initiative Hennigsdorf (H.A.I.), in- Examples are the compulsory housing in friends or to go to the cinema, not to men- dividuals and some staff of the KuB (Kon- camp accomodation without privacy, the tion to hire an attorney, to pay for phone takt- und Beratungsstelle für Flüchtlinge so-called „Residenzpflicht“ (refugees aren‘t calls or tickets for public transport. This und MigrantInnen / Contact and Consul- allowed to leave the administrative district everyday madness is also part of the lives of tation Center for Refugees and Migrants in (Landkreis) which is assigned to them), as the refugees in Hennigsdorf (near Berlin). Berlin-Kreuzberg). Together, we have regu- well as the long-term prohibition to work The office in charge, the Sozialamt in Ora- lar meetings (to clarify which kind of sup- or to start an apprenticeship. This list of nienburg, refuses to hand out cash-money port is needed and to map out projects and constraints on fundamental rights is being to the people who live there. The refugees events), common leisure activities (coffee legitimated by the „Asylbewerberleistungs- get vouchers, so instead of the free decis- partys, attendance to concerts, parties etc.), gesetz“ (the law which is responsible for the ion where to spend their money, they can political activities (information evenings, treatment of asylum seekers in Germany). only buy food and toiletries in a few special anti-racist shoppings, demonstrations) and To this list of repressions comes insufficient shops. practical support (bike workshop: „BikeAid health care, which is restricted to the abso- - For Freedom of movement“: www.bike- lute minimum, as well as the basic financial This situation has to change, so we‘re ex- aid-berlin.de; German classes, legal assis- provisions, which are 30 % lower than the changing the vouchers to cash-money and tance and other kind of support). minimum living wage which is granted by go shopping together regularly. ** ALG II (the German unemployment com- pensation). Predominantly, these provisions If you would like to take part in the anti- are distributed as benefit in kind, like food racist shopping, which is taking place once ** As a result of long-time political and vouchers, chipcards and clothing vouchers. a month, or if you wish to receive more in- activist lobbying, Berlin abolished chipcards The only cash money refugees are entitled formation, just write a short email to: uri- and vouchers in the year 2006. What stayed to receive (the monthly „pocket-money“) is [email protected] unimproved, is the camp accomodation like 20,45 € for children and 40,90 € for adults Motardstraße and Degnerstraße, where and is often being withdrawn by the Sozial- The next date for the anti-racist shopping: refugees only get convenience food. amt (social services department) arbitrarily. Fridays,* May 8th and June 5th (More de- The “Arbeiterwohlfahrt” (AWO; Workers’ Welfare Association) – more than just a charity

The New Year‘s concert of AWO Berlin/ As operator of the Motardstraße camp, the Inside the AWO, the first self-criticism is Brandenburg on January 17, 2009 with AWO profits from the appalling conditions emerging: in May 2008, the national youth the Berlin Philharmonic could not take there: the lower the expenses, the higher the conference (Bundesjugendkonferenz) of place without protest. On a big red car- profit. Simply put, this practice is racist chi- the AWO criticized the treatment of im- pet, the AWO was given the huge “Gol- canery of the people who are forced by the migrants without a permanent residence den Cockroach”. A special prize, so far institutions to live there, and who are “kept” (permit) status, explicitly the living condi- awarded only to the Senator for Soci- under degrading conditions by the AWO. tions in the AWO-camp Motardstraße al Welfare, Knake-Werner, for her re- Another nasty example of the business ope- sponsibility concerning the existence rations of the AWO Berlin/Brandenburg: and conditions of camp Motardstraße. The AWO must abandon its infamous faci- Unfortunately it didn‘t come to a formal lity in Potsdam in summer 2009. Against the profiteers of racist politics! handing-over. Nevertheless, the leaflets entitled “Why does the AWO violate her It is located at a purification plant and in- AWO out of Motardstraße! own basic values” were in great demand. accessible by public transportation. The im- The audience, mostly over 60 years old, migrant commissioner of Potsdam, Mag- Close camp Motardstraße! which arrived in droves, lined up to re- dolna Grasnick, stated that the improved spond to our criticism. We think that we housing conditions in the new accomo- reached a great number of multipliers with dations are the “second best solution” for this action. We hope that discussion inside immigrants after having their own apart- the AWO will ensue, with the goal to ab- ments. rogate the Motardstraße contract with the state health and welfare office. 9 Undocumented, but organised

