Between Fear and Hope Child Soldiers as in Germany Between Fear and Hope – Child Soldiers as Refugees in Germany – B-UMF

Between Fear and Hope -- Child Soldiers as Refugees in Germany terre des hommes -- B-UMF 2

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Publisher terre des hommes Federal Association for Help for Children in Distress Unaccompanied Minors Ruppenkampstr. 11 a Zwinglistr. 4A 49084 Osnabrück 10555 Germany Germany

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Editors Editorial Assistant Thomas Berthold, Andreas Meißner, Ralf Willinger Cornelia Dernbach

Design and layout Cover photo Athanasios Melissis Sebastian Bolesch

Translation Ann Lorschiedter, Anne Thomas, Josephine Wragge

Download this report in English or German www.tdh.de/publications

This report was updated and shortened in February 2013. The German original version of this report was issued in October 2009 with the title “Zwischen Angst und Hoffnung. Kindersoldaten als Flüchtlinge in Deutschland.”

About the author Dima Zito is a social worker, systemic therapist and trauma therapist for children and young people. She works at the Psychosocial Centre for Refugees in Düsseldorf. She is currently conducting a PhD study entitled on Child Soldiers as Refugees in Germany. Between Fear and Hope – Child Soldiers as Refugees in Germany terre des hommes – B-UMF 3

Table of Contents

Editors’ preface ...... 4

Preface of a former child soldier ...... 5

1 . Child soldiers as refugees ...... 6

1.1 Introduction ...... 6

1.2 Child soldiers – a brief overview ...... 6

1.3 International treaties against the use of children as soldiers ...... 6

1.4 Former child soldiers as refugees in Germany ...... 7 1.4.1 Seeking asylum and a residence permit ...... 7 1.4.2 The situation of refugees ...... 9 1.4.3 Unaccompanied minor refugees ...... 10 1.4.4 Education and training ...... 11 1.4.5 Particularly vulnerable refugees ...... 11

1.5 Trauma and therapy for former child soldiers ...... 12 1.5.1 Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other consequences of trauma ...... 12 1.5.2 Therapeutic care and support for former child soldiers in Germany ...... 13

2 . Interviews with former child soldiers ...... 15

2.1 Interview partners ...... 15

2.2 Experiences in the countries of origin ...... 15 2.2.1 Childhood prior to the recruitment into the armed group ...... 15 2.2.2 Recruitment ...... 17 2.2.3 Deployment and responsibilities as child soldier ...... 19 2.2.4 Structures and experiences within armed groups ...... 21 2.2.5 End of deployment as a child soldier ...... 23 2.2.6 Escape to Europe ...... 25

2.3 Situation in Germany ...... 25 2.3.1 Arrival in Germany ...... 25 2.3.2 Procedure for granting asylum and residency ...... 26 2.3.3 Accommodation and care ...... 28 2.3.4 Maintenance ...... 31 2.3.5 Education and training ...... 32 2.3.6 Stabilising factors and social support ...... 34 2.3.7 Trauma, stress, symptoms and coping mechanisms ...... 35 2.3.8 Professional support through social work and therapy ...... 38 2.3.9 Hopes and aims for the future ...... 38

3 . Conclusion and recommendations ...... 41.

4 . Demands of terre des hommes and the Federal Association for Unaccompanied Refugee Minors ...... 43

5 . Glossary ...... 44

6 . Bibliography ...... 46. Between Fear and Hope – Child Soldiers as Refugees in Germany terre des hommes – B-UMF

Between Fear and Hope -- Child Soldiers as Refugees in Germany terre des hommes -- B-UMF 4 Editors’ preface

The situation of child soldiers is A previous study on former child • Hearings during the asylum process gradually receiving more attention soldiers in Germany was conducted should exclusively be conducted by among the general public. Many people in 2003 by Michaela Ludwig1 and explicitly trained staff if there is an in Europe are exposed to the sad published by terre des hommes indication of past experience as a child situation of these children and young and the Federal Association for soldier. Also, specific criteria for the people through campaigns such as Red Unaccompanied Refugee Minors, verification of the asylum demand Hand Day. The attention centres on like the present study. It focused should be established, considering that life in the countries of origin of child on the need to establish specific some of the young refugees might be soldiers, their involvement in armed procedures within the asylum process traumatised. A child soldier biography conflicts or their reintegration into their for traumatised refugees such as should generally “qualify” someone for local community. former child soldiers. It also called for refugee status – and furthermore, all acknowledgement of their experience traumatised persons should be granted The present study is particularly as a reason to grant asylum. long-term residency. relevant because of its focus on young people who were able to escape to The results of the present study compel • Deportation, imprisonment on Germany to avoid persecution at home. us to acknowledge that despite some remand and remand pending For many who risk their lives by leaving progress many former child soldiers deportation are incompatible with armed groups, getting to Germany is seeking asylum in Germany are still children’s rights and should not be considered a real opportunity. Former faced with serious problems. applied to minors at all. child soldiers can continue to be persecuted even after a peace deal has terre des hommes and the Federal • Considering their experiences, former been signed; escape might be impossible Association for Unaccompanied child soldiers who are above the age because of physical and psychological Refugee Minors propose five crucial of 18 must also be admitted and given damage, and reaching Europe might criteria for improving the situation: adequate accommodation by the state. only be possible thanks to a great deal of support and effort. Few young people • The identification of traumatised We thank Dima Zito for conducting attempt the escape in the first place and refugees (such as former child soldiers) this study and in particular the 15 even fewer make it in the end. and their age should be determining young refugees who spoke about their factors in the reception procedure. lives and by becoming involved in The social worker, therapist and To guarantee this, only qualified and this study allowed us to participate researcher Dima Zito was able to neutral experts who are trained in in their experiences. Their courage interview 15 former child soldiers. psychology and child rights should be and willingness to face their past This meant 15 individual experiences, employed. This should be done in a once more should be an additional 15 calls for perseverance and active three to six-month clearing procedure encouragement for us to continue involvement towards a commitment to which should include an assessment advocating for the end of the use end the use of child soldiers. These 15 of the needs of the children and young of child soldiers, and to continue examples remind us that the regulations people, including therapeutic support. advocating for their humane welcome regarding immigration and asylum in and treatment in Germany. Germany are often far from adequate. • The reception of former child soldiers has to be adapted to their needs. For Thomas Berthold, Federal Association The study suggests that a child soldier’s example, those under 18 must have for Unaccompanied Refugee Minors life is not necessarily made easier access to youth welfare institutions, as by the fact that s/he escapes from well as appropriate accommodation Ralf Willinger, terre des hommes an armed group but that the burden (not in quarters for adults), freedom of often remains. The interviews also movement (no residence obligation), give an insight into the problems the therapeutic care and education children and young people encounter (inclusion in the regular school system, in Germany. They also give examples training, German classes etc.). of the prospects former child soldiers have when they receive adequate care, therapy and education. 1 See Michaela Ludwig: “Former Child Soldiers as refugees in Germany”. The study can be downloaded at www.quno.org/geneva/ pdf/TdHQUNO.pdf Between Fear and Hope – Child Soldiers as Refugees in Germany terre des hommes – B-UMF 5

Preface of a former child soldier

“Daddy, why were we born here?” Some weeks after my rescue, they Germany do not have a residence offered me a “surprise trip” to a permit status; they only have an I am 22 years old and I was born in new and unknown homeland. They “exceptional leave to remain” South Sudan, during the war. I had to promised that I would be able to fulfil (“Duldung”). This is only one step witness killings, arson and all kinds of my father’s promise in my new home away from deportation. Many people in destruction. – an education and a better future. Germany are living in these conditions, When the journey ended in Germany, and they cannot change it. It is a I remember waking up after a terrible I realised how difficult it is to live in nightmare to wake up every day with night and seeing my father in front an unfamiliar place without parents or this thought. of our house. I saw the despair in his other family members. eyes, and the agony of the past night If refugees are to be integrated into made my heart beat fast. Full of fear, I The beginning in Germany was very society, access to education is key. asked my father: “Daddy, why do we tough, and especially the proceedings Access to education is hardly possible live here? Why did you let us be born for getting a residence permit with the “exceptional leave to remain”. here?” My father broke out in tears and (“Aufenthaltserlaubnis”) status were It is even more difficult to get a work said: “My son, no child can chose his real emotional torture. I was in a new permit with this status. And to find a job parents or place of birth. I am sorry!” homeland with a language I couldn’t without knowing the language is worse. speak. In the worst moments, I felt My father was always there for us. He deep grief for my lost childhood, my Pre-conditions for integration are promised a better education for me and uncertain future and especially the stress knowledge about German culture my sister after the war. He had studied of processing the application for asylum. and history, a secure income and abroad himself, and he wanted us to do good language skills. But one cannot the same. But some years later, when After one year, I heard about the participate in an integration course I was about 10 years old, my father Psychosocial Centre for Refugees. I during the procedure for granting the was killed right in front of us. When I had a chance to receive therapeutic , or if one only has was about 13, my childhood came to services and I had contact with society. “exceptional leave to remain”. I always an end. I was forced to go to war. My And finally, I could go to school. wonder how integration can work life and the lives of other children were When I had problems with the asylum when the people concerned have no put on the line. We didn’t have parents procedures, I always got support. Today, residence permit status? I wonder if anymore; instead, the AK 47 rifle was I am studying, and I owe everything there is no solidarity in Germany? destined to be my companion. that I have to the support I received. I don’t like to talk about my life. When I was 15, I survived on my own When I think about the words of my When I do so, I am overwhelmed for two days in a destroyed village father and about my lost childhood, I with memories that are very painful. I filled with dead bodies. I saw how think about the right of every child to participated in the interviews despite government troops killed my friends, be a child. But child soldiers lose their this. There are some things I can still and my heart sank into my boots. I sat childhood. Their childhood is replaced not talk about today but I have talked on a tree with an AK 47 in my hands, by the AK 47. This is an unforgivable about lots of other things because not knowing what I should do. I will abuse. Let us all work against the I think it is important that people never forget that day. It’s the day I lost abuse of children as killing machines. in Germany find out what it means contact with my family. A day that Children are not soldiers. when children are abused as soldiers. made the uncertain future even worse. And because I hope that the German It’s a miracle that I survived this day. I appeal to lawmakers to improve the government will understand that young lives of unaccompanied minor refugees refugees need security and support God sent me guardian angels. My and child soldiers. These children need so that they can start a new life. I angels were the staff of an organisation a guaranteed residency so that they can set my heart on this piece of work to which found out about the destroyed start living a new life. The hearing for contribute towards this goal. village. They told me that my life as the asylum application should not be child soldier would end on that day. done without psychological support, This interview was conducted with They also told me that a new life because the suffering during these Peter D., 22, a former child soldier from without the AK 47 would begin on the sessions is immense. Sudan. He has been living in Germany same day. for seven years and has been studying Many minors and young adults in for two years. Between Fear and Hope – Child Soldiers as Refugees in Germany terre des hommes – B-UMF

Between Fear and Hope -- Child Soldiers as Refugees in Germany terre des hommes -- B-UMF 6 1. Child soldiers as refugees

1 .1 Introduction conflict (see Honwana 2006). They groups and armies. They sometimes fought in the “Volkssturm” for the also volunteer for political reasons, or Approximately 250,000 child soldiers defence of Nazi Germany and with to protect themselves or their families, are used in armies and rebel groups opposition partisan movements, they to earn an income, to take revenge, 5 worldwide – their activity ranges from have fought for liberation and guerrilla or out of a desire for adventure . small chores to active involvement movements on all continents as well Currently, the majority of child in armed confrontations or violent as for regular armies, which often soldiers are recruited in Africa and acts against civilian populations. recruited them by force. Asia, but children are also abused as These children and young people are fighters in Latin America and in the 6 often exposed to traumatic events In the 1990s, however, the use of Middle East . Approximately 40 % and experience extreme violence as child soldiers reached new dimensions of child soldiers are female (see victims, witnesses and perpetrators. (Machel 1996). Rebel movements in UNICEF 2007). Some of them have Mozambique and Sierra Leone, for to fulfil domestic duties, others also Those who come to Germany as instance, abducted thousands of child- participate in conflicts. Women and refugees often undergo months and ren and young people and used them girls in war settings and within armed years of structural exclusion and to carry out massive vio- groups are often affected by rape and uncertainty. Many of them depend lations. The former UN Special Repre- sexual violence (see Alfredson 2007, on support from social workers and sentative for Children and Armed Honwana 2006). therapists to settle down, overcome Conflict Olara Otunnu has estimated the uncertain period of the asylum that from 1990 to 2000, two million procedure and to cope with their children were killed by war, and over 1 .3 International treaties experiences. six million were seriously injured or against the use of disabled. More than a million children were orphaned during this decade and children as soldiers 1 .2 Child soldiers – an additional 10 million suffer from psychological trauma. Increased international attention and a brief overview lobbying have led to the proscription In 2012, the number of armed conflicts of the use of child soldiers through a “Child soldiers” or “children associated in which children were directly number of treaties: The International with armed forces or armed groups” involved in was at least 18. This is Labour Organisation (ILO) adopted are defined in international treaties as stated in the UN Secretary-General’s the Convention in June “any person below 18 years of age who Annual Report on Children and armed 1999, listing “the worst forms of child is or who has been recruited or used conflict of April 2012.3 According to labour” and explicitly condemning by an armed force or armed group in this report, the situation of children the use of child soldiers. According to any capacity, including but not limited living in conflict areas who were the Rome Statute, the recruitment of to children, boys and girls, used as either in danger of recruitment or children under 15 is punishable as a fighters, cooks, porters, messengers, had already been recruited, had not war by the International Crimi- spies or for sexual purposes. It does improved essentially in the last years. nal Court. The first charges for this not only refer to a child who is offence have already been issued and taking or has taken a direct part in The number of child soldiers there are ongoing trials against the for- hostilities.”2 This definition is used by worldwide is still estimated at mer Congolese militia leader Germain the United Nations and human rights 250,000.4 Children and young people Katanga, former Liberian President organisations. are often recruited forcibly by armed 5 See Rachel Brett, Irma Specht (eds): The use of child soldiers is neither a “Young soldiers: why they choose to fight“. new nor a culturally specific problem. 3 http://daccess-dds-ny.un.org/doc/ At almost all times of history and in UNDOC/GEN/N12/320/83/PDF/ 6 The highest number of child soldiers is many cultures, children and young N1232083.pdf?OpenElement found in Myanmar – tens of thousands people have been involved in armed according to estimates of human rights 4 Estimates of Unicef. It is impossible to organisations. In Columbia, thousands know the exact number of child soldiers of minors are fighting in non-state armed actually used since armies and rebel groups groups while the military is using children 2 Source: Paris Principles and guidelines do not have statistics about them and act in as spies and informants (see terre des on children associated with armed forces or areas in which international organisations hommes, www.tdh.de/?id=539). armed groups, UNICEF, February 2007. only have limited access. Between Fear and Hope – Child Soldiers as Refugees in Germany terre des hommes – B-UMF 7

Charles Taylor and others. Others are In recent years, the UN Security minor refugees12 in Germany were wanted by warrant of arrest for this Council has passed a number of former child soldiers. According to offence, like the Sudanese President resolutions, condemning the use of these estimates, there would be around Omar Al-Bashir or the Ugandan war- child soldiers and suggesting measures 150 former child soldiers arriving per lord Joseph Kony. to put an end to the recruitment of year. children. 10 A central reference is the UN Additionally, a significant number of Convention on the Rights of the The “Paris Principles and Guidelines children and youth come to Germany Child7, which defines every person on Children Associated with Armed to avoid forced recruitment by armed below the age of 18 years as a child. Forces or Armed Groups“ are the result groups in their home country. The In this convention, minors are granted of a global evaluation of experiences number of unaccompanied minor particular protections, such as from from disarmament, demobilisation and asylum-seekers who claim to be the death sentence for example, as reintegration programmes. They also threatened of forced recruitment is not well as from life-long imprisonment recommend guidelines on how children documented. and “dangerous work”. However, the can be protected from recruitment minimum age for military recruitment and how former child soldiers can The estimated number of around 150 and engagement of children was effectively be supported. The Paris former child soldiers per year does set at 15 years in article 38 of the Principles were signed by 66 countries not reflect the much larger number of convention.8 in 2007, including Germany. former child soldiers above 18 who are still affected and possibly in need After lengthy negotiations and intensive of support. advocacy through international 1 .4 Former child soldiers organisations, the recruitment and as refugees in Germany The number of unaccompanied engagement in wars of children and minor refugees coming to Germany youth below the age of 18 years was has increased from 2009 till 2011. Few former child soldiers manage to condemned. On May 25, 2000, the According to the Federal Association escape to other countries, and even UN General Assembly adopted the for Unaccompanied Refugee Minors fewer make it to Germany. Those who Optional Protocol on the Involvement (B-UMF), in 2011 more than 3,700 manage are usually older than 14, of Children in Armed Conflict9, unaccompanied minor refugees were with those who are younger failing to opening it for signature and ratification. taken into care, in 2010 more than survive the long and dangerous path. It came into force on February 12, 4,200 and in 2009 more than 3,000.13 There are no statistics that document 2002. Till today, 151 countries are Former child soldiers often immigrate the number of former child soldiers parties of the Optional Protocol. as unaccompanied minor refugees. among young refugees. The Catholic Although they should be offered Youth Social Work (Katholisches accommodation and care in child and Jugendsozialwerk) estimated in 200911 youth welfare institutions, the young that 3.5 % of the unaccompanied people’s situation is in many cases 7 The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child was adopted and opened precarious. These are outlined below. for signature, ratification, and accession by General Assembly resolution 44/25 of 10 All conflict parties are called upon 20 November 1989. It entered into force to immediately demobilise children. If 1 .4 .1 Seeking asylum and a September 2, 1990. In Germany, it entered recruitment of children should continue residence permit into force on 5 April 1992. and children will be used further in armies, targeted measures such as embargo of Article 16a of the German 8 The age limits comply with clauses of weapons, travel restrictions or freezing the international humanitarian law in the accounts may be consequences. The UN Constitutional Law (Grundgesetz) additional protocols of the year 1977 to the Security Council resolution 1612 of the year states that refugees who are politically Geneva Conventions of the year 1949. 2005 is important as well, as it requested the UN General Secretary to implement a monitoring and reporting mechanism 9 Optional Protocol to the Convention regarding the use of child soldiers. 12 In Germany the term unaccompanied on the Rights of the Child on the minor refugees is used in the professional involvement of children in armed conflict, debate, this includes all separated children, http://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails. 11 The estimate of the Catholic Youth regardless of their residence status. aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=IV-11- Social Work was based on own figures, b&chapter=4&lang=en coming from the practical work with 13 http://b-umf.de/images/inobhutnahmen-2011- refugees. b-umf.pdf Between Fear and Hope – Child Soldiers as Refugees in Germany terre des hommes – B-UMF

