We must avoid discrimination – Speech

As a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, millions of people have had their lives changed overnight. For the third time in recent times, Europe is facing a mass exodus, and there was never any doubt that Norway would contribute. We have done that. The authorities have been clear in their support from day one, and in an extraordinary situation have taken measures to be able to receive many people in a short time. The municipalities have set up to settle far more than they had planned for this year, and people all over the country have collected, donated and signed up as volunteers. Stretch out a hand Secretary General of the Red Cross Bernt Apeland warned earlier this week that refugees are treated differently in Norway in a feature in news Ytring. He points out that refugees from countries other than Ukraine have a challenging everyday life with increased uncertainty when they experience that Ukrainian refugees are at the front of the queue. It shouldn’t be like this. Apeland points out that refugees from Ukraine get free tickets to cinemas and concerts, activities, and discounted bus tickets from various operators. He writes that “no one wants to deprive someone of either a free ticket or other gifts. However, we must expand the offer so that even more people can benefit from the solidarity people in Norway now show Ukrainians”. I agree with that. I would encourage private individuals, companies and organizations to extend a hand regardless of whether those in need come from Ukraine, Eritrea or Syria. Collective protection So far this year, more than 30,000 asylum seekers have come to Norway, most of them from Ukraine. The situation in Ukraine and the surrounding areas is unpredictable and there is a great deal of uncertainty about how many will come forward. In a mass refugee situation that Europe is currently in, it is necessary to take some steps that make the early settlement phase more efficient. Temporary collective protection for all those who have had to flee Ukraine is one of these. The protection applies for one year at a time because the need is assumed to be temporary. How the war develops will determine whether the temporary protection is extended. So far this year, 20,000 refugees are living in a municipality. This is historically high and the municipalities are making a formidable effort. Refugees and asylum seekers usually have to apply for permanent residence, and the mapping process is thorough and takes longer to receive and contributes to a more accurate settlement. For refugees with collective protection, there is a simpler mapping in order to settle more quickly so that the capacity in reception is not filled up, and that people get started with as normal an everyday life as possible. Shorter waiting time The average waiting time from decision on residence to settlement for all refugees is now 1.8 months. It is a sharp decrease that will benefit all refugees who are to be resettled. Then it is the case that the temporary collective protection also means that certain rights are weakened. For example, people who have fled Ukraine do not have the same educational opportunities as other refugees. To remedy this, and to make it possible for voluntary organizations to scale up and target their work, extra grants were given to voluntary organisations, among other things. The Red Cross also received parts of the grant. The grant was earmarked to ensure an offer that reached many, quickly. We have gained a lot of experience by taking in many refugees in a short time. It gives us the opportunity to learn – and assess whether some of the adaptations made this time can and should be more permanent. I want the authorities, municipalities and volunteers to find out together. Follow the debate:



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