Working without the needed papers The AK believes in collective solutions The information office for undocumented is reality for many migrants in Germa- and the need for organization. In the last employees offers personal counselling for ny and elsewhere: They work as domestic months alone, more than 60 undocumen- paperless migrants whenever they encoun- workers, seasonal workers for the har- ted employees entered ver.di via personal ter legal problems and issues of social law. vest, in childcare, on construction sites, contacts. From the AK‘s Information Fly- It can be found in the building of and in many other areas. By doing so, er: „Our aims can only be accomplished ver.di Landesbezirk, Köpenicker Str. 30, they care for their own living and often through fundamental social changes, which 10179 Berlin, room E10 (ground floor). also for the livelihood of their families. end discrimination. A first step is the reco- You can reach it during the office hours What most people don‘t know: Undo- gnition of migrants as workers, regardless for consultation services, via telephone: cumented workers have the same rights as of their residence permit status in Europe.“ 030/8866-5622 or via E-Mail: ak-undo- every employee: adequate wage, holiday en- There are many different forms of vio- [email protected]. The titlement, maternity protection, pension in- lation of labour laws, but underpayment counselling office is open every 2nd Wed- surance, accident insurance, paid vacation etc. or no payment at all is probably the one nesday of the month from 9 am - 11 am Employees without resident permits or which paperless migrants experience most. and every 4th Wednesday of the month work permit often get conned on their Recently one case made it into the media, from 6pm - 8pm. rights and often don‘t have the possibili- the case of Ana S.: This Columbian woman ty to take legal action to get these rights. worked three years in the household of a For this reason there is an information wealthy family in -Blankenese office in Berlin for undocumented emplo- As compensation she received one euro per FelS - Für eine Linke Strömung yees at the labour union ver.di. This office hour as pocket-money. Despite her mis- allows paperless migrants without docu- sing residence permit status she went to a Come and join us! If you‘re interested in the ments to inform themselves about their labour court to sue for her wage. The trial FelS working group - International Solida- rights and to organize themselves with ended with an extrajudicial mediation, Ana rity, please contact: [email protected] or www. ver.di, to be able to exercise their rights. S. received additional payment, although fels-berlin.de! The contact-point was founded by the not on an adequate scale. She doesn‘t have „AK Undokumentierte Arbeit“ (Working valid residence permit papers to this day. group „Undocumented labour“) and is Her story has been picturized in the based on experiences of a counselling cen- movie „Mit einem Lächeln auf den Lip- tre of the same name in Hamburg. Vari- pen“ („With a smile on the lips“), which ous antiracist, feminist and self-organised felS is going to show during the Maydays migrant initiatives from Berlin are working on May 13th at 7pm at Zielona Gora. together with ver.di in this group. After the screening there will be a dis- cussion with the filmmaker Anne Frisius and activists of Berlin antiracist groups.

Adressenteil:

Dussmann-Fraß heißt jetzt CFM Betreiberin Wohnheim Motardstraße: Wie aus einer aktuellen kleinen Anfrage Betreiberin Wohnheim Degnerstraße: im Abgeordnetenhaus hervorgeht, ist der Arbeiterwohlfahrt Berlin (AWO), Kreis- Essenslieferant nun für die Motardstraße Invest Plan Immobiliengesellschaft mbH, verband Mitte e.V., Hochstädter Straße 1, die „Charité CFM Facility Management Am Reiherhorst 20, 15537 Grünheide 13347 Berlin GmbH“, Robert-Koch-Platz 9, 10115 Berlin. Dussmann ist Teil der CFM. Invest Plan Immobiliengesellschaft mbH, Arbeiterwohlfahrt Berlin (AWO), AWO Luisenstraße 25, 15537 Grünheide Landesverband Berlin e.V., Blücherstraße 62, 10961 Berlin Invest Plan Immobiliengesellschaft mbH, Sembritzkistraße 3, 15517 Fürstenwalde Essenslieferant Degnerstraße:

R+Z Servicegesellschaft mbH, Französische Straße 55, 10117 Berlin, Tochterfirma von www.procurand.eu