Between Fear and Hope -- Child Soldiers as Refugees in Germany terre des hommes -- B-UMF 8

persecuted have a right to asylum.14 A however, it took an average of 9.9 having entered Germany directly by sea number of restrictions however make it months in cases of unaccompanied or by air, but who manages to make his/ difficult to be granted asylum according minors17 to decide the demands for her persecution credible to the Federal to the Constitutional Law or to be asylum that had been registered18 As Office for Migration and Refugees, can recognized as a Refugee in context of they wait for a decision – a period of be granted refugee-protection, as per the Geneva Convention. 15 unknown duration and consequences the Geneva Convention on Refugees (§ –, refugees are affected by a number of 60.1 Residence Act (Aufenthaltsgesetz In order to be accepted as a person measures that exclude them. They are AufenthG). This immigration law20, in need of protection, refugees have described in the following paragraphs. which came into force in 2005, basically to explain their background of assimilates the status of these persons persecution and their escape route Refugees who travelled through a with those who have the right to in a credible manner at a hearing at “safe third country” before reaching asylum according to article 16a of the the Federal Office for Migration and Germany are always excluded from German Constitutional Law. Moreover, Refugees (Bundesamt für Migration recognition according to article 16a of while until 2005, only the persecution und Flüchtlinge, BAMF).16 In 2012, the German Constitutional Law. This through state actors was relevant for the affects all persons who travelled by asylum procedure, the fulfilment of EU land19. Someone who cannot prove guidelines now requires that non-state 14 In the mid 1990s, the number and gender based persecution are also of initial asylum applications in Germany per year was above 100,000. Due to the considered as reasons to grant asylum. many applicants are used to only answer growingly effective sealing-off of the This can be particularly relevant for particular questions. In many societies, European external borders, less and less youth are supposed to show respect to former child soldiers who have escaped refugees managed to enter; the number of elders which also implies not to talk without the applications since the year 2000 reached from rebel groups. being asked to do so. On the basis of the historical lows. The bottom was in the year hearing protocols, so-called “asylum clerks” 2007, with only 19,164 applications for (sometimes these are not the persons who The Federal Office for Migration and asylum. Since then, the number increased were present in the hearing) take a decision Refugees can also grant protection from again. In the year 2012, applications for about the application for asylum. asylum were issued by 64,539 people. deportation on humanitarian grounds www.bamf.de/SharedDocs/Anlagen/DE/ (§ 60.2, 3, 5 or 7 of the Residence Downloads/Infothek/Statistik/statistik-anlage- 17 Document of German Parliament, BT- Act), for example when a person teil-4-aktuelle-zahlen-zu-asyl.pdf?__blob= Drs: 17/12234, http://dipbt.bundestag.de/ seeking asylum has a life-threatening publicationFile dip21/btd/17/122/1712234.pdf disease that cannot be treated in the 15 Several regulations (such as the one of 18 According to information of the Federal country of origin. If the deportation “non-persecuting countries” and “safe third Office for Migration and Refugees, the of a traumatised refugee will probably countries”) within the so-called asylum average duration of procedures for granting compromise from the year 1993 restricted the right of asylum which were concluded in lead to a retraumatisation with the basic right to asylum. In 2012, 1.2 % the year 2011 was 12.2 months. suicidal consequences, protection from of the applicants were accepted for asylum www.bamf.de/SharedDocs/Anlagen/DE/ deportation can also be granted. This according to article 16a of the German Publikationen/Broschueren/bundesamt-in- regulation is relevant for former child Constitutional Law, compared to 1.6 zahlen-2011.pdf?__blob=publicationFile % in the year 2009 (source: Document soldiers as well. of the German Parliament, BT- Drs.: 17/12234, http://dipbt.bundestag.de/dip21/ 19 On top of this, since 2007 more than btd/17/122/1712234.pdf 25% of the persons applying for asylum The number of minors who are entitled are affected by the European jurisdiction 16 They have to manage to describe regulation - in short called Dublin II their reasons to escape out of their own (http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/ also affected by such transfers and have initiative in a comprehensive, detailed, justice_freedom_security/free_movement_ almost no chances for legal protection in pursuable and unambiguous manner. The of_persons_asylum_immigration/l33153_ these cases. Asylum Procedure Act explicitly states: en.htm). If it is established that the person “The foreigner him-/herself has to present seeking for asylum has been living for a the facts giving reason for his/her fear of continuous period of at least five months 20 The Immigration Act (“Act to control political persecution, and has to provide the in a EU member state before lodging his/ and limit immigration and to regulate the necessary information”. This stipulation of her asylum application in another member residence and integration of citizens of the a general obligation to make a statement on state (which can be cross-checked by taking European Union and foreigners”) changes the side of the applicant results in practices finger prints, by information on visa etc.), several existing Acts in 15 articles. The of the hearing that often, no questions the first mentioned member state becomes Foreigner›s Act was re-named as Residence are asked which would aim at supporting responsible for examining the application. Act, and several residence titles were a comprehensive clarification of the The applicants usually only get short notice changed. More information are available on persecution. This often causes fragmentary of the initiation of the Dublin procedure the homepage of the Federal Ministry of the explanations of the persecution history before they are transferred to the country Interior www.zuwanderung.de/cln_156/ and of the reasons for the migration since where they have been before. Minors are ZUW/DE/Home/home_node.html Between Fear and Hope – Child Soldiers as Refugees in Germany terre des hommes – B-UMF 9

to one of the mentioned status varies If the application for asylum is rejected Act § 60 paragraph, 7 sentence 1 is between 35% and 45% during the or if the applicant has lost his/her declining.27 last years. 21 Only a few of them are right of residence in a different way, recognised as refugees in the sense of s/he is summoned to leave by a set the Geneva Convention. It is important deadline (usually within one month). 1 .4 .2 The situation of refugees to note that (forced) recruitment as a If the person in question does not child soldier does not automatically comply with the summons, s/he As soon as a refugee registers in result in recognition as a refugee.22 can be deported. 25 Refugees often Germany, s/he is allocated to a experience the deportation of their state, following a quota system. S/ Refugees whose application for friends, relatives or neighbours in he has to live for up to three months asylum is declined can appeal against the asylum centres. “Deportations at in a so-called “first reception” this decision by the Federal Office dawn” are not an exception: staff of institution, until s/he is allocated to a for Migration and Refugees in an the Foreign Resident Authority wake community. The refugees themselves Administrative Court within a period up refugees in the night or in the early have no influence on the choice of of two weeks (and within one week morning hours and bring them to the community.28 In some states, refugees if the application is rejected for being airport, supported by police members have to remain in a central institution “obviously unfounded”). A large (sometimes special police force units for the whole period of their asylum proportion of applicants follow this in combat fatigues and with dogs), at procedure, for example in Bramsche in path. Refugees whose application for times also accompanied by medical Lower Saxony. asylum is declined and who do not staff. Again and again, people in such get a residence permit but de facto situations collapse or try to commit People who seek asylum in Germany also cannot be deported, for example suicide. The permanent presence of the fall under the special legislation because they don’t have a passport, are topic “deportation” results in a climate of the “residential obligation” granted “exceptional leave to remain”. of fear among many refugees. (Residenzpflicht): they have to remain Although regulations on the right to stay in their assigned district permanently.29 in Germany were introduced during With the Transposition Act of 26th the last years, more than 22,000 minors November 2012 the Article 10 of the in Germany still have this status of EU-Return-Directive came into force. 27 More detailed: Bundesfachverband UMF “exceptional leave to remain”.23 24 § 58 1a Residence Act states that / : Unbegleitete minderjährige Flüchtlinge schutzlos gestellt an unaccompanied minor refugee Regarding the interpretation of the new § can only be returned if there is the 58 Abs. 1a Residence Act by the Federal 21 www.b-umf.de possibility to return to parents, a Office and the evolving protection gaps, see http://b-umf.de/images/pro%20 guardian or specialised care. This child- 22 After having received a rejection of the asyl_bundesfachverband%20umf_ application for asylum, the aggrieved party friendly regulation has quite negative stellungnahme_%2058%20abs.%201a%20 often has to claim for years in order to consequences, because of a disputed aufenthg_august2012.pdf obtain protection from deportation. It is interpretation by the Federal Office for unknown how many former child soldiers 28 Only married couples who can prove Migration and Refugees (Bundesamt are deported because they do not get evidence of a state-approved marriage professional support and are overstrained für Migration und Flüchtlinge, BAMF). (certificate of marriage) as well as parents with filing a suit for humanitarian protection The Federal Office argues, that and their minor children have a right to live before the law. in the same place. The allocation procedure because of the new paragraph, national does not take into account friends or 23 Source: Central Foreigners Registry subsidiary protection based on specific relatives such as siblings, adult children, (Ausländerzentralregister) risks related to minor age will not be uncles or aunts who are already living in 26 Germany. 24 Before this regulation was passed, an granted any more. Because of this estimated 200,000 people were living in the number of children being entitled 29 If they want to leave the „area of the Germany with the status of “exceptional to protection according to Residence physical restriction“, they have to apply leave to remain”, 140,000 of those since more for it in due time at the Foreign Resident than five years and 50,000 since more than Authority, giving specific details on the 10 years. In the context of the Residence Act, destination address and the reasons for 30,000 people got a limited residence permit the journey. The decision on the approval valid until the end of the year 2009. Many of 25 In 2009, 7,289 persons were deported depends on the judgement of the Foreign them have lost their residence status again by air. (http://dip21.bundestag.de/dip21/ Resident Authority who decides if the because in times of economic crisis and after btd/17/006/1700644.pdf) application is in line with “urgent public years of forced unemployment, they were need or compulsory, or if the rejection of the not be able to claim public support for their 26 The Federal Admininstrative Court approval would be an inequitable hardship” subsistence. (www.aktion-bleiberecht.de) will decide about a pending case and this (§ 58 Subsection 1 of the Asylum Procedure practice in general in spring 2013. Act). Between Fear and Hope – Child Soldiers as Refugees in Germany terre des hommes – B-UMF

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After years of criticism by human rights erberleistungsgesetz, AsylbLG), they approximately six weeks) to see organisations, most of the German have to live from “basic benefits” which whether there is a German, EU citizen States have revised their policy, are “granted mainly as non-cash ben- or a privileged member of a third e.g. asylum-seekers have now the efits”. The refugees either get shopping country eligible for the position first. possibility to travel without permission vouchers which can only be used in inside the particular state.30 Before, selected shops, or they get food parcels. When refugees are recognised the residential obligation frequently 32 The German Constitutional Court according to article 16a of the German lead to the isolation of people; for declares the amount of money which Constitutional Law or according to the example, it often prevented them from was paid to the applicant as not in line Geneva Convention on Refugees, they participating in German lessons or with the Constitution.33 Until then the are entitled to social benefits and a events, or visiting friends or relatives. benefits have not been raised since the general work permit. Until now there are still restrictions.31 introduction of the Asylum Seekers Benefit Act in 1993, and they amount Asylum seekers in Germany are obliged to 35 % less than unemployment ben- 1 .4 .3 Unaccompanied minor to live in common quarters. The efits%: the heads of the household refugees conditions are often extremely bad – get 224.97 euros per month and they they might live in containers or former receive 199.40 euros for each minor, In Germany, unaccompanied minor barracks. Refugees who are single are even sometimes when they live alone. refugees are entitled to accommodation usually accommodated in shared rooms, In some states, unaccompanied minor and care in child and youth welfare with people who are strangers and who refugees are treated in the same way as institutions. come from different backgrounds. In other young people and receive support most cases, a refugee has a personal according to the Social Code, Book Refugees are regarded as “asylmündig” space of 4.5 to 6 square metres. VIII (Sozialgesetzbuch, SGB VIII). or capable of acting in the asylum- Backdated to January 2012 the persons procedure from the age of 16, i.e. they In these common quarters, the refugees concerned can claim for a higher rate. can apply for asylum even though often have neither their own bathroom they are minors. Unaccompanied nor their own kitchen. The common Refugees with unsecured residence are minor refugees can receive support by rooms are usually very poorly equipped not beneficiaries of state health insu- special case workers.34 Until 2005, and in poor hygienic conditions (see rance. In the first four years, medical unaccompanied minors aged 16 and 17 Pieper 2008). care is reduced to the treatment of were usually treated as adults on the “acute illness and states of pain” ( Asy- basis of their “capability for asylum”: Since people live together in a small lum Seekers Benefit Act § 4). Medical they were neither granted special space, in bad circumstances, there care is financed by the Social Welfare accommodation or educational care. is a high potential for conflicts. In Office, upon request but the interpre- The Act on the Further Development some places, police raids are common tation of the term “acute” can differ. It of Child and Youth Services (KICK) especially at night, when drug dealers is generally difficult to get approval for came into effect on 1 October 2005. It or illegal residents are sought. These psychotherapy. states explicitly that unaccompanied poor conditions often have a serious youths aged 16 and 17 have to be taken impact on people who are already After one year, asylum seekers can care of by the youth welfare office. 35 traumatised. apply for a concrete job or training Since that time, this age group has been with the immigration authorities. But In the first year, persons seeking asylum before the immigration authorities and those with an “exceptional leave can grant a work permit, the 34 The BAMF endeavours to provide to remain” are generally prohibited local employment agency carries specifically trained staff fort he hearings of from employment. According to the out a “priority check” (that takes unaccompanied minor refugees as well as to improve the hearing situation, in order to Asylum Seekers Benefit Act (Asylbew- meet their needs.

32 Since non-cash benefits are more cost- 30 www.proasyl.de/fileadmin/fm- intensive for communities and due to 35 The unaccompanied entry is stipulated dam/q_PUBLIKATIONEN/2013/ discrimination by shopping with vouchers, as an independent criterion for custodial Residenzpflicht_-_Bundesweite_Synopse_-_ in many places cash benefits are granted. care, according to § 42 Subsection 1, Clause Stand_Januar_2013.pdf 1 Nr. 3 of the Child and Youth Services Act, codified in the EighthBook of Social Law 31 www.stoppt-racial-profiling.de/ 33 Bundesverfassungsgericht (Constitutional SBG III. pressespiegel/ Court): 1 BvL 2/11 Between Fear and Hope – Child Soldiers as Refugees in Germany terre des hommes – B-UMF 11

absorbed by youth welfare institutions, residence permits (according to § 10 The regulation on employment but the law is not implemented Subsection 3 of the Residence Act).36 procedure Beschäftigungsverfahrens- everywhere. verordnung BeschVerfV) came into Since the enforcement of the KICK effect on January 1, 2009 and thus The discrimination of former child law, for all unaccompanied minors, improved the young refugees’ training soldiers due to their age is connected including those minors who are chances. According to § 10 Subsection to many aspects of this study - “capable of acting”, an application to 2, they can get a work permit for a regarding the nature of their reception establish a guardian must be claimed. recognised job that requires training, in Germany for example, their access The age assessment is an additional without going through a priority check, to resources, the availability of social challenge. From the part of the once they have been in Germany for support services (Eighth Book of the administration, the assumed age can over a year. If they qualify and can earn Social Code (SGB VIII) or Asylum be defined after a visual inspection or a a living they can get a residence permit Seekers Benefit Act) or access to controversial medical examination, e.g. if they fulfil the conditions of §18a of education. Since there is no standard of a hand’s carpal bones. This practice the Residence Act and do not obstruct on how to treat people affected, the also varies from state to state. On measures that could terminate their situation for the interview partners in average, the amount of young refugees residency. this study varies. being rated older than they declare themselves is significant. Some Federal States have introduced 1 4. 5. Particularly vulnerable special clarification phase in refugees specialised homes, where newly 1 .4 .4 Education and training arrived minors are absorbed during the The care for particularly vulnerable first phase in the country, in order to Many young refugees are highly refugees is defined by EU clarify their needs and to understand motivated to learn German and to get guidelines. Part of the groups which measures are possible and a German school certificate. Due to defined as particularly vulnerable are reasonable. In other states, minors the circumstances in their countries (unaccompanied) minors, disabled are placed in common reception of origin, they were often only able to people, pregnant women, single parents centres where no special support for go to school with difficulty it at all and with minors and people who have unaccompanied is provided. There are irregularly. In contrast to the specialised suffered from torture, rape or other still cases in which minors are also homes during the clarification phase severe forms of psychological, physical placed in reception centres together where youths have access to education, or sexual violence. Even if former with adult persons. the „initial reception centres“ child soldiers are not named explicitly, (Erstaufnahmeeinrichtung) do not according to this definition they belong If former child soldiers are already provide such services. to this group of particularly vulnerable adult, access to qualified pedagogical refugees, since they have been victims of care often is not granted, and nor is The access to the education system extreme violence and often also because language acquisition or education. In depends on the laws of the respective of their young age. many places, there is a general lack of state. Compulsory education and the qualified and independent counselling right to education, usually up to the age The guidelines allow for the specific that could help youths take the of 16, exists in all states and also applies circumstances of particularly vulnerable best decisions within the elaborate to refugees. Because of the federal refugees to be taken into account asylum and residence system. A structure there are different approaches when decisions regarding medical good advisory service regarding in Germany. In some states minors can care and material support are taken. asylum and residence is essential, only go to school until the age of 16, in Although the guidelines were issued in especially because an unpromising others they can attend classes until 25. 2003, Germany has not yet established application for asylum can be rejected proceedings which would allow for as “clearly unfounded” (following § 30 the definition of the particular need to Subsection 3 of the Asylum Procedure protect refugees according to the EU Act (Asylverfahrensgesetz)), which in 36 Residence permits can only be issued guidelines, and of the basis on which in case a claim for conferral is on hand. It 37 turn makes it impossible to get other is true though that most residence permits the required support can be granted. “can” or “should” be granted, which does not constitute a right related to § 10 Subsection 3. 37 The “Report from the Commission to the Council and to the European Parliament Between Fear and Hope – Child Soldiers as Refugees in Germany terre des hommes – B-UMF

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1 .5 Trauma and therapy caused by man-made disasters such as have been kidnapped and forcefully for former child soldiers war, torture or rape have more serious recruited are particularly vulnerable to consequences than natural disasters for the experience of feeling totally at the example, because they fundamentally mercy of someone. Generally, a large proportion of undermine the trust in human refugees are traumatised. The relationships. The risk factors include initial levels Psychological Research and Outpatient of stress arising from previous stressful Clinic for Refugees at the University Often, child soldiers are exposed to experiences or already existing psycho- of Konstanz found that approximately experiences of extreme violence for a logical disorders, but they also include 40 % of asylum seekers suffer from long period and without protection. the present living circumstances of a post-traumatic stress disorder.38 It can Many of them witness the violation, person. Child soldiers often grew up in be assumed that, among former child mutilation and assassination of other war zones and already have a predispo- soldiers, this percentage is even higher human beings, sometimes even their sition to stress because of previous war because of their specific experiences. own relatives. Most former child experiences. soldiers have personally experienced According to the World Health kidnapping, abuse, torture and rape. An essential factor for protection is Organisation’s “International And many of them have been forced to the social support experienced after a Classification of Diseases” (ICD become perpetrators, which can also traumatic event. Usually, armed units 10), trauma “arises as a delayed or have traumatising effects: apart from do not provide space for children protracted response to a stressful the burdensome memories, the children to process stressful experiences and event or situation (of either brief or and youths often suffer from massive feelings. Staffs in youth welfare institu- long duration) of an exceptionally feelings of guilt and shame. tions and therapists therefore have an threatening or catastrophic nature, important role to play, when a child which is likely to cause pervasive Not everyone develops long-lasting soldier manages to escape. Other pro- distress in almost anyone”. (ICD symptoms of psychological stress tecting factors are the skills, resources 10, F 43.1: http://apps.who.int/ when exposed to stressful events. and positive experiences someone has classifications/apps/icd/icd10online/) Circumstances, risk and protection acquired or made in his or her life. factors come together and can lead The impact of traumatic events to the development of post-traumatic In general, children and youth are at depends on their type and duration. stress disorder but this does not have to higher risk of trauma after stressful One-off or short traumatic events (Type be the case. events because their possibilities and I trauma) can be better dealt with than abilities to cope are limited by to their those which are repeated or last for The events can influence the gravity young age. a long time (Type II trauma). Trauma and extent of trauma. According to Maier, “the experiences of victims of torture and war differ in two 1 .5 .1 Post-traumatic stress on the application of Directive 2003/9/EC main points from normal trauma: of 27 January 2003 laying down minimum disorder (PTSD) and other standards for the reception of asylum first, in quality – that is the intensity, consequences of trauma seekers” expounds problems of inadequate gravity and brutality, therefore in the implementation in Germany and declares repetition, frequency and long duration After experiencing a traumatic event, that the “identification of vulnerable asylum of the threat. These two factors are seekers is a core element without which the coping mechanisms of a person can the provisions of the Directive aimed at decisive for the development of post be overstrained by the coming together special treatment of these persons will loose traumatic disorders and other persistent of the above-mentioned factors and any meaning” (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/ symptoms. When experiencing war LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:52 post-traumatic stress disorder can and torture, life, physical and mental 007DC0745:EN:NOT). develop. There are three typical groups integrity are fundamentally threatened, of symptoms: and furthermore, the material, social 38 Gäbel, U. et al.., Psychologische Forschungs- und Modellambulanz für and cultural foundations are destroyed” • Re-experiencing symptoms, also Flüchtlinge, University of Konstanz (Maier 2007, p. 40). called “flashbacks” (2006) Prävalenz der Posttraumatischen Belastungsstörung (PTSD) und The event factor also includes the extent Möglichkeiten der Ermittlung in der Traumatic events cannot be stored Asylverfahrenspraxis. In: Zeitschrift für of which a traumatic event can be as “normal” memories. Time and klinische Psychologie und Psychotherapie, expected and controlled. Children who again, they appear in the form of Göttingen: Horgrefe Verlag. Between Fear and Hope – Child Soldiers as Refugees in Germany terre des hommes – B-UMF 13

