– I am a human being and I have the right to privacy. The other person also has the same right to privacy, says Rashidi. She fled Iran due to forced marriage and violence. Rahidi came to Norway in the hope of having a safe and peaceful life, but has since 2011 lived in an asylum reception center. For the past four years, she has lived in a 28 square meter dormitory at Stord asylum reception center. The dormitory consists of one bedroom, kitchen living room and bathroom. Now an unknown woman moves into her dormitory. – Life at the reception is a challenge in itself. Sharing a small dormitory with an unknown person is difficult, she says. THE LIVING ROOM BECOMES A BEDROOM: UDI believes that they can either share a room or turn the living room into a bedroom. For Fariba, this means she can not air, eat or watch TV whenever she wants. Photo: Benjamin Dyrdal / news Awake from trauma Rashidi is having a hard time mentally. She has many sleepless nights due to nightmares. Her days are marked by anxiety and depression. Both the doctor and the psychologist have written letters to the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration. Both do not advise on a medical basis to change her living situation. The doctor writes in his letter that he fears it will worsen the mental condition: It is due to the pandemic that she has got the dorm for herself. Now she dreads the new everyday life. – From previous experience, I know that this will be difficult. Before the pandemic I had to share and it was completely impossible. The living room should be a place I can relax, watch TV, listen to music, eat, she says. BEDROOM: – Room small and cramped, I can not be there all day. says Rashidi. Photo: Benjamin Dyrdal / news She retires to the bedroom when others live in the same dormitory. – I can ‘t do that. It feels like a prison, she says. Understand that it can be challenging Stord asylum reception is run by Hero. The reception manager says that it is the UDI that has decided that Rashidi will live with someone else. – Living in a reception center can be challenging for families and singles. But it is the politicians who have decided that the reception apparatus in Norway should be like this, and that is what we have to deal with, says reception manager Glenn Kolbotten. NOT PERMANENT: Glenn Kringelbotten, the reception manager, understands that it can be tough to stay at the receptions. He emphasizes that Hero makes it available to the UDI, and it is the UDI that places residents. – It is not intended that it will be permanent, but unfortunately for some it will be a very long stay, he says. – No right to a private room Sharing a dormitory is not uncommon in asylum reception centers in Norway, according to Belen Vinuesa Birkenes, regional director for UDI West. – Asylum reception must have a simple but acceptable standard. That’s what we have to offer. It is not a right to a private room in Norwegian asylum reception centers, she says. Birkenes believes that Fariba’s dormitory is for two people, and they can either share a bedroom or turn the living room into a bedroom, she says. COMMON: Regional director for the UDI, Belen Vinuesa Birkenes, says that it is not unusual to share dormitories in Norwegian asylum reception centers. Birkenes believes that they take into account her medical condition. Rashidi is said to have been offered to move to other places where they offer private rooms, but that she must first apply for it. Will not move Fariba has already moved around to various receptions several times. Now she wants to live in Stord. – I have made friends who give me good support here at Stord. I do not want to move again, I thrive here, she says. HORRIBLE: Fariba Rashidi is not looking forward to living with anyone else. Photo: Benjamin Dyrdal / news
ttn-69
Fariba must share dormitory at Stord asylum reception despite warnings from psychologist and doctor – news Vestland