10 TIMELINE

January 2007: April 2007: Clown Army with Field Kitchen (Clownsarmee mit Feldküche) in front of Refugee Counsel (Flüchtlingsrat) con- Knake-Werner and other PDS functio- Motardstraße. tacts the State Executive (Landesamt) of naries visit Motardstraße. In the presence Party (Linke)/Party of Democra- of Worker‘s Welfare Organization (AWO) August 2007: tic Socialism (PDS). No Reaction. representatives, the Refugee Counsel, and protestant church activists. Changes to regulations of conduct in Beginning of periodic information sessi- implementation of § 1a.) German Social ons and introductory meetings for occup- Occupants present her with a captured Welfare Law for Asylum Seekers of the ants of the Motardstraße Camp. cockroach as a souvenir--more specifically, State of Berlin. This makes it easier for a German cockroach (blatella germanica). hesitant districts to give up assigning peo- Arson (incendiary attack) in Hamburg. Issues of inadequate health, medical, and ple to Motardstraße and withholding cash Four Dussmann cars burn, lots of hype in social conditions are discussed. Knake- payments. the press. Werner wants to speak with the AWO, occupants of Motardstraße, and Dussman October 2007: February 2007: concerning the abhorrent meal and food plans. Demonstration in front of (and against) Incendiary attack on Dussman kitchen. the Pankow district government office. In Berlin-Pankow a small fire is lit in the Short inquiry* in Berlin parliament con- kitchen, which is to prepare food for the cerning contamination of the site. November 2007: Motardstraße Camp. No property damage. Chaos in front of Dussman. In connec- Punitive measures against a policeman Protest of the state-wide congress (Lan- tion with Anti-G8-Preparations, Parcours (now retired), who worked as a paramedic desparteitag) by the Party of Democratic Global makes a stop in front of Dussman. in the deportation camp in Berlin-Köpe- Socialism in Berlin-NeuKölln. Some ac- Violent police deployments disrupt de- nick. Sentenced to a fine of 30 days’ wages tivists confront delegates with a travelling monstrations in front of Dussman as well as because of negligent bodily injury while on photo exhibit and demand closing of the the return of the abhorrent meal packages. duty. Motardstraße Camp. An internal emer- Lengthy blockades on Friedrichstraße. gency motion is ignored, and two days later February 2008: overruled. Instead, only the deportation May 2007: camp living conditions should be impro- Short inquiry* in Berlin parliament: ved... Golden cockroach for Knake-Werner. Motardstraße: No Improvement in Sight? First presentation of the Anti-Racist Re- March 2007: cognition Prize (antirassistischen Sonder- Ruling of Pankow District Authorities preis), which the Senator unfortunately (BVV): No admissions to Motardstraße. Senator Knake-Werner does damage could not accept. Later, ruling is changed and practically control. She influences the District Office overruled by the mayor of Marzahn-Hellersdorf to initiate a less Demonstrations in front of the camp de- severe conduct of accommodation. mand the closing of the Motardstraße. March 2008:

Letter sent to Senator Knake-Werner Short inquiry* in district of Marzahn- and the Motardstraße Worker‘s Welfare Hellersdorf. The district reduces the num- Organization (AWO). Document written June 2007: ber of affected individuals to 35 and makes in Arabic. them cash payments. Knake-Werner answers the occupants‘ letter. Cleanliness, order, and hygiene Heart disease sufferer Herr B. (see should have improved within the last year... November 2008) can move into a flat.

11 June 2008: January 2009:

Anti-racist readings at Dussman Golden cockroach visits New Year‘s Concert of the AWO-Brandenburg. (See July 2008: article: Labour Welfare--more than just a welfare union „Die Arbeiterwohlfahrt – Short inquiry* in Berlin parliament mehr als nur ein „Wohlfartsverband“) „Humans in Motardstraße“-The Future of Accommodation of Refugees? “ The dis- February 2009: trict Mitte currently has the most people (36) assigned to Motardstraße. The Refugee Counsel writes social ser- After individual audits, 10 of 28 refu- vice. Among other things, demanding a gees change to another home. August 2008: set deadline for the closing of Motard- straße Camp. April 2008: Dussman bus burns in Hamburg March 2009: Anti-racist campaign organized by the October 2008: AWO agency. 4 short inquiries* in the Berlin parlia- Anti-racist bike parade. Knake-Werner‘s ment concerning refugee accommodation Demonstrations in front of the District house, the AWO, and Dussman are visited. in Berlin (see: Intro) Government Building in Marzahn-Hel- Police end demonstrations though volun- lersdorf. tary assaults. Temporary arrests, and thus, police inquiries. Short inquiry* in Berlin parliament: Tu- *short inquiries can be found in current berculosis cases among asylum seekers in November 2008: parliamentary documentation under www. Berlin? Those with symptoms of tubercu- chipkartenini.squat.net losis are sent to the hospital. Short inquiry* in Berlin parliament: Tu- berculosis cases among asylum seekers in Short inquiry* in Pankow district. Berlin? Those with symptoms of tubercu- losis are taken to the hospital. Marzahn-Hellersdorf district leans to- ward closing the Motardstraße Camp and December 2008: * carrying out individual audits. New ruling: state-wide congress of May 2008: the Left Party would like operations of Motardstraße accommodation limited National Juvenile Division (Bundeskon- to initial phase accommodation—and, in ferenz des Jugendwerkes) of the Worker‘s time--this initial phase accommodation Welfare Organization (AWO) openly cri- should be moved to a location with a bet- ticizes the role of the AWO as operator of ter social environment (see article: Nice the Motardstraße camp. Words von the Left Party „Schöne Worte von der Linkspartei“).

Contact:

Bündnis gegen Lager This is an unregular newsletter. All the articles are written by Berlin/Brandenburg, people and groups from the Bündnis gegen Lager (alliance against c/o FFM, Gneisenaustraße 2A, camps). 10961 Berlin

12 e-mail: [email protected]