nightmares or repetitive and persistent Traumatic events that take place when hopeless and desperate, can also lead memories. The remembering of a people are very young or which are to the symptoms becoming more acute trauma is accompanied by intensive particularly serious can trigger far and even to suicide. mental stress: physical reactions such more serious disorders than PTSD. as trembling, palpitation or dyspnoea The Disorder of Extreme Stress Not can occur. Vivid memories can also Otherwise Specified (DESNOS) is not 1 .5 .2 Therapeutic care and sup- overwhelm a victim in the form of yet included in international systems port for former child soldiers in flashbacks, in the sense that they feel of diagnosis. Survivors of war and Germany they are once again in the traumatising torture can display serious damage situation. Flashbacks can be triggered regarding the regulation of emotions, A number of therapeutic methods to by stimuli which recall the traumatic consciousness, self-perception and deal with dysfunctions resulting from situation – such as the uniforms of awareness of the body as well as social trauma have been developed over police or security officers, or customs relations(see Herman 1992). recent years.39 Concepts that take personnel. cultural dimensions into account are • Suicidal tendencies particularly significant for the target • Avoidance symptoms group of former child soldiers. People affected by PTSD are eight People affected by PTSD often try times more likely to attempt suicide Former child soldiers often face to avoid stimuli which could remind than the general population (see problems finding appropriate them of the traumatic event. For Huber 2003). Depression, which therapeutic care and support. On the example they might not watch war affects many traumatised people, can one hand, the possibilities to provide movies or will avoid talking about their result in higher suicidal tendencies. therapy for refugees with insecure experiences. Avoidance can also be People who have announced they residence status are restricted by the subconscious – it can be represented will commit suicide or have already benefit law. On the by social withdrawal, extreme attempted suicide are particularly other, institutions providing regular forgetfulness or dissociation, and it can vulnerable, as are people who have care and established therapists become a general feeling of numbness experienced war, torture, sexual sometimes feel overstrained by the or alienation from the world and other violence or persecution related complexity of the problem (trauma, people. to racism, religion or politics (see different cultural background, possible Dorrmann 2006). Somebody who feels language barriers and guilt). Because • Increased agitation caused by fear helpless, hopeless and has few chances of this, former child soldiers in of a better future is more likely to Germany are more likely to be cared Permanent tension can result in commit suicide (see Davison & Neale for and treated in psychosocial centres extreme alertness, strong reactions of 2001). for refugees and victims of torture. alarm and shock, irritation and fits of These are usually specialised in trans- rage, insomnia and/or difficulties to When there is a lack of clarity about cultural and trauma-related issues and concentrate. residence status, the situation can are financed by donations or other be extremely stressful and can lead financial aid. Thus, young refugees can • Other consequences of trauma to the destabilisation of an asylum be accepted as clients even if they do seeker’s mental state and to complete not have health insurance or without Post-traumatic stress disorder is decompensation. If there is a threat the consent of the local social welfare one of several possible results of of being deported (for example office that would otherwise have to traumatic events. The symptoms can ahead of reaching adulthood), many incur the costs. go far beyond those outlined above. traumatised young refugees become Support from the psychosocial centres Victims of trauma often suffer from desperate : returning to the country includes not only (trauma)therapeutic strong symptoms of depression (such where they went through traumatic care but also supportive group as brooding, aboulia, feelings of guilt experiences could pose a real threat measures such as social stabilisation and worthlessness). According to to their lives because of revenge or (residence law, accommodation, Maier, 70 % of trauma patients suffer persecution by former fighters. And from comorbid depression (Maier and even if there is no specific trigger, Schnyder 2007, p 64). stress caused by past traumatic 39 see Fischer 1999 / 2003, Flatten 2001, events, combined with the situation Hanswille; Kissenbeck 2008, Huber 2003, in Germany, if it is perceived as being Reddemann 2004, Shapiro 1998, Van der Kolk et al. 2000 Between Fear and Hope – Child Soldiers as Refugees in Germany terre des hommes – B-UMF

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education, work permit for training etc.).

The capacities in the 20 centres however are limited; therefore, not all applicants can be supported and sometimes their names have to be put on long waiting lists. Furthermore, not all regions in Germany have such centres. Therefore, it is urgent that the provision for the care and support of traumatised refugees such as former child soldiers be expanded. Between Fear and Hope – Child Soldiers as Refugees in Germany terre des hommes – B-UMF 15

2. Interviews with former child soldiers

2 .1 Interview partners their participation in interviews, the who took care of me. He was a pastor taboos connected to the use of minors but he also died. (…) Maybe it was not The interview partners for the study in armed conflict often affect the easy for him to send his children to were identified with the help of various willingness of the person concerned to school and he could not take care of institutions throughout Germany, talk about it. In this context, it seems me and my life. I was forced to leave including the Federal Association for easier for interview partners from and to look for something (…), to look Unaccompanied Refugee Minors, the Sierra Leone (where the armed conflict for survival in the forest.” (Jean, 16, networks of psychosocial centres for has come to an end) to talk than for Congo) refugees and victims of torture and young refugees from countries that are 41 the refugee councils. In the course of still at war. Two interview partners were from one year, 17 interview partners were wealthy, intellectual families. identified in Bavaria, Berlin, Lower Saxony, North-Rhine Westphalia and 2.2 Experiences in the “My mother told me that they Rhineland-Palatinate.40 countries of origin returned to Sudan in 1980 when they were invited (…) to participate Most of the interviews were conducted in the peace process. My father was 2 .2 .1 Childhood prior to the between December 2008 and May part of the black elite living abroad, recruitment into the armed group 2009. The names of all interview who could easily influence the local partners were changed. population.” (Peter, 22, Sudan) • Family background and social environment The present study takes into account • Educational opportunities in the the statements of 14 interview partners. countries of origin The majority of the interview partners Ten interview partners came to came from rather poor families. Germany as unaccompanied minors: The chance to attend classes depended The situation at home with the family eight of them had already reached on the financial situation of the was described in a positive way by the age of consent while two were families and they were limited for several interview partners. Some of still minors. The other five interview most interview partners. them grew up with single mothers. partners were already adults when they reached Germany. It should also be “I grew up with my mum, and later, “We had a very normal life. My mother highlighted that three young women after I had finished my primary always took care of us, she worked for were interviewed. It is particularly education, my mum didn’t have the all of us because my father had already difficult for many former female child money to pay for higher education’’.” died. (…) She sold fruit, she sold things soldiers to talk about their situation (Salomon, 24, Uganda) in order to take care of us, so that we since they are often heavily burdened could go to school. (…) She was a very by having been victims of extreme A parent’s death also had a negative strong woman.” (Chérif, 20, ) sexual violence. impact on educational opportunities.

Some interview partners had Various factors make access to former “I started school in Freetown, with my experienced the death of one or both child soldiers as interview partners uncle. At that time, my parents were parents in childhood. difficult. Apart from the mental stress alive, my father and my mother, all which can be a major impediment to of them they were alive. Till - until I “When I was still a child, three years reached class six, then my father died old, I lost my daddy. When I was five, it when he was bitten by a snake. And 40 The idea was to conduct interviews was my mum who left me. I started to I stopped - I stopped my schooling with 10 to 15 former child soldiers. Their face life by myself, in the hands of my for financial reasons. Then I had to biographies were to be characterised by mother’s relatives. And I had an uncle varying factors such as sex, age, country go back to the village with my mum of origin, nature of recruitment and and my brothers and sisters. Then deployment, level of education, time my mother took me to learn a trade, 41 For example, former child soldiers from spent in Germany, residence status and which was tailoring.” (Abdul H., 25, living conditions linked to those factors. Sri Lanka were not in a position to be Some social workers and therapists gave interviewed or their therapists found the Sierra Leone) feedback that they would not recommend burden too high for them. Despite intensive the involvement of their clients in the study efforts it proved impossible to identify Most of the interview partners who due to the psychological stress, or that their interview partners from Arab or Asian grew up in conflict zones could not go clients were not ready for it. countries before the study was completed. Between Fear and Hope – Child Soldiers as Refugees in Germany terre des hommes – B-UMF

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Overview of interviewees

Name Country of Age at Age at Period as (child) Age at date Residence permit origin date of date of soldier of entry to status interview recruitment Germany

1 Hassan A. Sierra Leone 16 7 several months up 16 Residence permit for to years the period of the asy- lum procedure

2 Jean P. Congo 16 15 one week 16 Exceptional leave to remain

3 Chérif C. Guinea 20 12 three years 15 limited residence per- mit

4 David K. Sierra Leone 19 9 three years 16 limited residence per- mit

5 Peter D. Sudan 22 13 two years 15 limited residence per- mit

6 Steve J. Sierra Leone 18 7 several years 17 Residence permit for the period of the asy- lum procedure

7 Mike M. Sierra Leone 24 8 six years 14 unlimited residence permit

8 Abdoulaye M. Sierra Leone 18 8 several weeks 16 Exceptional leave to remain

9 Kate K. Uganda 25 15 five years 20 limited residence per- mit

10 Grace C. Uganda 25 16 one year 18 unlimited residence permit

11 Rose P. Uganda 19 12 five years 17 limited residence per- mit

12 Abdul H. Sierra Leone 25 12 six years 18 Exceptional leave to remain

13 Belay N. Eritrea 27 16 eight years 24 limited residence per- mit

14 Salomon Z. Uganda 24 12 eight years 23 Residence permit for the period of the asy- lum procedure Between Fear and Hope – Child Soldiers as Refugees in Germany terre des hommes – B-UMF 17

to school on a regular basis because of protect himself from being recruited as Five interview partners experienced the the war. child soldier. murder of their father or mother in the context of their recruitment. “Sometimes we were to elementary school, yes, under trees or in grass “There was the threat that I may “One day the rebels started to attack thatched huts, where we learnt the have to go to war like a child soldier cities in Sierra Leone. And my father alphabet. But it was not like this every because (…) that was a law (…) said we should now run away from day. Many parents didn’t even bring that every child who was physically the village where we were living, to their children there because everybody strong, no matter what age, as soon another place with soldiers, so that was afraid their children ‘wouldn’t as one can hold a gun, you just get when the rebels would come, the come home because there was a lot this AK-47, you are just forced to go soldiers would defend us and nothing of violence, (…) children were simply to war. (…) This was a time when my could happen to us. But when we kidnapped and then sold into slavery mother was very worried. (…) Long, were on the road, the rebels stopped because everything is possible in a war long time, long, long months, (…) us. They gave us things to carry, and zone. Someone who has a gun simply almost two Christmas came and I lay we had to go with them. And all of a is like a god.” (Peter, 22, Sudan) in my hole under the floor. (…) I could sudden, a rebel came and said, take it only come out when it was dark and, now, we don’t have time, we have to • Exposure to war prior to the oh god, there were things that you can go. And my mother said she couldn’t recruitment into armed forces see, that you can hear, but I hung out do it anymore, she would rather die in my hole because I just didn’t want but she simply can’t carry anymore, Most of the interview partners felt that to die. Because I also simply didn’t and then they did a lot of things to my their childhood had been affected by want to go to war. (…) For me, this is mom (stops) and in the end, they killed the war. the only reason why I am still alive.” her. Just in front of my eyes. And then (Peter, 22, Sudan) we went with them to a camp where “I grew up in a normal way, I mean the rebels were staying.” (Hassan, 16, I played like other children but (…) I • Kidnapping Sierra Leone) wouldn’t call this a normal childhood. (…) I was born in a war zone where Eight of the interview partners were The three female interview partners there was war and unrest and the only kidnapped when rebel groups attacked from Uganda were also abducted: two thing you saw was destruction. (…) their villages. by rebels and one by the Ugandan There was hunger everywhere, you government forces. could see children who were just skin and bones because their parents could not feed them. (…) I still remember this picture. (…) I always asked my mother Case Study 1 why these children are like this, why we couldn’t just give them something Hassan A. , 16, comes from a rural vived as street child and domestic to eat. Yes, but then the explanations family in Sierra Leone. When he servant with private persons. Since came, that we cannot give food to the was seven years old, his whole he was being threatened for being whole village.” (Peter, 22, Sudan) family was abducted by rebels of a former member of the rebels, he the »Revolutionary United Front« decided to flee. Through the sale of (RUF), his mother was killed shortly a diamond, which he still kept from 2 .2 .2 Recruitment after. He, his sister, and his father the time with the rebels, he was were used as fighters. His father able to finance his escape. A person Most of the interview partners were died during this time with the who assisted him with his escape forced in different ways to become part rebels. After some time (he cannot accompanied him in the airplane of an armed group or armed force. esxactly specify the time period) to Germany. He is still living in an he was released with his sister, initial reception centre for adults • Attempts to avoid the risk of who was pregnant at the time, and and has a . Due to the recruitment fled with her to the neighbouring psychological pressure and distress country , where she died. He no asylum hearing has taken place One interview partner lived in a returned to Sierra Leone and sur- thus far. hideout from the age of 10 in order to Between Fear and Hope – Child Soldiers as Refugees in Germany terre des hommes – B-UMF

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heavily) I was brought to a place Case Study 2 where I was put into prison.” (Jean, 16, Congo) Jean P., 16, is from the Democratic insecure and did not see any future Republic of Congo. As an orphan prospects for himself. A catholic • “Voluntary” recruitment into the child he was early obliged to earn cleric helped him to escape to Ger- armed forces during war his living, which he tried by colle- many by taking him with him on a cting plants in the forest which he plane to a pilgrimage. At the time Three interview partners decided to could sell. Doing this, when he was of the interview, the 16 year-old has join armed forces during the war. 15 years old, he was forcibly recrui- been living in a youth care institu- ted by soldiers, taken to a military tion for six months, where he feels One youth describes how he was rec- camp and abused. Since he neither comfortable and attends a German ruited as child soldier when he was 12 wanted to be a soldier nor to kill, course. He wants to continue to go years old. This was after he had lost he fled after a few days. The mili- to school and go to university one his relatives when they tried to flee tary was looking for him, therefore day. He has not submitted an asy- from a rebel attack. he was not able to return to his lum request so far and was granted home village. People from church an ‘exeptional leave to remain’. His “It was midnight and we were slee- took him to the capital Kinshasa guardian is pledging for non-depor- ping, then we heard the weapons and hoping he could stay at a local tation due to humanitarian reasons people crying outside: the rebels are orphanage. However, in Kinshasa at the Aliens Authority. here, the rebels are here! We went out he had to live on the streets, he felt and there were many people on the road who were running towards the military camp and I don’t remember well but then it happened, the rebels “The rebels came till I was 15, (…) they soldiers, and later I came to be like a are between the people and… (stops) came often, but this last time they came full soldier. And I remember around I lost my mother and my little brother and kidnapped me. No, it was not the age of 14, I could use the gun, on that day. I looked for them every- rebels, it was a soldier, he kidnapped everything, the gun and the pistol, and I where, did not find them and in the me and took me to the barracks.” could even go out with them to different morning (low voice) we went to this (Kate, 25, Uganda) missions.” (Salomon, 24, Uganda) camp, we ask there. But the military was already there, they had almost • Involvement in armed groups • Forced recruitment lost the war against the rebels. They within a family context wanted young people to volunteer, to One youth explains how he was help fighting the rebels. They had this One interview partner said that his recruited forcefully by soldiers: list and there were many youth who mother had not been able to afford “In my country, the Congo, there put their names for fighting against the school fees. She had therefore asked is more in the forest than business rebels.” (Chérif, 20, Guinea) his uncle to take care of him. This people, brigades of soldiers who beat uncle was in the military and the boy the people there in the villages. Good, • Joining armed forces for eco- was expected to undergo army training. once when I got there, I was there nomic reasons with my manioc, all of a sudden I was “She took me to my uncle. (…) He surrounded by people on the road, One youth decided to voluntarily join was in the national army. (…) I started people who had guns and they said give the government troops when he was working for him, in his house, like all that you have. I had some coins in 16 years old, in order to support his house work, working for him. Later, my pockets, they took them away from family financially. He said that after after some time, about two, three years, me. (…) We take you with us, you have he had joined he was not allowed to then he was like, I could join the army, to do military training. Okay. I didn’t leave the armed forces. he told me to join the army. By then understand what a military training is I was twelve. Actually I didn’t just go like. Because I was shy, in this moment “I went to primary school, elemen- direct into the army, I started going tears were running down my cheeks. tary. After that, I wanted to help my with him to training, (…) where he They told me: Because you are so shy family. Then I didn’t go to class 7. was training some other soldiers, so I we will beat you with the whip so that Then, at 16, I went to the soldiers. got involved from the age of twelve. you grow a bit stronger. But I cried all Then I wanted to go back, I had many Time went on, I was training with the the time, many tears. Then (breathing Between Fear and Hope – Child Soldiers as Refugees in Germany terre des hommes – B-UMF 19

papers from my school and from my when I just come sometimes to think • Armed conflicts and violence home, from my family. But the com- of this - sometimes I just say like if it’s against the civilian population mander of told me I couldn’t. I did six a dream or like somebody is watching months regular military service, six a movie, you know? (….) then- we Many interview partners were deplo- months in a camp. Then from there, kept on moving, (…) I don’t know yed during battles against other armed six months,we went to war.” (Belay, where I went, everything was - you groups and also in the course of attacks 27, Eritrea) could see things were not in order. on villages. Houses were burning, cars were on fire, people were dying, people are - Some armed groups like the RUF in 2 .2 .3 Deployment and responsibi- everything. Passing dead bodies, you Sierra Leone seemed to explicitly use lities as child soldier were so tired, you cannot stop, when children and youths for conducting acts you want to stop, they beat you.” of violence against the civilian popula- • Military training (David, 19, Sierra Leone) tion.

Few of the interview partners had • Helper for supplies and military “When we were in this camp we were undergone a specific training as sol- services somewhat like a dog and had to do dier. everything by force, we just do what Children are partly used to help sup- they told us. I think there is nothing “When you get there the first time you ply the armed units. Two interview bad I haven’t done yet. (…) When we first have to learn to do exercises. (…) partners had to provide support for were in this camp, they always come You do these things before learning military tasks. with people whom they have arrested to kill, to use weapons.” (Jean, 16, or who did something wrong somehow Congo) “You had to fill the magazines, the or who they suspect that they want to weapons and give them to them, carry escape and run away from the camp. Most interviewees said that they were some of the ammunition for them.” They always gave us knives to cut or given tasks, which they had to learn (David, 19, Sierra Leone) chop off the hands. Sometimes child- to fulfil basically by themselves, right ren – the hands of children are cut off from the start. • Services as spies and messengers easily, and the hands of adults some- times remain attached to them a bit. Since they were very young and Some interview partners said that the And sometimes when they have women newly-recruited child soldiers, most armed forces specifically used children who they want to kill they say we had a kind of a special status in the as spies and messengers since they have to shoot these people. When we beginning but were soon deployed as were less suspect to the enemy than shot these people, then we became a regular soldiers. Nearly all the inter- grown-ups: man. (…) And sometimes they brought view partners were actively involved soldiers from the war or the frontline, in battles – only one male managed “If for example they wanted to attack they give us knives, we have to cut off to escape beforehand and two female a United Nations troop, they would the ears, sometimes (stops) remove the interview partners did not make any send one of these boys, because (…) eyes.” (Hassan, 16, Sierra Leone) specific statements about this topic. if they see a young boy like this, they Other tasks that were given to them don’t know actually about, they just • Acts of violence against family are outlined below: think, he’s ordinary, he is looking for members and community members his family or so, he’s lost, he’s trying According to the youths’ accounts, the • Carrier to survive, looking for a place to go. RUF forced children and youths who The interview partners who had been So, this boy, they send him and he will were recruited into their group to first abducted by the Sierra Leonean RUF look, where, how these people are, in commit in their own villages, rebel group said that they were used as what situation, so he will just go back burning down huts for example: carriers at the beginning. and say the people, they are lots, they are in this situation, so we can attack “When they catch me in our village, at “They gave us things to carry, some of at so-so time.” (Abdoulaye, 18, Sierra first, that is the law, when they - any- the items - the things, that they - the Leone) body caught in that village, you are the goods they had stolen, we had to carry people that they are going to use to do it for them and then, carry food for bad in your village. (…) At first I start them, water for them, (breathes out) with burning houses, because they- they Between Fear and Hope – Child Soldiers as Refugees in Germany terre des hommes – B-UMF

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give me petrol, I will use petrol to have to go stealing. (…) Break shops armed groups to be available for rape burn houses. (…) I don’t have the wil- and bring out whatever thing you can by one or several fighters. ling (breathing in) but (breathing out) lay your hands on for feeding. (…) 80 “It was a soldier. He kidnapped me you will see examples that they will do % of it is going to the boss. Then 20 and took me to the barracks. And to other peoples, that if they tell you % stays with us. And you can imagine made me his wife or turned me to be something to do, that you don’t do it, how many we were then.” (Steve, 18, his wife. Then I had my children. I at that instant is clear, at that moment, Sierra Leone) passed through (gentle moaning) hard they kill you. Because they- you have times, very hard times with him. With this order, you have disobeyed their • Recruiting other child soldiers him and with the situation also, in the order, so you have to do, you have to country. We didn’t have money, we force yourself to do what you don’t Some interview partners had to recruit didn’t have something to eat. He did want to do. So, I have to force myself, other children as soldiers when they not help us. He was - he treated me I did what they told me, like burning were attacking villages: like, you know, like a slave. He used houses is where I started- started to beat me.” (Kate, 25, Uganda) with.” (Abdul H., 25, Sierra Leone) „Anywhere you go, when you - we- ambush, when people run or – who • Particular services of children in • Attacks and looting - who is fortunate will be caught, we armed forces catch, we will have to recruit to join The child soldiers were involved in us, will join us, who are not capable- Some interview partners remember attacks. Some of the items looted in capable of joining us, we kill, other we that children were particularly pro- the course of the attacks were used for cut hand. Understand? So we have to tected in certain situations. They were their own consumption but the grea- fight this war.” (Abdul H., 25, Sierra brought to safe areas during fights for test proportion had to be handed over Leone) example. to the commander of the group. • Female child soldiers as victims “When they are fighting, we have to “We loot shops. That is the way we of sexual violence be staying behind and notice, that feed. At times, when we need food, we they are protecting us, and at the same go and break laws. (…) Nobody gets Some abducted girls were kept by the time, because we were something like a special supply of food. No. You also an asset (…) to them, because we are carrying their food and their things, Case Study 3 so, we have to be staying back, and after we have to move.” (David, 19, Chérif C., 20, comes from Guinea. allowed to attend school. Due to Sierra Leone) After the early death of his father, the suffering of severe trauma sym- his mother earned their living and ptoms, he then, upon advice from Other accounts instead indicate that funded the school fees of the two other Guineans, sought for support children were particularly used in the sons by selling foodstuffs at the in a psychosocial care centre for frontlines: local market. At the age of appro- refugees. After initial difficulties, he ximately twelve years Chérif was was able to stabilize after several “What I don’t really understand, we separated from his family during a years of intensive therapeutic and were the new youth, we were in front, rebel attack against his village and pedagogical support. His asylum and the, the commanders far, far subsequently recruited as ‘volun- request was declined. In subsequent behind. (…) (hesitating) Our group lost teer’ by soldiers of the national judicial proceedings it was possible many, many colleagues.” (Chérif, 20, army. Over three years he was used to successfully claim for the ‘sus- Guinea) as fighter. At the age of 15 he was pension of deportation’ due to his able to flee. During a patrol, he trauma suffering. After three years Rebel groups sometimes deliberately met a friend of his parents. This in Germany he was granted a limi- used children as protective shields friend sponsored and organised his ted residence permit. By now he is during battles since they assumed that escape to Germany by plane. He twenty years old, has graduated in their enemies would be hesitant to kill was housed in a refugee facility for secondary school and is currently children. Rebel groups also made use adults without any additional care. working. of the willingness of children to take Trying hard he managed to be greater risks than adults since they seemed to care less about the danger Between Fear and Hope – Child Soldiers as Refugees in Germany terre des hommes – B-UMF 21

and because they were eager to earn the respect of their commanders. Case Study 4

“And also they use these young, these David K., 19, is from Sierra Leone. assigned a guardian and was able child soldiers as we call them hostages His parents were small traders. When to attend school. The social worker or something like this. So they will just he was nine years old, rebels of the in school organized a place for treat- put them in front, sometimes, when RUF attacked their place of resi- ment in a centre for psychosocial for example the British troops were dence. His father was shot and David care of refugees. His asylum appli- fighting, if they see these young ones, abducted. He was first used as carrier, cation was first declined, but the they will not shoot. They will just but shortly after had to participate decision was later revised: After an try to defend themselves. (…) This is in armed fighting as well. For three intervention by his therapists high- sometimes how they intend to defeat years he was forced to participate in lighting his severe trauma he was the other troops, because they use them attacks on villages and active fighting granted ‘suspension of deportation’. as a human shield. They put them in until he was arrested. He spent three After two years in Germany he was front, give them gun. You would not years in detention and was eventually granted a limited residence permit. shoot at them when you see them.” able to flee. After he found out that Thanks to therapeutic and pedagogi- (Abdoulaye, 18, Sierra Leone) his mother had died as well in the cal support he was able to stabilize meantime, he stowed away on board psychologically. He is now 19 years of a ship. At the age of 16 he came to old, has graduated in secondary 2.2.4 Structures and experiences Germany and was accommodated in school and commenced an appren- within armed groups a refugee facility for adults. He was ticeship.

• Ideological framework

All armed groups have a particular at me. (..) In the morning, it was cold, “You know somebody, and then you ideology or objective in whose name we remove our shirts, you have to stay went to the battle, the person is down they claim to fight. Interview partners like this. They force you to make exer- like this, before you - he was shot and report about the “ideological training” cises, run laps, let yourself fall.” (Jean, then died, you are caught the trail, as which recruited children also had to 16, Congo) if there was nothing. You come back undergo prior to the military training. home, you could not even think about The interview partners also report that him, it’s like: ‘Oh, I was with John, “We are fighting for the country. commanders abused their power and oh- where is he? He died. Forget about Fighting to protect diamonds I have were difficult to reckon with: him. He has kicked the bucket.’ A new never set my eyes on. (…) Fighting to friend comes who always like - nobody protect our national resources. Fighting “I saw many problems with the com- is in your memory list, nobody is impor- against the government that doesn’t mander and the others. I wanted to tant to you.” (David, 19, Sierra Leone) want the good future for the kids.” talk a lot about it. (…) This was a big (Steve, 18, Sierra Leone) problem because the commander of Some interview partners report that the my group, he was strict, strict against commanders who were responsible for • Lack of rights and randomness in me. He didn’t want me to say what he them assumed a parental role: armed groups had done. But when I see something, I say everything. (…) Then we fought “I had a Commander who happened Several interview partners were with him. He just sent me to prison. to be kind of a godfather to me. (…) exposed to violence and humiliation I was there for six months, under the He was nice, he was nice in terms of, after they were recruited: ground.“ (Belay, 27, Eritrea) you know, war aspects. He had a good heart, inside of him, but externally “I was put into prison. (…) When you • Mentors in the armed group it’s not so. (…) He was more or less have to urinate you ask them: I want to like a father to me then. He didn’t let urinate. – No, you don’t have the right Few of the interview partners said they anything happen to me.” (Steve, 18, to urinate. Where you are sleeping, had friends within the armed units. Sierra Leone) maybe a man can urinate right next to They were less likely to establish close it, you know that he can just do it. (…) relationships because of the probability When I made a mistake, they shouted of losing mentors at any time and in a violent manner. Between Fear and Hope – Child Soldiers as Refugees in Germany terre des hommes – B-UMF

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• Drug abuse Case Study 5

Nearly all interview partners indicated Peter D., 22, is from South Sudan. of an aid organisation who sent that they were given drugs. The use His parents studied in the US and him to Germany by ship. Without of drugs helps to avoid perceiving belonged to the local intellectual any additional care or possibility negative feelings, especially fear, and elite. His father was a member to attend school, he was put in thus allows them to be controlled. At of the Sudan Peoples Liberation a shared faciliity for single men. the same time, the experiences become Army (SPLA) and was killed in After one year, due to his serious partially unreal. Trauma-typical front of the family when Peter trauma, he sought treatment in a reaction patterns such as dissociation was approximately ten years old. psychosocial centre for refugees. and derealisation have a similar effect. Great pressure was put on the Since then he has been receiving mother that Peter should join the intensive trauma therapy and “It was like a game for us by then, SPLA. For many months he was social-pedagogical support. The when we were smoking. It was like hiding to protect himself from the possibility of attending school watching a movie. So, I didn’t know recruitment by the rebels. When was also arranged for him. The by then that it was so bad. But later, Peter was approximately 13 years Federal Office for Migration and when the war becomes very quiet, old, the family was displaced Refugees granted Peter protection when we don’t smoke anymore, take from their village during clashes from deportation due to humani- drugs, then it is coming, when I am between troops of the national tarian reasons based on his severe sleeping. I always hear sounds and see army and the rebels. Peter joined trauma. After three years of living things which, which make me not to the SPLA to follow the example in Germany the 22-year-old recei- sleep and I get a headache.” (Chérif, of his father and also to protect ved a limited residence permit. In 20, Guinea) his mother. For approximately two the meantime, Peter graduated in years, he was used as fighter in school (vocational diploma) and • Survival strategies hostilities and as spy. At the age of has been studying at university for 15, he was picked up by members two years. The environment and the structures of the armed groups had a great impact on how the children and youths now it’s like - I already lost my father in it, when you are in, you can’t think of cope with their experiences of war and front of me, it’s like, I know that my running. In fact, where are you running violence mother also has gone and there is to? You can’t think of taking your own nowhere to go and then nothing to do. life, your life is more important to you. The accounts of youths who were And then, I cannot stay back because The people who are closer to you and abducted by the Sierra Leonean RUF I would lose my life too. (…) There is who are around you, even though they are particularly distinctive because a proverb which we always said that are your enemy, but they - they are of the strategic use of violence and once you fall in water, you just have still your friends, they are your family. randomness. At the beginning, the to keep on swimming. Because if you You have to look out for one another.” children and youth did not identify don’t swim, you get yourself drowned. (David, 19, Sierra Leone) with the objectives and behaviour of You’re already wet, so - do what you the armed groups. They were forced have to do. You have nothing to gain The accounts of the youths indicate to do things that they didn’t want to and you have nothing to lose.” (David, that it is hard for them to cope with the do. In the situation of hopelessness 19, Sierra Leone) experience of having killed people and and the war’s intensity however they at the same time having been exposed had no other option but to accept In such a situation of hopelessness and to the risk of death. Just one interview their fate. Some interview partners exposure, the armed group became the partner reports that he refused to kill said that after the initial shock and new environment and “home” for the and that he would have rather killed horror, they “got used” to their new children. himself instead: environment, that is, to the rebels and their activities. “Being a child soldier is like you just “I am not made fort his career, I cannot wish everything is only a dream or a make it. I am too shy. Also this work, “The fear was still there but it was game. Sometimes you wish you just the job as such which you learn, which terrible and I stopped crying because lie down and don’t get up again, you brings death. That is nothing for me. cannot, I mean - in the worst parts of Between Fear and Hope – Child Soldiers as Refugees in Germany terre des hommes – B-UMF 23

I said to myself, when it comes to the outside. (…) I cannot stay at home for very bad things in my village. Okay, I point that I have to learn it, I will try long. (…) Because when staying long, decided, okay, I said, let me just give my best to kill myself. (…) I cannot do then there are many problems. The it a try. (…) So when I go back home, what they want me to do, killing people. people are coming, the military. Then I I have one of my friends, he says: (…) Because I also lost my parents, this is just went back to the military.” (Belay, what can you do for this village. I said, a memory that remains in my head, I 27, Eritrea) ah, I said, but you don’t see, I am not would be so sorry to do the same to wicked, I don’t have intentions for - I other people, to hurt people. (…) When • Release don’t have any intention to join these I am in my bed at night I told myself if people, you know that. He said, yeah, necessary, when this happens to me, I Only one youth said that he was he said, why I am asking you, because will take the gun and kill myself, but if I released while the war was still going there are many people they have killed get a chance to escape, I escape. If they on: here because of - they joined these want to kill me, then they should kill rebels. So, all little I can advise you, me rather than living like this, because I “My sister was together with a rebel, you have to leave this village, so that cannot live like this.” (Jean, 16, Congo) and then she became pregnant. Because you will not die. Okay. So, me I decide of the pregnancy, the rebels released us to leave there. (…) My family was with two bodyguards. (…) They showed nowhere to be found. Because when 2 .2 .5 End of deployment as a child us a refugee camp. (…) We were in this they entered my village, everybody soldier camp, then they went back.” (Hassan, just scattered, who is fortunate- I don’t 16, Sierra Leone) even know up to now whether they • No chances of leaving the armed are alive or they are dead, that one I group of one’s own will • Demobilisation / end of the war don’t know. So I have to return back to my uncle in Freetown. So when I The interview partners’ accounts For some interview partners, the time went there, he said he cannot allow a indicate that the children and youths in the military / armed group coincided rebel in his house. That I can’t enter had almost no means of leaving the with the end of the armed conflict. his house. So I don’t have any option.” armed groups once they had become When the civil war in Sierra Leone (Abdul H., 25, Sierra Leone) part of them. It sometimes took them was over, the child soldiers were also several years before they were able to demobilised. Two interview partners • Escape leave, either because they escaped, were describe their demobilisation as being arrested or because the war came to an as unwanted as their recruitment. For Eight interview partners managed end. some it was impossible to go back to to escape from the armed groups. the village because their families no One youth was able to escape from One interview partner explains how he longer lived there or because they the training camp one week after his deserted from the Eritrean military but were not welcome because they had forced recruitment. In order to avoid then returned back after some months committed crimes during the course of being recruited again, he was forced because he was being looked for. their recruitment. to leave his home and was brought to the capital by a church member. „My sister was sick. I had to help her. “They went to this peace accord. That One interview partner escaped from Because my brother has only one leg we should stop fighting. Then they the Eritrean military after six years from the war, he cannot help her. (..) were coming to an agreement, the and was then again sentenced to They did not allow me to go. (…) Yes, rebels with the government. (…) So imprisonment and forced labour. By then no other possibility, I just went to after this, the fights, everything, they that time, he was already an adult: my family without them allowing me. say we have to disarm (…) everybody, (…) I didn’t sleep at home. Because that the fight is finished. So, the leaders “I was in the prison. (…) We work when I sleep at home, there are also say everybody must go back. So, ah, there, putting garbage from one car to problems, because the soldiers are even I, I think of it, how can I go back another. (…) We were eleven or twelve coming and look for me in the house, home? Maybe, inside of me, I don’t people. And there were two supervisors they want to get me. When you go to really - I was not even planning to join for us. Then I lay down under the the military as a soldier and then you these people: it is because they forced garbage. (…) And I put garbage on top go again, that is a big problem. I slept me, and now I joined them. So, I was of me. Then they don’t see me. Yes, and outside like this for almost six months. thinking, how can I go back home. this is how I came out of the hall. (…) I work during the day, at night I am With these people I have done bad, When I was out, I saw where I was, Between Fear and Hope – Child Soldiers as Refugees in Germany terre des hommes – B-UMF

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I see the border where I can go to the “Actually, my worst time in life was In Uganda, coffins they have some Sudan. I know this very well. Then I not when I was a child soldier. It was glasses, so if someone’s dead, you can just walked into the Sudan. On foot. during the time I spent in prison (…). have a look on him, so that’s what I It was almost 9 o’clock by then. From These soldiers, the national army, they used for breathing, for six hours. (…) nine o’clock till midnight I went by were always torturing me in all ways, I almost died in that coffin, and there foot. On the other side of the border, to see that I did what they wanted. is not a day that goes by when I don’t there were Sudanese soldiers. On this (...) Honestly, it was too much and I get those memories.” (Salomon, 24, side of my home. And then I slept in couldn’t bear it anymore. They wanted Uganda) the middle. Because I was afraid, there to take me to the court and be witness are also mines at the roadside. But I against this man, an opposition leader. • Rescue by a humanitarian don’t know where exactly they are. It (…) They never got enough evidence to organisation was dark. Then I slept there until five put him in prison. (…) I was to say that o’clock in the morning. (…) Walking I’m a rebel and he is our leader. (…) One interview partner says that he was again for almost six hours from five To be honest with you, I really spent found by a humanitarian organisation o’clock up to mid-day. I walked, yes. so much time working for rebels, but I when he was hiding in a village after a That was a bit difficult, there is a lot never met him in my life. (…) You just lost battle, surrounded by dead bodies: of sun, it is very hot. But I made it.” have to know the person from whom (Belay, 27, Eritrea) you get direct orders. You don’t have to “I was simply rescued by this know others. (…) I really don’t know organisation. (…) They only told me Two interview partners had already if he is a rebel leader or not, I just that it is not worth to remain in the made escape attempts before they know my direct bosses.” (Salomon, 24, UN refugee camp because it is a bit finally succeeded: Uganda) dangerous and also because of what had happened (…) to my father and “Since I was kidnapped, I was taken to Three interview partners managed to my family. Just away from Africa. (…) the barracks, I tried to escape one time escape from detention. The escape was They just said yes, they will prepare a from the barracks, in 2001. I went back often dangerous. One youth reports long journey for me. (…) When I am home, but also the man came. And that he is haunted by memories of how where I was supposed to be, I would he treated my mother (...) badly, very he was smuggled over the border: find people (…), they would take care badly. Then he also took me back to the “Ever since that when I came out of of me, to see that I can again manage barracks. But since then, I have never prison and up to now, I just feel like my life, that somehow I can also fulfil seen my mother. (…) I didn’t know running. My life is all about running. the dreams of my parents.” (Peter, 22, Germany, I didn’t know anywhere - I And when escaping, I remember Sudan) just wanted to escape. If I could escape, one hardest moment was crossing at least I could get rest. Then I escaped, from Uganda to Sudan. (…) I spent I thank God, with my children. (...) He more than six hours in a coffin. (...) was hiding money, I knew, where he had the money. I took the money and connected myself - there was a man, (…) he used to come to the barracks and he connected me to this man. He Case Study 6 brought us to here, to Germany.” (Kate, 25, Uganda) Steve J., 18, comes from Sierra When he was 17 years old, he fol- Leone. As son of a critical jour- lowed him to Germany. An escape nalist he was abducted selectively agent brought him to Germany by • Capture and detention when he was seven years old and plane. At the moment of the inter- abused as a child soldier for years. view, he has been in Germany for Four interview partners report that After the end of hostilities he lived six months. Steve has now attained their time as a child soldier ended with in different camps for war victims full age, lives in a residence for their capture. They were in detention in Sierra Leone. Eventually he was youth and takes German classes. for up to three years, under extremely found by relatives. He found out Due to his severe trauma he recei- poor conditions. They report abuse, that his father had already fled to ves therapeutic treatment. The asy- torture and forced labour. Germany with the family years ago. lum procedure is not finalized yet. Between Fear and Hope – Child Soldiers as Refugees in Germany terre des hommes – B-UMF 25

2 .2 .6 Escape to Europe somebody that is from your same of surviving. They did not necessarily land, then you are in big trouble. (…) choose Germany as their destination • Motivation to escape Then you are down.” (Steve, 18, Sierra but grabbed whatever chance they had Leone) to escape. Until their arrival, they often The majority of the interview partners did not know where they would end up. managed to flee to another country The interview partners who remained immediately after detention, release or in their country of origin after having “I didn’t know where to go, I didn’t escape from the armed group in order been associated to an armed group know if it somehow would be a white to protect themselves from the threat report specific threatening situations country.“ (Hassan, 16, Sierra Leone) of being persecuted. However, one which were catalysts for their decision third of them lived in their countries to escape: Within the group of the interview part- or regions origin for a while, under ners, the organisation of the escape difficult circumstances, until they had “I was in Sierra Leone and I was took three different forms: they either even more motives to escape. working there in a garden for a man. paid the facilitators of their escape with I was there with the hope that maybe their own money, friends or relatives of “In Kinshasa, when I got to this one day I can find a family member. their parents organised their escape, or orphanage, it was really strange. So, I was there and two boys pass by and they were brought out of the country I had no place to sleep, this was a point their fingers at me. I didn’t know by humanitarian organisations, which centre of which people say: You street what they wanted. (…) Suddenly these were usually religious, or by individuals children, you come to get food, in the two boys come back to me again and such as priests, without having to pay morning, midday and evening. When say: You bastard, it is time for us to anything. you have eaten, you go again. Because revenge what you have done to us, now there was no place at all where you it is our time to pay back. They wanted could put up. When I went to get to beat me with wood and I ran away.” 2 .3 Situation in Germany some food in the morning, I always (Hassan, 16, Sierra Leone) stay there, I don’t know the capital. 2 .3 .1 Arrival in Germany I always walked around (…), I see • Preparing the escape • Arrival people walking, here, there. When I see that it is midday, I go, take my food. I The reports of the interview partners The interview partners describe tell them I don’t have a place to sleep, often contradict the picture of criminal their arrival in a completely different if they could find one for me. (...) If I smuggler gangs who facilitate their world. Many report that they did not had a place there where one would “victim’s” journey to Europe out of understand where they were, even after have said we take care of you, you will greed and using unethical means: they had arrived in Germany. go to school, then I wouldn’t have had to leave the Congo.” (Jean, 16, Congo) “When I think about it today, I see „All the places we got to were so people who risk everything to save strange and so well organized and Some interview partners indicate people’s lives, to give people a new advanced for my thinking, for my that while they were still living in start without knowing if they will see understanding, for oh my God! their home country, they were afraid us again one day or not. They have no Everything was so - was so complex. of being exposed to the revenge of interest to see us again but they think Everybody I saw was in a rush. (…) community members, since they were that some time we will not forget that I It was like everything was totally in former rebels. They report incidents was rescued and that somebody helped order. You know, I almost lost him (the when former rebels were murdered. me. Simply to start a new life, this was person facilitating the flight), I almost the feeling that they always showed us.” lost him while I was looking. I wanted “It was so difficult for the rebels (Peter, 22, Sudan) to pass time to feed my eyes. It was because everybody stares at you. At so - it was so - it was so fine. It was every move you make, they stare at One male says that he was found in a like: Man, there is a world somewhere. you. And we feel guilty in every second. camp for displaced people by relatives Like you pass the time looking and (…) And you were very, very, very who organised his trip to Germany looking. (…) Every words I’ve met, at lucky if you came across a foreigner. where his father was living. The other every station we stopped, I couldn’t You want anything: he or she will interview partners decided to escape read none. (…) I saw the way people give it to you. But if you come across because they did not see any other way attend to other people, the way they somebody that is of your colour or Between Fear and Hope – Child Soldiers as Refugees in Germany terre des hommes – B-UMF

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communicate, you know, it was so, now in Germany. (…) He said this was a big ship in (large city), at the so different. It was kind of a different is Europe, and then he directed me (river), a very large ship. I think this is world, a civilized heaven on earth or towards the Federal Office.” (David, 19, going to be demolished. The refugees something, I couldn’t think of the right Sierra Leone) were coming from everywhere and it adjective to qualify that very particular was very cold – new life, new people day I stepped out of that country.” from everywhere, you know? (…) (Steve, 18, Sierra Leone) 2 .3 .2 Procedure for granting There were very many people on this ship, and all of them were brought asylum and residency away one after the other.” (Grace, 25, Uganda) • Reception and allocation Case Study 7 • Asylum hearing Several interview partners describe Mike M., 24, is from Sierra Leone. their experiences during the asylum At eight years of age he was Some interview partners remember process : they registered at the abducted by the RUF, his parents that the asylum hearings and Foreign Resident Authority or at a were killed. After six years as child the related procedures were branch office of the Federal Office for soldier he managed to flee. He incomprehensible. They describe the Migration and Refugees. Usually, they came to Germany when he was atmosphere during these hearings as got a train ticket and had to go to a 14 years old and was placed in a sometimes unfriendly. central institution responsible for the youth housing project. Mike recei- initial reception centre located in the ved therapeutic treatment over area that had been allocated to them, years and graduated in secondary One male interview partner who was where the asylum hearing usually took school. His asylum request was 15 at the time explains how he felt place too. The early days in Germany declined, but during the judicial lost and exposed at the Federal Office were characterised by procedures and proceedings he was granted ‘sus- for Migration and Refugees, how he swapping of places which were hard pension of deportation’ due to missed his home country and his for them to understand and where humanitarian reasons. After gra- family to which he could not go back: they do not have the right to decide for duating in secondary school, he themselves. started a family. Mike is father of “Okay, the worst time in my life was three children. He has an unlimi- in this Federal Office. (…) It was One female interview partner reports ted residence permit and works as just a horror. (…) The people were that the relief about the successful translator. completely unfriendly, okay? So, we escape outweighed the difficulties didn’t have a value, us people there. such as inappropriate accommodation (..) Nobody wants to listen to you, and frightening train rides alone in a • Initial contacts and informal nobody wants to know how you are, strange country: networks nobody. Everybody is just interested in the paper which you have, or they “First I registered myself and then All the interview partners say that after give you another paper on top of it, I got a schedule where I should go. their arrival in Germany, they first that I cannot read. Everything for me The first night was very tough, we sought for help by people who looked was like: What is this? And nobody is had such small beds and such a thin African and who helped them: reading it for you to explain it; I am blanket, although for me, that was just feeling homesick. I miss my father, good. Somehow a new life, everything “Fortunately I come across a black my mother, everything that I lost. This from the stress and everything I went man, (…) being able to come to my was a time when I was just finished.” through. Then I got this schedule. I rescue. That is where I come to learn (Peter, 22, Sudan) didn’t even know a word of German that for we - when you need a help for and had to go from (point of arrival) us Africans, you have to find a black However, a female interview partner to (large city in another State). There brother but any other place, nobody describes this period positively: I thought how do I get there, where is you know. Because it’s only a black from the beginning, she received it? What can I say? (..) And then I met man who knows what another black psychosocial support because of her this woman, at the train station. I only man is going through (..). So he tried psychological status: showed her the schedule all the time. to assist me, you know? He said it’s The woman came with me up to (large okay, you are welcome and you are city) and I took suburban train. There Between Fear and Hope – Child Soldiers as Refugees in Germany terre des hommes – B-UMF 27

“Then they have such an interviewer from the Federal Office (…) who Case Study 8 interrogated me, for three hours. I was lucky because I was so burdened by Abdoulaye M., 18, is from Sierra He was placed in an accommoda- my past experiences so that the (social Leone. His father was an active tion facility for adults and lived worker) was allowed to come with me. member of an armed local self very isolated in a small town. Over (..) And she held my hand throughout defence unit which tried to resist a year he was denied the possibility the interview, and this was a very, very the attacks of the RUF. Abdoulaye to attend school, instead he had to big support.” (Grace, 25, Uganda) had to participate as a child. When perform unpaid, charitable work. While many interview partners he was approximately twelve years Through fellow Sierra Leoneans he highlight the pressure they felt old, the RUF attacked his village. came in touch with a counselling regarding the conditions of the asylum His mother was brutally murdered centre where he received psycho- procedure for , this young woman in front of him and Abdoulaye was logical support. This centre could describes her attitudes within this abducted to become a child sol- achieve that he was allowed to period of time, seeing the problems dier. After a relatively short time, attend school. By now, he is atten- in Germany as subordinate to the he managed to escape and return ding the 10th grade of secondary situation in her home country: to his home village. The reason for school. His asylum application was his flight from Sierra Leone was the rejected, he only was granted “excep- “They said you have to wait for long threat of a local sect, which, after the tional leave to remain”. Legal action until you get a reply, and it was all death of his father, intended to ini- has been taken and is on-going to just about life. But for me, that was tiate him by force. A catholic cleric challenge the imminent deportation. luck, that I was out of all this pain, the organised his escape, at the age of At the time of the interview he had whole stress, the whole trauma of my 16 he arrived in Germany by ship. just become eighteen years old. childhood, I mean the difficult life on the boat with the cold, getting up at five in the morning, like in prison, but paper back and I read (changed date) interview partner had been accepted that was not so important for me. I although I was born on (birthday). for asylum according to article 16a of looked at it as something being normal. They put an additional year so that I the German Constitutional Law. She Because I was happy by then.” (Grace, was already 16 years old. (…) Nobody recalls how she was notified: 25, Uganda) is interested in it. He says: No. That is why I went to the concierge because I “Then I got a letter from the Federal • Assessment and definition of age had given my filled forms to him. The Office. (…) I went there to (social concierge looked at me and said he worker) with my letter, and what Many of the interview partners who had no clue. And then I just tried to was it? You are accepted! You have entered Germany when they were talk to someone, I said the birthday is a passport and you get a visa, one to still minors report that their birth of wrong, (…) I didn’t write this because two years! I was at a friend’s place, we date was changed during the asylum what I had written was crossed and hugged very hard, I cried and screamed procedure. Two of them were declared then another thing was put there. I was out of joy, because I knew how many to be 16 and thus became “eligible afraid, I wanted to know why.”(Peter, people were sent home every day. (…) for asylum”, while two others were 22, Sudan) This was a breakthrough.” (Grace, 25, declared to be adults. All interview Uganda) partners say that they did not receive • Federal Office for Migration and any explanations and that they found it Refugees decisions and residency However, the Federal Office for incomprehensible and scary that their Migration and Refugees had rejected details had been changed. They felt When the interviews were conducted, the applications of seven interview powerless and this was a strain. the asylum procedure had not yet been partners, usually with the rationale completed for three youths and one that they had not been politically “The first thing was my date of birth, minor had not yet applied for asylum. persecuted. (…) I go to this man, the concierge, The Federal Office for Migration and he says he cannot speak English, but Refugees had granted protection from “I was rejected. They said that my I say: Wrong. That was desperation deportation on humanitarian grounds statement was not on political grounds. at its highest. (…) I had given them to two youths and to one according to But for me it was more than political. my date of birth, and then I get the the Geneva Conventions. One female Because political people, people in Between Fear and Hope – Child Soldiers as Refugees in Germany terre des hommes – B-UMF

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politics, people who are really in “I was thinking, these people know “They brought me to a place where political problems, some happen that I’m in a big threat. Because, as I adults were staying. (…) Nobody to them a short time. (…) Some have been inside a war, I - I did many cared about me. I just cannot sleep at governments, they just take over terrible things, that’s - they should night, I get these dreams, nightmares, and these people start suffering until realize that I can’t go back to that I dream bad all night long and in the government is gone. But there country to - to do anything. My life is the room where they put me, in the are some people, some other people in danger. So I think that these people moment I manage to fall asleep the who suffer from the beginning until will not send me back. So after they people start to become loud, and I sometimes until the end. (...) For me it allowed me to work, they even give just cannot sleep. (…) There are six was not the government searching for me a passport so that I can do any - I beds in my room but for now, we are me. But it was horrible for me.” (Kate, can work anywhere, at any time. So I four living there.” (Hassan, 16, Sierra 25, Uganda) started this my work. It’s one year- one Leone) year, one month fulltime work. Then During the hearing, one interview they - they wrote me that I have to go One interview partner reports that the partner did not mention that he had to - I have to go and see my embassy. institution for initial accommodation been kidnapped at the age of 12 (…)So I went there, they identified me. reminded him of the prison from and later been forced to participate After two weeks (…) they wrote me a which he had escaped because of the in attacks against villages and in letter, that I should willingly go and control, the guards and the way food battles because he was ashamed. He say to them that I want to go back, (…) was distributed. He therefore had only mentioned having been used as from now till January 15. If not, they negative feelings towards it. carrier. His application for asylum will deport me.” (Abdul H., 25, Sierra was rejected. The rejection of another Leone) “It was a transit camp with security interview partner’s application by and they give you a card, they carry the Federal Office for Migration At the time of interview, seven everything away there. I had new and Refugees was revised after a interview partners had a residence clothes, new underwear, and then psychosocial centre for refugees and permit for up to two years only. Two they showed me my room. (…) And trauma victims intervened. He was interview partners had received then they show you papers, the rules, granted protection from deportation permanent residency. all the regulations of the camp and on humanitarian grounds. One interview partner describes her everything. (…) The first experience in feelings about her long-term prospects Germany is like: I tell you, you better The remaining six interview partners in Germany: go back to where you came from. This appealed against the decision. In the is what I thought. (…) We all have to case of one interview partner the court “Today I am here and very, very happy. line up, like prisoners. Again lining up proceedings are still ongoing and the Since January, I have an unlimited and waiting for the food. This was like case of another male interviewee was residence in my passport. I have got all in the prison where you were, where I rejected again. Four interview partners papers for the application of a German was coming from.” (David, 19, Sierra were granted protection from depor- passport. What a dream.” (Grace, 25, Leone) tation by the court. They had received Uganda) support by psychosocial centres and • Being taken into care and youth other advising bodies. welfare services 2 .3 .3 Accommodation and care Two of the interview partners whose All the interview partners who came application was rejected were granted • Initial accommodation to Germany when they were minors “exceptional leave to remain” in were appointed a legal guardian: five Germany. The court case of one of the Only one of the interview partners was were taken care of by a legal guardian interview partners is ongoing while immediately given accommodation in attached to the youth authorities, the other interview partner had just a youth welfare institution after his three by a legal guardian working for received information that he would be arrival in Germany. The other minors an NGO and two interview partners deported. He reports that he has been and adults were first brought to big did not specify. All of those who had living with an “exceptional leave to central institutions where they shared remain” for several years and hoped rooms with other adults. he could stay. Between Fear and Hope – Child Soldiers as Refugees in Germany terre des hommes – B-UMF 29

a school. The school is still a refugee Case study 9 kind of school: my school comprises of strictly refugees. But it’s still a Kate K., 25, is from Uganda. When childen she eventually managed to school. And then the organisation she was nine years old, her father flee to Germany. She financed her which we are being governed by takes was killed by a rebel attack. She escape by plane with money she us around sometimes, in their own was severely injured during the had taken from her ‘husband’. Her way. You know, they carry little things attack as well and is still suffering asylum request was rejected. With in their own way that could please from the consequences. When she support from her therapist she was us, that could really, really, really was 15 years old she was abducted able to take legal action against the please us. (…) The organisation that by a soldier from the national army decision and obtain ‘suspension is governing me now at least they are and was forced to live with him in from deportation’ due to her illness. concerned, if I may say. Or due to a military camp in forced ‘marriage’ Now she has a limited residence the job, maybe the job makes them for six years. During this time, the permit. Due to her disability she is to be concerned. Probably they are soldier mistreated her and sexually unable to work. not personally concerned or caring abused her. Together with her two about our situation. But let’s look at it from the aspect of the job. They are concerned. They help sometimes, been or were still cared for by a legal accommodated and cared for in youth although they are not God. They guardian working for an NGO report welfare institutions. Their reports cannot really help everybody because that s/he played an important and about their experience of safe living they too, they have their own private supportive role in their lives.42 conditions and receiving support are problems. But they tend to help when positive: there are problems where believe they “And when I arrived in Germany, are capable of helping. In my country, everything started a bit difficult with “Generally I feel better here because in such situations that happens to be the language and the different things I have a place to sleep here, I go to my mother – in my motherland, they and the culture, everything was just a school. I don’t have to try to move don’t give a fuck about you. So, now bit complicated. When I was appointed on my own. They give me food. They comparing in a foreign land, where to a legal guardian, things started to support me well, when I have a nobody knows you but still tries to help get better. It is actually quite okay now. problem I tell them about it and they in a way he or she can help, at least And I got support from everywhere, help me well.”(Jean, 16, Congo) it’s appreciated. I’m just talking at this from the youth welfare office and from present moment that I’m in. So I don’t my former guardian.” (Mike, 24, Sierra The staff in the institutions are know what’s gonna happen tomorrow, Leone) the persons the youths have most maybe tomorrow they will kick me connection to at the beginning. The youth authorities’ legal guardians out, like: get out of our land, we don’t are mentioned less often and thus want you any longer. Nobody knows One interview partner describes his appear to have a less important role. anything. I’m just talking due to this new life in the youth welfare institution present situation I’m into now. For the and how he compared it with his Half of the youths who had up-keeping, they are really trying to experiences in the military. He is torn entered Germany as minors were make us feel okay.” (Steve, 18, Sierra between feelings of sympathy and trust Leone) towards the staff, and general feelings of mistrust: 42 There are three different categories of One interview partner was at first guardians in Germany: (1) the individual given accommodation in adult housing. “It feels fostered. (…) It’s like being in guardian (Einzelvormund) is a private He said he was 15 years old when person who takes on a guardianship on an environment where you have the voluntary basis; (2) the legal guardian he first came to Germany, but his facilities to speed up your dreams. (...) working for an NGO (Vereinsvormund) age was defined as 17 years during It’s different. (…) At first it was strange is assigned by an NGO that is recognised the assessment. In a situation of for guardianships, and usually is a social to me, but I came to understand it. We crisis because he was psychologically worker; (3) the legal guardian of the youth have people, governing us, officers, authorities (Amtsvormund) is a staff of the stressed and overwhelmed by the living caretakers, this and that, taking respective youth authority who however conditions, he was transferred to a control of everything. I was given an should act independently. All three group in which youths lived together. categories of guardians are biased lobbyists apartment. Not the whole house, just He however had difficulties to accept of those entrusted to their care. a room for myself. I was enrolled in Between Fear and Hope – Child Soldiers as Refugees in Germany terre des hommes – B-UMF

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institution failed because of the Case study 10 resistance of the head of the office: “Mr A (employee of the youth admi- Grace C., 25, comes from Uganda. in secondary school. Soon she will nistration) said: Ah, I saw in TV, they She informed the author of this complete a qualified apprenticeship. criticized Germany that it is the only study about her experiences as a The long lasting therapeutic treat- country in Europe where young asy- child soldier, but does not want ment contributed to her psychologi- lum seekers are allowed to live alone, them to be published. A soldier cal stablisisation. Almost two years and it is against United Nation law. who knew her parents helped her after the submission of her asylum He told me that. He said that for that to escape. Shortly after her 18th application, she was granted asylum reason, he wanted to write something birthday she arrived in Germany under article 16(a) of the German to the administration, so maybe they by plane. Because she received a Constitutional Law. By now, she can find a - how do you call this - Kin- lot of professional and voluntary has an unlimited residence permit derheim, where children are living. help right from the start, she was and would like to apply for the Ger- (…) He was trying, trying. (…) They able to attend school and graduate man citizenship soon. refused all these things. I don’t know. But the man was very sympathetic. Mr A said: I don’t think it is good for you the “control” of the staff after he had the institutions where they shared their here, if you continue to stay here, you been “under control” in the military rooms. will not - maybe you will do something and was no longer in the collective stupid.” (Abdoulaye, 18, Sierra Leone) adult housing unit. The conflicts in One of them reports how he felt when the group of youths with whom he he was given accommodation in a far- All the interview partners describe the was living escalated and he had to off village with another minor, without institutions for accommodating asylum leave. He was then once again given the possibility to go to school and seeking persons as daunting places. accommodation in an establishment for nothing to do. One talks about his first impression of refugees. the housing where he had to live as an “It was very difficult to live there unaccompanied minor: • Accommodation in institutions because I was there with one other for persons seeking for asylum boy, he is also from Sierra Leone (…). “I saw the house and I thought: my The boy attempted suicide several God! I was sitting inside a car like Most of the interview partners, times, he want to kill himself. I said this, and the taxi driver (...) asked including five minors, were given no. (…) So I always intervened, all me to come out. I said: Come out accommodation in institutions for these things. He said, what type of where? He said: here of course, you asylum seekers. One interview partner living is this? We came at least for have reached your location. – Which recalls the time when he was brought us to seek protection, you know, and location? - It’s this. (laughs). Then he to a home for single men by a staff these people, all of a sudden, where went to the back and removed my bag member of the youth welfare office: they take us, no, nothing. There in (laughs) and dropped it. I said: Let (village) there is nothing, no shop, me come with you. Then he called “But then she told me: ‘Unfortunately, nothing. Sometimes we have to walk, the concierge who came over. He was I have to tell you that I will bring you it is seven kilometres from (village) to speaking English and he asked if I to a house where you have to look after (small town), we have to walk by foot, was speaking English - I said yeah. He yourself.’ I was not afraid. ‘But you seven kilometres to (small town), and had already got information about me. have to take care by yourself, but when we buy some food to eat and we go He said that, this is the place where I you have problems’ - then she gave me back. So it was very difficult, the boy would stay. It was a horrible building.” her card. ‘Call me.’ (…) Okay, and then was totally out of mind, you know? (David, 19, Sierra Leone)Some of the we get to this home. She told me right (…) He decided it was better for him youths report that they were housed in away that all of those living there are to go and die in Sierra Leone then to buildings where drugs were sold. They adults.” (Peter, 22, Sudan) come and die here.” (Abdoulaye, 18, lived with adults who had nothing to Sierra Leone) do and no prospects. Two interview Some interview partners describe their partners however stress that, compa- desire for more care and support, and He also reports that staff of the youth red to the conditions in their home say that they did not feel comfortable in office who wanted to help the youth to countries, the discomfort in the institu- get accommodation in an appropriate Between Fear and Hope – Child Soldiers as Refugees in Germany terre des hommes – B-UMF 31

tions where they were accommodated for almost a week-end. (…) The first • Living of benefits related to the did not seem important. place where I was living, it was not so Asylum Seekers Benefit Act “You can’t compare this to living in a nice, it was like - the way it was built, wooden house with maybe 20 people I mean, it was so complicated. It had Young refugees who are not housed in one room. Boys have to sleep on the a long corridor, a very long corridor, in child and youth welfare institutions floor or you take your sleeping turn by and in the room where I was staying, I have to make do with the benefits given turn. When one wakes up, he leaves was sleeping with some people. Some them by the Asylum Seekers Benefit for you to sleep. Then compare it to a were sleeping on the ground and it was Act during the first four years of their place where you have escaped to. This really just not so easy for me, bringing asylum procedure. Only after one year place too, is not so conducive, but you back memories, seeing someone slee- they can apply for a work permit, a job have electricity, you have water to bath ping just on the ground always (crying) or training scheme. with. At least the bed you are sleeping, - my friend, just, when I’m sleeping just you are the only one in it. At least for between both of them.” (Salomon, 24, that little bit of experience, you would Uganda) If they decide to go to school, they always say it’s okay.” (Steve, 18, Sierra remain dependent on these social Leone) • A flat of one’s own benefits which are then cut and from which they have to finance their food, When a residence permit is issued, clothes, electricity, public transport, Case Study 11 refugees are allowed to move out of school material etc. The interview their shared accommodation and to get partners report how difficult it was to Rose P., 19, is from Uganda. their own flat: meet their needs with the little amount When she was twelve, she was of money43: abducted by rebels and her family “Yes, and then I set up my own flat. I was killed. She was held captive just have an old sofa, but for me, it was “The money we receive here - now I for five years. As 17 year-old like a dream. New life, residence above am getting 170 Euro for a month44, she managed to flee. She was all, a whole year without having to go and if for example I pay 50 Euro to my pregnant when she arrived in there to get a new visa every month. lawyer (...) and I have to buy food for Germany. She was granted ‘sus- Oh, that was beautiful.” (Grace, 25, the month because that is what I used pension from deportation’ due to Uganda) to do, by food, maybe I was paying over humanitarian reasons and has 50, 60 Euro just for food. Sometimes a limited residence permit. She I have to buy a book, like today also, receives therapeutic treatment 2 .3 .4 Maintenance now we have to buy a new book for due to the severe trauma she is German classes, you know. And now suffering. She is living in a private • Maintenance in youth welfare they give us the book number to order apartment with her children and institutions it. All these things. Sometimes I have to is participating in an integration buy a card to charge my phone. Now it class. The interview partners who are housed is over two months, three months that in youth welfare institutions report I haven’t charged my phone. (…) So it that they are comprehensively cared is very difficult. For example my food, I One young man reports that some of for: their means of subsistence, school can only get African food in (big city), the details of the housing (for exam- material etc., are all provided: there is the only place where we have ple long corridors and shared rooms) an Afro-Shop. So I have to take the brought back memories of traumatic “Whatever you do, they buy it for bus, it’s almost 10 Euro from here to experiences in prison. He was then allo- you. You don’t have the permission wed to live in a better place where he to buy anything. They only say that has his own apartment. the money they give to you is for 43 Since that time, the benefits have been increased following a judgment your own personal things. They buy of the Federal Constitutional Court of “When I was in prison, I was arrested your few things. Not that they buy 18 July 2012 because they violated the with one guy. He was called Joshua and luxurious things or fashion, but the “fundamental right to a decent mini- we had been staying in the same hostel. little up-keeping is different, they just mum income”. Federal Constitutional Then, a few months later, when we take you with them.” (Steve, 18, Sierra Court, 1 BvL 10/10, 18.7.2012. were in prison, he died and I slept with Leone) 44 The costs for electricity in the home for his body and some other dead bodies asylum seekers are retained by the social welfare office. Between Fear and Hope – Child Soldiers as Refugees in Germany terre des hommes – B-UMF

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(big city), to go and come back. So I used to buy a ticket for the whole state Case Study 12 which is cheaper, it is 18 Euro. So I use it, I am going there, I buy a lot of Abdul H., 25, is from a rural far- as a rebel. With some money, which African food and I bring it home, you mers’ family in Sierra Leone. After he still kept from his time with the know. This is the way I am living.” the death of his father, his family rebels, he financed his escape by (Abdoulaye, 18, Sierra Leone) was unable to continue to finance ship to Germany. Due to fear and his school fees. He started an infor- shame he has not mentioned his One interview partner reports that mal apprenticeship as a tailor at abuse as a child soldier in the asy- he only received 190 euros per the age of twelve. Shortly after, his lum hearing. His asylum request month since he was a minor. It was village was attacked by the RUF. was declined. Abdul H. lived with impossible for him to cover his living He was forced to particpate in the ‘suspension of deportation’ status expenses and school materials. He destruction of his village and after- for years, worked and tried to ‘forget’ therefore tried to get a job without wards abducted by the rebels. For his past. In 2009, he was threatened a work permit. But since he did years he was forced to participate in with deportation and he started to not have the right to work he was hostilities and attacks on villages. be affected by massive trauma sym- unable to defend himself against poor When he was 18 years old, peace ptoms. Only now the 25 year-old conditions at his workplace. talks were initiated and the fighters started to make use of therapeutic were sent home. However, Abdul H help. In an appeal of his asylum Asylum seekers can be forced to work could not return to his village since case he is now trying to obtain pro- for one euro an hour, “serving the he was threatened due to his past tection from deportation. public good”. One interview partner reports how he was denied the right to schooling although he was a minor earning their own money and not have to study in order to become intel- and how he had to work under threat depending on benefits anymore: ligent. Also when you are working, of having his financial support cut. when you know that you completed “Up to now, I have not been without your studies, then you are able to “God knows everything of what a job. I always work. (…) As I said manage situations well, or also at work, we went through. It’s very difficult. before, I can earn my money myself you know how you have to behave. I was in (village) doing communal very well. Maybe I even earn more This is why the school for me is a really work, you know, we worked for than some people who went to study. I good thing. (…) I am always busy lear- eight hours a day. Here also in (small have my regular job, and I have a good ning, learning a lot so that I can make town), we worked for eight hours a income. And I am also working as an it up to university if I have the means.” day, and it was very hard. Sometimes interpreter, I even work for (office of (Jean 16, Congo) we worked in a forest like this, you a public administration).” (Mike, 24, alone, you clear all these things. It Sierra Leone) • German classes and integration was very difficult. But I have nowhere courses to complain. So we just have to do it. Because they said that we have to Those who were housed in youth do it; if you don’t do it, you will get 2 .3 .5 Education and training welfare institutions took German no money. (…) Later, when I came classes: to (village) we worked sometimes in Most of the interview partners stress the graveyard, in the forest, it doesn’t the importance of education and trai- “With German, well that is a bit matter, any type of work. They will ning. They are highly motivated to go difficult, it is hard, I can speak a bit. just say, you have to do this, you have to school and to learn. They look at (…) I know that I will still learn it. to do this.” (Abdoulaye, 18, Sierra education as very important for their (…) I have to go to German classes, a Leone) future. language course. I do nothing else than learning all that.” (Jean, 16, Congo) • Job and occupation “I like going to school. I like the school because I am telling myself, without Minors who were not housed in Six of the interview partners at the school I won’t get far in life. (…) In youth welfare institutions often had time of interview were already wor- order to be someone in life, you always a big problem accessing education. king. They stress the importance of Between Fear and Hope – Child Soldiers as Refugees in Germany terre des hommes – B-UMF 33

One interview partner was able to and every day I am learning new Psychological stress can make it hard attend an integration course before he things, which is important for me. (…) I for former child soldiers to focus on started school, thanks to the initiative like it. I want to lean.” (Abdoulaye, 18, lessons since they also have to deal of a helpdesk worker who had to Sierra Leone) with traumatic memories. A former struggle with a lot of resistance from child soldier describes this problem: administrative barriers. • Challenges and the need for support “Sometimes I cannot study very well, “She put me into an integration school. you know, because I cannot - my This is only for persons who are given The young refugees have to overcome thinking is not so, you know. I am not a paper by the Federal Office: they will language barriers and gaps in their pre- giving one hundred % efforts in my send them to study German for a while, vious education. One interview partner studies at the moment, I’m just trying.” maybe for six months.” (Abdoulaye, 18, explains how difficult it is to use a com- (Abdoulaye, 18, Sierra Leone) Sierra Leone) puter since they had never before been Two other interview partners attended exposed to them: One interview partner explains that an integration course after having he had hoped school would help him received their residence permits. “At the moment I still find it difficult, come out of his isolation and improve you know, because (breathing heavily) his psychological state but because • Schooling not from the school work, from the of the burden of his experiences as school work I don’t find it difficult, a child soldier he initially remained Many interview partners stress the only that for example in Africa, I was isolated at school too. . great importance of going to school. not using a computer before. (…) I don’t have good results in it, I don’t The environment in the housing units Three interview partners were at first like it. But I’m trying and my teacher, where the youths live can also be not allowed to go to school although she understands that it is difficult unfavourable: they were minors and they suffered. because I was not using a computer Two of the 16 or 17 year olds had to before. I understand everything, but „The situation in the home also, when push for the permission to go to school. like for example if we are using MS the teacher gives us homework to do, They took their own initiative and were Word or so, I am not so fast in typing. alone at home, I cannot. And I cannot also supported by their therapists and That is my problem. That’s why last think, I have neighbours who are advisors. time one man gave me an old computer always loud and things like this. Yes, and so I can learn, at least to be faster.” and the situation is very difficult for “We always told them before, we told (Abdoulaye, 18, Sierra Leone) me.” (Chérif, 20, Guinea) them that we wanted to go school and learn something. They said no, no, no. To have to once again attend classes The interviews indicate that the They have no possibilities, nothing like after having gone through extreme daily school structure can be a this. (…) My house is here, and the next experiences as child soldiers can be stabilising factor for the youths, and opposite there is one school, a middle irritating for some youths and it is not that experiencing success and good school. So, when I was living there, always easy for them to appreciate results at school can boost their self- every morning I saw these children school: confidence. going to school. I was not feeling good, you know? At that time, I would just “Even the school where I was going, I • Professional training wake up and go to work. But I was not was not having a chance. I was seeing feeling good, you know, until I told it like a waste of time. But with the Three of the interview partners were Mrs C (advisor) that I wanted to learn, therapy, at the end of the day I came able to take part in a training scheme. I want to learn. And Mrs C found a to realise, yeah, it was something When the interviews were conducted, way. But first Mrs B (advisor) tried in worthwhile. And then, the therapy also two of them had not yet qualified. the administration and they refused, helped me to fight for something. Like They confirm the stabilising and moti- they said no, there is no way they can - even though the school was difficult, vating effects of the training scheme help me. I would have no right to go you know, but it helps us. (…) We did on them. to school, all these things. So later something for the school and then they she tried another way, and this is the were proud of us and then we were “And then I did the training as nur- way now. But now, I think it is better also proud of them.” (David, 19, Sierra sing assistant, and we had our exams because in the school I have friends Leone) and I was the best student. (…) I am Between Fear and Hope – Child Soldiers as Refugees in Germany terre des hommes – B-UMF

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nurse Grace now, nursing assistant. and social support, but also their own somebody to be with. Or somebody I have my qualification as nursing capacities and attitudes. to - They always call me, because they assistant. Great. Then I was also the are not staying here, they are staying in best student here, it was published in • Friends and other people (village). They call me and we talk or the newspaper in Germany! It was a “replacing” the family sometimes they tell me: Come! Come positive report, not like this and that, during the weekend. And I go there, but as a qualified nursing assistance, Having friends in Germany is spend the weekend and I feel like at within this year only, with all the important to most interview partners. least, there is somebody who is there problems of the language and all that, Their friends often also come from for me, I’m not just alone (crying).“ all the stress. And then I was there their home countries. (Rose, 19, Uganda) with the best result: 1.1 in practical subjects and in the written examina- “I have friends. But my friends are Most interview partners confirm that tion. Fantastic! (…) I saw myself and all women, and they are very good to they are looking for a replacement for I thought oh God, me in Germany! In me and they are helping me so much. their relatives among their friends and the newspaper! Being the best student! (low voice). (…) They are always there also professionals and they feel as if Yes, this was simply a dream.“ (Grace, for me when I have a problem, when they find this. 25, Uganda) I’m sick, because sometimes, I am “I lost my mother when I was 16 years old. I don’t know where my father is Case study 13 but Mrs H (therapist) and Mrs S (social worker) are like my German parents. Belay N., 27, is from Eritrea. He a relative helped him to flee to I have many friends, I am in a church grew up with ten siblings. Due to Europe. As 24 year-old he acciden- community, mixed with Germans and the poverty of his family, he was tally arrived in Germany with the Black people, I am singing in the choir, only able to attend primary school. wrong lorry, he had actually inten- am active, I am riding a bicycle, I do When he was 16 years old, he ded to go to England. After just a sports – just normal. Yes, I managed to joined the national army to finan- few months the Federal Office for find my way.” (Grace, 25, Uganda) cially support his family. After a Migration and Refugees granted him short period of time he wanted to protection from deportation under • Voluntary support leave the military again, but he was the Geneva Refugee Convention. denied to do so. Since he openly Now he has a limited residence per- All the female interview partners mentioned existing corruption and mit and a passport. He is attending received a lot of voluntary support. The injustices inside the army, he was a language course, lives in his own young men participating in this study harrassed, for instance he was not flat and earns his living as unskilled did not mention support from others as allowed to take any holiday and worker. He also financially supports frequently as the female participants. was detained and convicted to his family in Eritrea. Still, he would penal labour. Since there was no like to do a professional apprentice- “And then I got to know a woman, a possibilty for legally dropping out ship. He is the only interviewee who German woman who has a practice as of the military, he escaped after does not report on any psychological homeopath. (…) And this woman also eight years. Since he was being stress. brought me to her home, introduced persecuted as deserter in Eritrea, he me to her mother (…), they welcomed crossed the border to Sudan where me and paid for my German classes. (…) The landlady always gave me curtains, table clothes, vases, all sorts 2 .3 .6 Stabilising factors and sick. Sometimes I’m in the hospital of things. She is calling me, how was social support and my children are alone. They your exam today? How are you? I got take my children for me. If I or one to know very many nice people, I think In summary, it can be concluded that of my children is sick and I need to this is part of my luck.” (Grace, 25, the interview partners attribute the be with the other one, they always Uganda) stabilisation of their well-being to a offer me this kind of help, every time. combination of different factors – And sometimes it’s not just the help, One interview partner says that he mainly the general conditions, security but it’s the contact (crying). Because also works as a volunteer which has sometimes I feel lonely and I need Between Fear and Hope – Child Soldiers as Refugees in Germany terre des hommes – B-UMF 35

helped him to make more contacts and partner points out that the Qur’an have to know that you have to believe become a bit more stable. prohibits suicide which has helped him in yourself. (…) You are all what you to not harm himself. have. You are yourself. You have to be, “I engage myself in a lot of social to put yourself in competition. Try to activities, and Mrs N (school social “The only thing I’m doing, I’m just fight for something beneficial in life. worker) has helped me a lot to come in at home, praying, praying, praying. Try to make yourself known in the contact with a lot of people, and then, Because I used to pray five times a society. You know, with obedience, you know, ways of fighting, you know, day. That is the only thing I believe is patience and respect, which is the difficulties, sadness. (…) To be a better helping me now. (…) There are some most important thing- Give respect person in society.” (David, 19, Sierra parts in the Qur’an, you can read that onto others, so that you earn it with Leone) God will tell you that to kill yourself is respect. Be it a child or an old one, it sinful, and the punishment is hell, you doesn’t matter which age. You have • Breaking the cycle of isolation know? So, sometimes I find it difficult, to be more sensitive, you have to be through education and work I say okay, let me just try and fight creative, try to be creative and skilful, this stress, this type of condition, you to make ends meet, to make your Access to education and work is descri- know? That is why I’m just - my entire living. Even if you don’t have any bed as an important factor in breaking live I’m just praying, praying to God for chance of surviving. Like for instance the cycle of isolation as a refugee, and a good beginning. (…) I have a little bit when I was in the jungle. I was all find some direction in Germany. of hope, you know? Because I think alone, but - even though in rains, with maybe it will not last forever. Because sun, but I know, I have to make it. I “The people who are living in a home I was in problems, I was at war, God shall live. I shouldn’t give up, because don’t know how the others are living, freed me from these struggles. I think I’m the only one.” (David, 19, Sierra they are only there in the home, are that maybe one day God will free me Leone) not allowed to go to school, are not from all this negative thinking. That is allowed to work, how can they then my belief at the moment.” (Abdoulaye, All those who already have children know how life is here? I have learnt it 18, Sierra Leone) consider the responsibility for them as because I have gone to school, I had an important and stabilising factor. contacts with German people, I wor- Interview partners who are isolated The high degree of own initiative ked, and now I know a bit.” (Chérif, use television to get some distraction. and the stamina of many of the 20, Guinea) They say that this can give them some interview partners is striking. One comfort: female interview partner emphasises • Own resources “I take most of my time on TV and I diligence, the ability to adapt to new watch these programs on health and situations and own motivation, as well The interview partners talk about their things like that. But I see so many as pride in what she has achieved: own resources, their capacities and people who are worse off than me, and strategies to solve problems which help they are living, they survive. So, that “And always hard working, I never them to become more stable. one also gives me strength. When I get complained, I never caused problems Many interview partners are religious. - when I feel sadness inside of me, then when they said Grace, do this work, They explain that their beliefs and the I see someone more, who is- someone do the dirty one, clean here, do this, I connection to the church community who is sicker than me, then I say ah, have done everything. The (therapist) give them strength. then I am not alone. There are some had told me: Grace, you have to do other people. Then I have to live with everything. Do everything! You have “This is the most important thing, it.” (Kate, 25, Uganda) nothing to lose if you do everything. church, God is doing everything and Because you know what you want, you stay positive (laughing). And I One interview partner explains that he you want education, you want to be continued like that, up to now, I still go has been able to make use of some of trained, and you have to work hard. to church, sing in the choir, participate the skills he learnt as a child soldier Don’t complain. (…) I never did, and in everything and still believe that God – for example the ability to manage I always got good feedback. (…) I has been with me up to today.” (Grace, life on his own and to be able to stand wanted to live a positive life. This in 25, Uganda) alone. summary means that the motivation has to come from you. I always see Religion can give hope for someone in “As a boy, I learned to be alone, where shows in the TV, they say you cannot despair and isolation. One interview there is no father and no mother. You change the world but you can change Between Fear and Hope – Child Soldiers as Refugees in Germany terre des hommes – B-UMF

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yourself. So you are the centre, that describe the stress as being particularly all that. I still see some people now is you. You have to decide, I want intense. Their mental stability is (…) who are still within the procedure. to have it like this or like that. (…) I usually connected to their certainty Up to today. Still. And they see me am also proud of myself (laughing). about receiving a residence permit and and they say my God, you are so lucky This is what I tell myself, then I go having prospects for the future. that you have a normal life now. You somewhere in town, sit down and eat undergo training in Germany. A young a big ice cream with a lot of fruits. And “There were very tough times, with black girl who never had dreams in then I say yes, I do something good to trauma, with crying, with fighting, her life.” (Grace, 25, Uganda) myself. I have worked so hard, I went really, almost giving up, with through many things, both good and everything. But I found my way and The interview partners talk about a bad, and now I sit down here and just now I feel quite okay and you can number of stress factors. look forward. This is what I hope for see that I am again leading a normal Many describe how they still suffer many refugees. (Grace, 25, Uganda) life. This would be my message to the from being separated from their young refugees, the children and the parents. Some mention stress related youth, women as such, the adults, to the living conditions in the new 2 .3 .7 Trauma, stress, symptoms to look forward. They are stuck in environment, to the experience of their past, they don’t want to learn being a stranger and isolated. and coping mechanisms anything, they are simply afraid where they would end up in their lives, how “Since the time I came here, a lot of Only the interview partner who the future will be and so on. I know things were not okay. I think I could decided to join the Eritrean military many people who went back home be like someone who is free, with services at the age of 16 does not talk again. Their application was rejected, no one still chasing me, but so many about the symptoms of psychological they were deported. They were put things are hard, you know. It’s so hard trauma. However, the other interview into prison and then brought back to being somewhere where you don’t partners do and usually refer to their Africa. And there they are. Then we know the people, you can’t speak experiences of violence in their home used to cry and thought now it will be their language and it’s like you don’t countries. us, I will be the next and tomorrow it’s know anything. Even no family. (…) your turn. You are coming and they Sometimes it’s hard in life, when you Looking back at the early days in say the room is empty, he is gone. The don’t have anything, you don’t have Germany when they thought they people are living with this fear. But for anyone, just by yourself.” (Salomon, would be deported or their precarious me, it was like a victory to go through 24, Uganda) living conditions in Germany, they

Case study 14

Salomon Z., 24, is from Uganda. He attacks against villages where children wrongly testify that one of the lea- grew up in poor conditions with his were abducted to be abused as child ding opposition politicians had been single mother. Since she could not soldiers. However, he primarily served a rebel leader. The rebel group even- afford his further education after pri- as spy and messenger. The rebel orga- tually organised his escape during mary school, she left her son in the nisation sent him to high school and a transport of prisoners. Several hands of an uncle who was a Cap- university. But instead of being able to months before the interview, he was tain in the national army. There he study and to graduate, he was obliged smuggled to Germany by plane. His first served as domestic worker and to spy on and agitate fellow students. asylum procedure is still ongoing, by the age of twelve, his uncle star- Salomon was already over eighteen he has only a temporary residence ted taking him to military trainings. when he was arrested by government permit for the period of the asylum At the age of fourteen, Salomon was soldiers after a demonstration. In a procedure. He is attending a langu- a ‘fully trained soldier’. When his house search they found a parcel with age course. Due to the severe phy- uncle switched sides from the natio- weapons which he had been assigned sical and trauma symptoms, he is nal army to the rebels of the Peoples to take somewhere. In the following now under treatment. He is trying to Redemption Army, Salomon joined three years of detention Salomon was actively deal with his past as child the rebels as well. He participated in massively tortured. He was extorted to soldier and victim of torture. Between Fear and Hope – Child Soldiers as Refugees in Germany terre des hommes – B-UMF 37

Many of the interview partners is where our prayers and my hopes go Several interviewees wish to forget indicate that the fact of their residency to - at least one day, just everybody will what has happened in the past, but say being insecure and the restrictions have the same rights, regardless of race, that the memories always get to them: connected to their lack of official colour, background or sex. Everybody status were very stressful (idleness will be able to have the equal rights. I “I cannot control my head, I always because of not being allowed to work am not talking about Germany as such, get nightmares. I need help.” (Hassan, and the obligation to stay in their I am talking about the world, so that 16, Sierra Leone) assigned district). Insecurity related to everybody will be able to live in a better residence status always goes hand in place.” (David, 19, Sierra Leone) One male interview partner describes hand with the fear of being deported. the intensification of his psychological The same interview partner puts his problems after he arrived in Germany, “You are not allowed to work, you feelings of exclusion in Germany into due to the isolation and the lack of are not allowed to leave the area, you perspective by recalling his experiences anything to do. He was overwhelmed are always controlled. This is hard, it in his home country: by memories of the war that appeared makes life difficult, without hope. (…) in the form of hallucinations: Your staying here, that is a problem. “Whatever situation I am in right now, Am I really accepted? Will I be sent here in Germany, no matter, but I “Then the real horror starts. All those back to Africa next week? Will I live would say (…) it is much better than experiences, experiences of war, today? Am I sick? Am I allowed to go what we Africans are seeing in our own everything comes up, one after the and visit friends? You are not allowed countries - that is the big thing. (…) other. Because I am just lost in my to move from (State), you are not Sometimes the society makes you - you thoughts. (…) I only stay home. And allowed to work.“ (Grace, 25, Uganda) are not even on the right track. Keep on then, I have seen so many things. walking the rest of your live, do things (…) I still ask myself, how could this • Racism and social exclusion right, no matter if what they are doing happen? (…) I still have the same is wrong. The majority is always bigger eyes, I think I am normal. I am just One interview partner describes how than the minority. There is no chance sitting there, and people are coming he suffers from the hopelessness of in anything. Seeing my live today in out of the wall. I don’t know how I his current situation: because of the Germany is - compared to those days can describe this but really, they are obligation to remain in a certain area, back and with other people, I would coming out from there, bloody hands, he is forced to permanently stay in the say that, yeah, I give thanks to the what I have seen in war. Cut-off hands, small town where he feels excluded almighty God every day because it’s yes and the destroyed (stops)…” and attacked. Several interview much better. So much, much better.” (Peter, 22, Sudan) partners mention isolation and racism. (David, 19, Sierra Leone) Many interview partners try to avoid “With the situation in Germany (…) • Symptoms of trauma thinking of their past experiences by for a black person, you know - the distracting themselves with work, racism is very hard. But for now, these Many interview partners mention school or another occupation. past few years, it’s getting less. It is symptoms of trauma such as sleeping not easy. It is the older people who disorders, nightmares, haunting “When I stay at home alone, it still have the mentality of racism. But memories, problems concentrating and also makes me think back. But if I not all. Like (part of a city), before forgetfulness. get something to do that keeps me those years, there were only few black busy, then I don’t think too much. people. When you were going out, “I am simply not feeling well and I (…) Before I started coming for the people would be looking at you as am always tired, I don’t sleep and therapy, I used to make sure that every if - you know? Sometimes you come sometimes I am thinking of things time I’m busy doing something like across embarrassing situations, a which I don’t want to think about. cleaning or something, so that I don’t police control for example. (…) You Then, all the memories are coming think too much.” (Rose, 19, Uganda) see the racism, it’s difficult. (…) The back. For example at the school where differences between you and others, I am going now, sometimes I am • Feelings of guilt you know? But, as I said earlier, that’s learning something and when I go out, the way it is. And I know, with time, I forget everything at once.” (Hassan, Some interviewees talk about their things will change to the better. That 16, Sierra Leone) feelings of guilt which still affect them today. Between Fear and Hope – Child Soldiers as Refugees in Germany terre des hommes – B-UMF

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“What I have done when I was a soldiers come into contact with and • Therapy child… No matter what people say, are those who seek further support. that you were small, that you were The majority of the interviewees has under drugs and so on, but I feel that “When I had just arrived in Germany either already received therapeutic I have done something, because I still (…) I met some people who first care or is still receiving it, usually in see pictures, I still see pictures, the wanted to hear my story and then psychosocial centres for refugees. people to whom I did something, and they were there to help me, every time this is very, very hard for me to live when I had a problem, when I was Nearly all the interview partners with.” (Chérif, 20, Guinea) sick or when I wanted something, they describe therapy as key to their were always there to help me, help stability. They identify different factors • Suicidal tendencies me with my children. They treat me which they consider important. For like their own child. To ensure that them, the therapists are important Several interview partners say they I am happy all the time. (…) They people with whom they can interact have thought about suicide in the past were two old ladies, one had worked with, whom they can trust, and with and in the present: in the home where I was, where I whom they can discuss issues that was brought to. The other one was are taboo in daily life, and who can “I don’t know if there is something my caretaker, and the care and the give competent advice and support important for life. Because sometimes love that they gave me was more than regarding their problems. I see like life is meaningless. It’s just working in this home. Yes, they Some interviewees confirm that nothing. We all struggle with life and were always there for me.” (Rose, 19, regular therapy sessions have helped at the end of the day (crying) it turns Uganda) them, and that the symptoms of out like nothing. So to me, life is trauma have decreased over the nothing. I mean it’s there, but it means Teachers and school social workers course of time. nothing to me.” (Rose, 19, Uganda) who are in contact with the former child soldiers can also be important “After I had been assigned to a points of contact and can seek further therapist at the (psychosocial centre 2 .3 .8 Professional support support. for refugees), I went to see him every week and told him about my problems through social work and therapy Some of the interview partners were and we talked and slowly, slowly the helped by psychosocial centres for trauma goes away. It has not come up Many interviewees are grateful for refugees and victims of torture, which since years now.“ (Mike, 24, Sierra the chance to live in Germany, to offer therapeutic support and social Leone) receive support, to have their basic counselling. needs fulfilled to have escaped from One interview partner explains how persecution and poverty in their One interview partner reports that the therapy helped him to activate his countries of origin. a psychosocial centre put him in own skills and resources: touch with a mentor who spoke his “Here are people who do a lot of mother tongue and accompanied and “The most important help I got work. They help. The help is good for supported him whenever necessary from the therapies, the talking. They me, it’s very good. Because like me (for example on issues related to allow me to see what is in my mind, now, I don’t work. If I were to be in education and administrative issues). release the tension. To put into my country, I could not be eating, my practice, to allow my fears to go away. children could not be going to school, “When he (mentor) comes to me, we It helped me for me to be myself, for they would not have clothes, food do not only do the home work, we me to notice the environment around and so. But here it’s - the care is okay. also talk. He explains to me how I can me. (…) It motivates me more, (…) Good.” (Kate, 25, Uganda) better get organised here in Germany, to be self-conscious, to be focussed, how I can live, how the culture is, the polite and then make use of my own • Staff in refugee housing, in public offices, I must be patient. So, if abilities, to exploit my abilities to do counselling centres etc . I wouldn’t be able to talk – I am really something out of my life.” (David, 19, stressed by the public offices.” (Chérif, Sierra Leone) The staff in accommodation centres 20, Guinea) are important as they are the first people the newly arrived former child Between Fear and Hope – Child Soldiers as Refugees in Germany terre des hommes – B-UMF 39

2.3.9 Hopes and aims for the who I can become. (…) I am living in children don’t have to go through the future fear almost every day of my life. I went same thing, and to help those children through a lot, both in prison and as a and other people who already have The interviews indicate that former rebel. Every time I was like a homeless been into it, so that they can continue child soldiers need time and security person, someone who is just running living, in order to have a normal life. in order to develop new prospects for because you can’t stay anywhere. Every (…) Because I can see myself, without their life in exile. In the interview with time you are here, they are looking for the help I could well be like that up to the youth who at that time had only you. You change everything, you run today. (…) In any case, I learnt a lot been in Germany for a few weeks, it is to another place. And in prison it was and I went through many experiences, very clear how the experience of war worse. So, every time that I’m here and I would continue to fight, not only for and of being a child soldier can affect I don’t know what’s going on with my me but also for other young people.” ideas about the future: case, I don’t know if tomorrow I will (Chérif, 20, Guinea) be deported back or what is going to happen to me tomorrow, it scares me Those whose parents and other “At the moment I don’t know how much more. I just don’t know what I relatives may still be alive hope to find the future will look like, how it can can become, because I don’t know if I them again one day: look like, but what is there in my head will ever be here of if I’m taken back. now is: first, I want to learn or go to (...) I’m just scared of everything. (…) I “My future? First of all to find my school, then I want to become soldier just want to be free. (whispering), just family again and to live happily with in order to fight the evil. (…) I want to be happy like any other person. Just them. I would also be very proud of to help other people, those who don’t to live a life without fear. Yeah, that is myself if I could help other youth. (…) have power. (..) I want to help people. what I want at the moment.” (Salomon, I am afraid and I am ashamed that, Maybe God will forgive me one day. 24, Uganda) if I find my mother again, she would (…) I want to revenge my mother and look at me as a not so good boy. If my sister, and help people.“ (Hassan, Another interviewee who still only she would think I am a bad boy, she 16, Sierra Leone) officially has been given “exceptional would cry forever. Because she would leave to remain” describes how difficult blame herself for it, (…) I never wanted Another interview partner who is still it is to develop goals so long as external that. And this gives me more strength going through the asylum application conditions remain so uncertain: to keep on running, so that when I process describes the difficulties of find her she can be proud of me. And developing his own goals for the “I can’t see my future because I don’t I would also be proud that maybe I future in a completely different world, even know where to start from. Yeah. could help her.”(Chérif, 20, Guinea) after a life of heteronomy. As long as It’s when I know where to start from - permanent residency is not granted, then I can know my future.” (Abdul H., Many want to devote their lives to it is very hard to make plans for the 25, Sierra Leone) peace and change: future because fear of being deported overshadows everything else. Those interview partners who have “What I would wish for is to never already been living in Germany for a again in my life participate in war. I “To say the truth, I don’t know. long time, who have managed to secure also want to simply help people who (Talking in a low voice, visibly moved) their residence status and who have have problems, problems related to Because it’s very hard to just get out access to therapy and education were war. Something like an ambassador of of one life into another life and then able to develop their own ideas of a peace, for my life. I hope I can make come from this life into the other one “normal” life. it. Just to be loud, an ambassador for immediately. I have been fighting, peace.” (Peter, 22, Sudan) (…) from twelve years on I have been Several interviewees talk about plans a soldier, and now I am 24 years, for the future and about how to Some interview partners stress including the three years in prison. “repair” the past: their desire to attain a high level of So I spent more time just as a soldier, education so that later on they can knowing that the only way you can “We went through many things, maybe assume positions of responsibility in take care, can go on with your life is we can start a project, if we manage, their home countries and advocate a only with the gun. It’s not the first time in order to help other children. This fairer society. that I am receiving that question, but is why we start working now. (…) I really don’t know what I can be or I would love to help so that other Between Fear and Hope – Child Soldiers as Refugees in Germany terre des hommes – B-UMF

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Others appreciate the help and support they have received in Germany and want to give back some of this to others.

“I just wish that there will be a time and ways for me to show lots of appreciation. For instance if I make it in life, you know. Whether I’m rich or I’m half rich. But I’m not determined to be a poor man. (laughing) To show the people who make me today, who show me the way, who help me to be what I am. (…) To show the individuals who have the confidence in me in the first place, even though they do not know me. Who say: David, you can do this. People like Mrs K (school social worker). To give back to them, you know? To prove that their confidence did not fail. (…) So that a least they will keep up their good work and good faith, knowing that what they are doing is not a waste of time. Not only about the money, it has something to do with the heart, too. Yeah, to say that I’m grateful, and many, many thanks, I pray for them always, always.“ (laughing) (David, 19, Sierra Leone) Between Fear and Hope – Child Soldiers as Refugees in Germany terre des hommes – B-UMF 41

3. Conclusion and recommendations

Former child soldiers need particular prevent stabilisation of their mental procedures to determine the residence protection. The results of the study state. Minors must be housed in an status of those concerned. show that the current procedures for environment that is appropriate for reception and granting of asylum do youths and where educational care is Persecution must be recognised as not do justice to traumatised former guaranteed. a specific situation when decisions child soldiers. regarding asylum are taken. Children Child and youth welfare institutions and youths who escape to Germany That former child soldiers who where minors are housed must to escape the threat of recruitment come to Germany as refugees get ensure that young refugees who must be protected. The same applies to appropriate care and support should are under psychological stress are children and youths who have escaped not be left to chance. According to the given support. The staff of such from an armed group. Threatening Optional Protocol on the involvement institutions must be able to deal with situations for former members of of children in armed conflict that the specific complexities related to armed groups can occur even years Germany has signed, the state is child soldiering. Therefore, adequate after a conflict has come to an end. obliged to guarantee adequate care, training has to be organised for the assistance and treatment to former staff. • Organising hearings for asylum in child soldiers. a manner that is conducive for former The study indicates that former child soldiers • Improving the identification of child soldiers who have become former child soldiers adults are also among the group of The special situation of former vulnerable refugees who can come child soldiers must be considered The authorities have to ensure that under additional stress because of during asylum hearings. As soon as former child soldiers are identified as the conditions in homes for asylum indications are given that a person such when they arrive in Germany, seekers (poor conditions of the seeking asylum was recruited as a qualifying them as particularly institutions, shared rooms, inhabitants child soldier, specially trained staff and vulnerable refugees. In the context who are stressed, deportations etc.). interpreters must be employed. The of the clarification procedure, the They must be cared for in a secure high probability that an asylum seeker reasons for the escape of minors and environment which can facilitate their will be traumatised must be taken into their individual needs regarding help, stabilisation. account when hearings take place. care and therapy must be assessed. Traumatised people who are not stable Further measures must be determined • The acceptance of the are often not able to report on events and initiated by specialists – for experiences of child soldiers as in a detailed, chronological, consistent example psychosocial support, legal grounds for escape and asylum and unambiguous manner and this representation, the clarification of must be taken into account. Legal residence status, accommodation The research shows that former child guardians and, if desired, other persons appropriate to the needs of the youths, soldiers need to be granted long-term of trust should be present during the and access to education. If necessary, and guaranteed residency so that hearings. specially trained experts should also they can become mentally stable be made responsible for defining and develop prospects for the future. When minors are involved, such a minor’s age during the clearing Government agencies and courts hearings should only take place after procedure. must therefore recognise them as they have already been in Germany for politically persecuted refugees in need a few months to ensure enough time • Housing former child soldiers in of protection, and grant them asylum for the clearing procedures and allow non-shared facilities status. them time to calm down and prepare themselves. The study suggests that The study also concludes that the accommodation in shared facilities for current practise often does not asylum seekers is far from conducive consider former child soldiers’ If necessary, the hearings should to the well-being of former child specific reasons for fleeing their home be adjourned until the former child soldiers. Conditions in such homes countries and the related stress. This soldiers are mentally stable thanks to can result in an intensification of can result in stressful and tedious the help of therapeutic support. Expert their psychological stress and can advice and psychosocial support during Between Fear and Hope – Child Soldiers as Refugees in Germany terre des hommes – B-UMF

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the asylum procedure must be granted of the necessary financial means for from the beginning. psychosocial centres for refugees and victims of torture. • Abolishing residence obligation Former child soldiers must be housed Residence obligation means asylum in facilities that from the onset grant seekers have to remain in a specific access to counselling, therapeutic geographical area and can impede services and medical care. access to advice and education, as well as social networks. It can result in further stress for the traumatised • Ensuring access to education and young refugees. This restriction is training absolutely counterproductive and should be abolished. Residence The study points out the need that obligation violates the human right to former child soldiers be able to freedom of movement (Article 13 of access education and training. This the Universal Declaration of Human also applies to youths aged over 16 Rights, adopted in the year 1948). and adults. Young refugees who are traumatised are particularly in need of • Guaranteeing therapeutic care occupation, a daily structure, targets and experiences of success. Including Former child soldiers are likely to them in a class structure and having be heavily traumatised due to the them supported by teachers can experiences of war, having been give them a sense that they have a victims of extreme violence and forced regular daily structure and thus help to become perpetrators. On top of this, bring them stability. It must be taken they are stressed by the escape from into account that they might have their home country, the arrival in a special needs because of gaps in their strange culture and the fact of usually education or stress. being alone, without friends or family. The study indicates that therapeutic The report also shows that access care and support for former child to education often depends on the soldiers is extremely essential so that initiative of the young refugees they can learn how to deal with stress. themselves, on local projects or on The study also documents that to date the judgement of the local authorities. there are no regulations about access However, the government should to therapeutic care. ensure right from the start that former child soldiers are given the chance to It should not be left to chance develop professional prospects for the that former child soldiers might future, even long-term prospects. The meet people who recognise their study indicates that the young people psychological status and can can make use of such chances and administer appropriate care. Access build up an independent life despite to therapy and psychosocial support psychosocial stress. must be granted from the start and the person providing such care has to be qualified for dealing with interculturality, trauma and questions related to being a perpetrator. It is the duty of politicians and public administrators to ensure that the appropriate capacities are available – for example through the provision Between Fear and Hope – Child Soldiers as Refugees in Germany terre des hommes – B-UMF 43 4. Demands of terre des hommes and the Federal Association for Unaccompanied Refugee Minors

The compliance with international support. In Germany, this can only be • Restrictions related to asylum such as treaties ensured in certain cities. the residence obligation impede access to education, training and therapy The Federal Republic of Germany must • Unaccompanied refugees must always centres and should therefore not be change the relevant laws and practical be assigned a qualified guardian and applied. The obligation for residence procedures after the withdrawal of its legal support. Decisions must be taken violates the human right to freedom of reservations to the UN Convention on with parents or the guardian, and they movement (Article 13 of the Universal the Rights of the Child. They still prevent must be taken in the best interest of the Declaration of Human Rights, adopted the equal treatment of all children in child: it must be decided whether the in the year 1948). Germany. best interest of the child is to apply for asylum, to return to their country of No deportations, custody pending Reception procedures suitable to the origin or to be assigned to another town deportation or imprisonment on needs of children and guardianship (if for example the child can be reunited remand with family members in another town or • After arriving in Germany, minors if s/he could join up with other people • Forced deportations, custody pending have to go through a qualified clearing of the same language and/or culture). deportation and imprisonment on procedure that lasts at least three to six remand for minors without documents months. Their needs and – if documents Asylum procedures and regulations must be abandoned completely. They are not available – their age must must be suitable to the needs of are in no way compatible with children’s be assessed and defined by specially children rights. trained and neutral experts trained in psychology and in children’s rights. • Unaccompanied minor refugees aged Guaranteed access to education and 16 and above are treated as adults in work • Traumatised children must be identified Germany when it comes to judicial and cared for psychologically. issues related to foreigners. This must be • All refugee children must be granted changed. access to regular education up to the • Refugee children and German children age of 18. Access to educational services must have the same right to access • Grounds for escape that are relevant - especially for former child soldiers - medical treatment, therapy, education, to children (for example recruitment enables young people to have a regular professional training and the labour as child soldier, child trafficking, well- daily structure and especially to develop market. grounded fear of sexual abuse) must prospects for their future. be considered as relevant grounds • Refugee children must receive support for asylum and must be recognised in • Young refugees must have equal according to their age and their stage of practice. chances to build their own future and to development, for example through youth facilitate their integration into society. services. • All traumatised children must be Access to vocational education and granted a guaranteed and long-term in-firm-training should not be affected • All refugee children must be granted residence status so that they can find by their status. support according to the Social Code, mental stability. Book Eight (SGB VIII). Establishing regular opportunities to • The assessment and definition of age immigrate to Europe • Refugee children, and especially (when documents are not to hand) those who are traumatised, should and the identification of particularly • The European Union must establish in general be treated and welcomed vulnerable children such as traumatised additional legal access for refugees in compassionately because they are children are significant points in the order to stop the alarming conditions particularly vulnerable, both physically proceedings for the further care of for refugees on Europe’s borders. and mentally. a child. Only qualified and neutral Children and youth are further exposed experts who are trained in psychology to additional traumatic experiences • Minors should not be housed in and children’s rights should be made during their escape. places that are not suitable for children. responsible for this. The age definition Children should be housed in places must be based on the level of maturity • The granting of protection from where they can receive professional since medical methods are not persecution must be guaranteed and not sufficiently accurate. left to chance. Between Fear and Hope – Child Soldiers as Refugees in Germany terre des hommes – B-UMF

Between Fear and Hope -- Child Soldiers as Refugees in Germany terre des hommes -- B-UMF 44 5. Glossary

Armed conflict Convention on the Rights of the of up to three months and are then The term “armed conflict” describes Child (CRC) reallocated to institutions located in both international and non- The Convention entered into force local municipalities. international armed conflicts of in 1990. It is a human rights treaty larger and smaller dimensions. Today, setting out the civil, political, Non-state armed groups in many cases state forces, often economic, social, and cultural rights See “Armed groups“ supported by paramilitary groups, fight of children. The Convention generally against opposition groups (frequently defines a child as any human being Optional Protocol to the Convention called rebels – see “Armed groups”). under the age of 18 and sets standards on the Rights of the Child on the for the protection and support of involvement of children in armed Armed groups children all over the world. All states, conflict (OPAC) In most of today’s armed conflicts, except Somalia and the USA, have The Optional Protocol bans the state forces (armies), often supported ratified the Convention. Germany recruitment and use of children by paramilitary groups, fight against ratified the UN Convention in 1992. and youths below the age of 18 in armed opposition groups (frequently armies and in armed groups http:// called rebels). Paramilitary and Demobilisation treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails. opposition groups are non-state armed The formal and controlled discharge of aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=IV- groups. In many cases, both states soldiers from national forces or non- 11-b&chapter=4&lang=en. However, forces and non-state armed groups use state armed groups. state armies are allowed to voluntarily child soldiers. recruit minors above 15. The Optional ECOMOG Protocol entered into force in 2002 Child soldiers The Economic Community of West and was ratified by 151 countries, A legally binding definition of the African States Monitoring Group, including Germany in 2004. Article term child soldier does not exist. The or ECOMOG, was a West African 6 stipulates that “State parties shall “Optional Protocol to the Convention multilateral armed force established take all feasible measures to ensure on the Rights of the Child on the by the Economic Community of West that persons within their jurisdiction Involvement of Children in Armed African States (ECOWAS). ECOMOG recruited or used in hostilities Conflict” (2000) refers to children was a formal arrangement for separate contrary to the present Protocol are who have either already been enlisted armies to work together and to curtail demobilized or otherwise released by the armed forces or non-state military conflicts. It intervened in from service. States Parties shall, when armed groups or who these groups Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea Bissau necessary, accord to these persons intend to enlist in the future. In and Côte d’Ivoire. all appropriate assistance for their more current documents, such as physical and psychological recovery the Paris Principles from February Exceptional leave to remain and their social reintegration”. 2007 www.unicef.org/emerg/files/ (“Duldung”) ParisPrinciples310107English.pdf, Refugees whose asylum application Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder which till December 2012 were has been rejected but who cannot be (PTSD) signed by more than 100 countries, deported on humanitarian or other See “Trauma” one speaks of “children associated grounds receive an “exceptional with armed forces or armed groups”. leave to remain” and suspension of Refugees According to the generally accepted deportation”, for a period of time that Refugee is a legal term used to definition specified in these documents, ranges from a few days to several describe a person who fulfils a child soldier or child associated with months. Several restrictions regarding the definition set out in the an armed force or armed group is “any residency obligation (see glossary), the Geneva Convention of 1951 person below 18 years of age who is right to work, access to social benefits relating to the status of refugees or who has been recruited or used are imposed upon them. (“Refugee Convention”). The by an armed force or armed group in Geneva Convention contains the any capacity, including but not limited Initial reception centres internationally recognised definition of to children, boys and girls, used as When they first enter Germany, a refugee, and this definition is applied fighters, cooks, porters, messengers, refugees are allocated to a certain by all countries which have signed spies or for sexual purposes. It does not state, according to an allocation the Convention. Article 1 states that only refer to a child who is taking or quota. They first have to live in an “the term ‘refugee’ shall apply to any has taken a direct part in hostilities.” initial reception centre for a period person who…, owing to well-founded Between Fear and Hope – Child Soldiers as Refugees in Germany terre des hommes – B-UMF 45

fear of being persecuted for reasons of have to remain in the respective state. such as post-traumatic stress disorder race, religion, nationality, membership If they wish to leave the area, they (PTSD), accompanied by flashbacks, of a particular social group or political have to make an application for it avoidance and increased excitement opinion, is outside the country of his at the Foreign Resident Authority in due to fear. Children who experience nationality and is unable or, owing to due time. The Authority then judges war and violence are particularly at such fear, is unwilling to avail himself if the application is in line with risk. of the protection of that country; or “urgent public need or compulsory, who, not having a nationality and or if the rejection of the approval Unlimited residence permit being outside the country of his former would be an inequitable hardship” (Niederlassungserlaubnis) habitual residence as a result of such (§ 58 Subsection 1 of the Asylum Refugees who are recognised events, is unable or, owing to such Procedure Act (Asylverfahrensgesetz)). according to Article 16a of the fear, is unwilling to return to it.” The The residential obligation results in German Constitutional Law term “refugee” used in this report is isolation of the persons affected; for (Grundgesetz) or the Geneva Refugee not determined by the fact of whether example, participation at German Convention, and whose recognition a person has officially been recognised lessons and events, or visiting friends has not been revoked after a as refugee or not. or relatives often is prevented. When maximum of three years have a right someone applying for asylum violates to unlimited permission to live in Residence permit the residential obligation by moving Germany with an unlimited residence (Aufenthaltserlaubnis) out of the district without a written permit. Refugees who have a residence A residence permit limited up to permit, s/he is punished with a fine or permit on humanitarian grounds three years can be granted to people detention. The residential obligation and who want to get an unlimited who are entitled to asylum as well violates the central und universal residence permit must have been in as refugees granted protection human right to freedom of movement. Germany for at least seven years. They from deportation according to the also need to prove that they have Geneva Convention. It can also be Taking into care (Inobhutnahme) already contributed to the pension issued on humanitarian grounds, for According to the Eighth Book of scheme for five years, that they can example in case of a life threatening the Social Code (SGB VIII), § 42 assure their livelihood and that their disease which cannot be treated in Subsection 1, Clause 1 Num. 3, the knowledge of the German language is the country of origin. The Residence Youth Welfare Office is entitled adequate. Act passed in 2005 lists 30 different and obliged to take a child or youth residence permits, whose differences into care in case a foreign child are explained in a series of paragraphs. or youth comes to Germany as an A residence permit always has a time unaccompanied minor, and if no limit and can only be extended if the person is in the country who is conditions that existed when it was entitled to take care of him or her. granted still exist. All those below the age of 18 have to be assigned to a legal guardian Residence title for specific purposes and have to be housed with someone (Aufenthaltsgestattung) who is suited to host him or her, For the period of the asylum in an appropriate institution or in procedure, aliens receive a “residence other accommodation. A home for title for specific purposes” asylum seekers is not appropriate accommodation in the sense of this Residential obligation regulation, since appropriate care (Residenzpflicht) cannot be guaranteed. http://b-umf. Refugees with an unsecured residence de/images/stories/dokumente/ have to permanently reside in an “area handlungsleitfaden-4.auflage-2009.pdf of physical restriction”. This applies to people seeking for asylum who Trauma have to remain in the administrative When people are exposed to (life) district to which they have been threatening situations with which they assigned, and for people with an cannot cope, in consequence they can “exceptional leave to remain” who develop psychological stress reactions Between Fear and Hope – Child Soldiers as Refugees in Germany terre des hommes – B-UMF

Between Fear and Hope -- Child Soldiers as Refugees in Germany terre des hommes -- B-UMF 46 6. Bibliography

• ALFREDSON, L. (2001): Sexual Selbsttötungsabsichten, Stuttgart: • INTERNATIONAL LABOUR Exploitation of Child Soldiers: An Klett-Cotta. ORGANISATION (1999): Worst Exploration and Analysis of Global Forms of Child Labour Convention, Dimensions and Trends. Coalition • FISCHER, G. (2003) Neue Wege 1999 (No. 182). http://webfusion. to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers aus dem Trauma – Erste Hilfe bei ilo.org/public/db/standards/ Newsletter Nr. 2, December 2001 schweren seelischen Belastungen, normes/appl/appl-displayConv. Düsseldorf / Zürich: Walter Verlag. cfm?conv=C182&hdroff=1&lang=en • BEAH, I. (2007): A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier, New York: • FISCHER, G.; RIEDESSER, P. • LUDWIG, M. (2003): Former Child Farrar, Straus and Giroux. (1999) Lehrbuch Psychotraumatologie, Soldiers as refugees in Germany, München: Reinhadt. http://www.quno.org/geneva/pdf/ • BRETT, R., and SPECHT, I. (2004): TdHQUNO.pdf Young soldiers: why they choose to • FLATTEN, G.; WÖLLER, W.; fight, Boulder, Co: Lynne Rienner HOFMANN, A. (2001) Therapie der • MACHEL, G. (1996): The Impact Publishers/Geneva, Switzerland: ILO. Posttraumatschen Belastungsstörung. of Armed Conflict on Children, New In: Flatten, G.; Hofmann, A.; York, United Nations, www.unicef. • BUNDESMINISTERIUM DES Liebermann, P.; Wöller, W.; Siol, T.; org/graca/a51-306_en.pdf INNEREN / MINISTRY OF Petzold, E. (Hrsg.) Posttraumatische INTERNAL AFFAIRS: Immigration in Belastungsstörung, Stuttgart: • MAIER, T. and SCHNYDER, U. Germany – information available only Schattauer. (2007): Psychotherapie mit Folter in German, www.zuwanderung.de und Kriegsopfern – ein praktisches • GÄBEL, U.; RUF, M.; SCHAUER, Handbuch, Bern: Verlag Hans Huber. • BUNDESMINISTERIUM DER M.; ODENWALT, M.; NEUNER, JUSTIZ (2004/2008) / MINISTRY OF F.-Psychologische Forschungs- und • OFFICE OF THE UNITED JUSTICE: Gesetz über den Aufenthalt, Modellambulanz für Flüchtlinge, NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER die Erwerbstätigkeit und die Integration Universität Konstanz (2006): FOR HUMAN RIGHTS (1998): von Ausländern im Bundesgebiet Prävalenz der Posttraumatischen Convention on the Rights of the Child, (Aufenthaltsgesetz – AufenthG Belastungsstörung (PTSD) und http://www.unicef.org/crc/ (Residence Act)), www.bundesrecht. Möglichkeiten der Ermittlung in der juris.de/bundesrecht/aufenthg_2004/ Asylverfahrenspraxis. In: Zeitschrift • OFFICE OF THE UNITED gesamt.pdf für klinische Psychologie und NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER Psychotherapie, Göttingen: Horgrefe FOR HUMAN RIGHTS (2002): • COALITION TO STOP THE USE Verlag, pg. 12 - 20. Optional Protocol to the Convention OF CHILD SOLDIERS (2008): on the Rights of the Child on Child Soldiers Global Report 2008. • HANSWILLE, R., KISSENBECK, A. the involvement of children in London: Coalition to Stop the Use (2008) Systemische Traumatherapie. armed conflict (A/RES/54/263 of Child Soldiers, http://www. Konzepte und Methoden für die of 25 May 2000), http://treaties. childsoldiersglobalreport.org/files/ Praxis, Heidelberg: Carl-Auer-Systeme. un.org/Pages/ViewDetails. country_pdfs/FINAL_2008_Global_ aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=IV-11- Report.pdf • HERMAN, J. (1992): Complex b&chapter=4&lang=en PTSD: A syndrome in survivors of • CREMER, H. on behalf of prolonged and repeated trauma, • PIEPER, T. ( 2008): Die Gegenwart Kindernothilfe and terre des hommes Journal of traumatic stress, Vol. 5 (23), der Lager: Zur Mikrophysik (2007): Shadow report Child Soldiers, S. 377-387. der Herrschaft in der deutschen http://www.tdh.de/publications Flüchtlingspolitik, Münster: • HONWANA, A. (2006): Child Westfälisches Dampfboot. • DAVISON, G. C. & NEALE, J. M. Soldiers in Africa – Ethnography (2002): Klinische Psychologie (6. of Political Violence, Philadelphia, • REDDEMANN, L. (2004) Auflage), Weinheim: Beltz, Psychologie Pennsylvania: University of Psychodynamisch-imaginative Verlags Union. Pennsylvania Press. Traumatherapie PITT – Das Manual. Stuttgart: Klett-Cotta. • DORRMANN, W. (2006): Suizid: • HUBER, M. (2003): Trauma und die therapeutische Interventionen bei Folgen, Paderborn: Junfermann-Verlag. • (2005): Between Fear and Hope – Child Soldiers as Refugees in Germany terre des hommes – B-UMF 47

Forgotten casualties of war. Girls in (2006): Internationale Klassifikation armed conflict psychischer Störungen. ICD-10 Kapitel V (F) – Diagnostische Kriterien für • SELDERS, B. (2009): Keine Forschung und Praxis, 4. Auflage, Bewegung! Die „Residenzpflicht“ Bern: Hans Huber. für Flüchtlinge – Bestandsaufnahme und Kritik. Hrsg. von Flüchtlingsrat Brandenburg & Humanistische Union. Berlin: Eigenverlag.

• SHAPIRO, F. (1998) EMDR - Grundlagen und Praxis. Handbuch zur Behandlung traumatisierter Menschen, Paderborn: Junfermann Verlag.

• THE PARIS PRINCIPLES: Principles and Guidelines on Children Associated with Armed Forces or Armed Groups (2007): www.unicef.org/emerg/files/ ParisPrinciples310107English.pdf

• THE ROME STATUTE OF THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT (1998): http://untreaty. un.org/cod/icc/statute/99_corr/ cstatute.htm

• UNICEF Deutschland (2007) Zynischer Missbrauch – Kritische Bilanz von UNICEF zum 5. Jahrestag des Zusatzprotokolls zur UN- Kinderrechtskonvention. www.unicef. de/index.php?id=4258

• United Nations General Assembly Security Council (2012): Children and armed conflict. Report of the Secretary-General. http://daccess- dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/ N12/320/83/PDF/N1232083. pdf?OpenElement

• VAN DER KOLK, B.A.; McFARLANE, A.C. and WEISAETH, L. (1996): Traumatic Stress: The Effects of Overwhelming Experience on Mind, Body, and Society., New York: The Guilford Press.

• Weltgesundheitsorganisation (WHO) / Dilling, H.; Mombour, W.; Schmidt, M. H.; Schulte-Markwort, E. (Hrsg.) Between Fear and Hope – Child Soldiers as Refugees in Germany terre des hommes – B-UMF

Between Fear and Hope -- Child Soldiers as Refugees in Germany terre des hommes -- B-UMF 48

terre des hommes Federal Association for Help for children in distress Unaccompanied Refugee Minors (B-UMF)

Our aim is a “terre des hommes”, an “earth of Since its foundation in 1998, the non-governmental humanity”. We help children living on the streets, organization Federal Association for Unac-companied abandoned and working children, take care of victims Refugee Minors represents young refugees and advo- of war and violence and see to the education of cates for their rights.2 The association has 170 mem- children. We support boys and girls whose families bers that are organisations and individuals working have died of AIDS, support the cause of maintaining with young refugees all over Germany. This wide biological and cultural diversity and of protecting the membership provides the Federal Association for rights of discriminated population groups. Unaccompanied Refugee Minors with an overview terre des hommes Germany was founded in 1967 by a over the living conditions of young foreigners. group of dedicated people to help children who were badly injured in the Vietnam War. The organization is The examples mentioned in this report represent seve- independent of state, church and political parties and ral aspects of everyday work our members and stand supports children in need in around 450 projects in for many similar cases. In addition, the Federal Asso- 35 countries. ciation for Unaccompanied Refugee Minors, in part- nership with UNHCR, regularly evaluates the recep- terre des hommes does not send out aid workers and tion conditions for unaccompanied minors in federal concentrates instead on supporting local initiatives. states. The Federal Association also cooperates with Our onsite project partners build schools and child UNICEF Germany and is part of the National Coali- protection centers to care for the children. The work tion for the Implementation of the CRC in Germany. carried out by terre des hommes is strictly geared to preserving and promoting the rights of the children. Donations account In Germany, volunteers in 146 cities are committed to Bank für Sozialwirtschaft München the interests of children. BIC: BFSWDE33MUE IBAN: DE31700205000008899800 Donations account Volksbank Osnabrück eG BIC: GENODEF1OSV IBAN: DE20 2659 0025 0700 8007 00 Between Fear and Hope – Child Soldiers as Refugees in Germany terre des hommes – B-UMF 49