Over the past six months, the Norwegian people have shown a wonderful willingness to open their doors to refugees who have been affected by a terrible war in Ukraine. We must take care of this solidarity, and as a society we must of course warmly welcome Ukrainians who are now in an extremely demanding situation. At the same time, it is time for a warning: There is consistent differential treatment of refugee groups in Norway, with the approval of both state and municipal authorities. The Red Cross has local associations and various activities for refugees throughout Norway. Our volunteers see up close a ranking of people. It happens when private actors implement local measures only for one group, when municipalities agree to resettle only refugees of a certain nationality, and it happens when state authorities announce subsidies that are also only intended to benefit one specific group. We cannot accept that. A-team and B-team In Asker, many young people at the reception for unaccompanied minors depend on bicycles from the Red Cross to get around, while refugees from Ukraine receive travel cards from Ruter and can travel anywhere for free. The same thing happens at Mysebu Transit reception for unaccompanied minors: Ukrainian refugees are allowed to travel into Oslo for free every day, while refugees from other countries are fined if they try to travel for free. Although there has been talk of creating an arrangement that benefits all refugees, it is still only refugees from Ukraine who travel for free. Red Cross volunteers have also experienced that there will be an A and B team among refugees living in reception. In Skien and Porsgrunn, the Red Cross is contacted by actors who want to provide help specifically and exclusively to Ukrainian refugees. It can be free tickets to cinemas and concerts, activities, discounted bus tickets, purchases of clothing and hygiene items from private individuals and companies, and everything must be earmarked for Ukrainian refugees. No one wants to deprive someone of either a free bus 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. Municipalities say no The differential treatment does not only apply to benefits while the refugees live in reception. We are also aware that municipalities have refused to settle refugees, because the municipalities themselves only want to settle Ukrainian refugees. In Norway, settlement is voluntary, and it is an important part of how the reception and integration of refugees works in our country. It is not acceptable for municipalities to “shop” refugees based on which country they come from. Just before the summer, the Directorate of Integration and Diversity (IMDI) announced extraordinary grants for the volunteer’s integration work. The funds were earmarked for Ukrainian refugees. The organizations that wanted to apply for this grant had to state how many Ukrainian refugees they wanted to reach with these funds. By highlighting one group above all others in this way, state authorities risk creating a class divide among the refugees who come to our country. IMDI’s grant contributes to unfortunate practices and difficult situations. The Red Cross has on several occasions refused the municipality’s requests, because we cannot agree to such discriminatory treatment. Our activities are open to everyone, regardless of nationality, religion and residence status. Great stress Although it may be unintentional, the good measures taken to look after Ukrainians on the run lead to alienation for other vulnerable groups. It is both frustrating and painful for those concerned, because they too are people on the run who need positive experiences and help to be active in Norwegian society. Red Cross volunteers at asylum reception centers tell of refugees from Eritrea and Syria who have waited for over a year to have their application processed by the Directorate of Immigration, which is now worried that they will have to wait even longer before they are settled in a municipality and can start the integration process. They find that refugees who came to the reception only a few weeks ago have already been given a place to live, while they themselves have waited six months for an answer as to which municipality they will be allowed to live in. There are many similar stories. The waiting time in the asylum and settlement process can be demanding and a strain for many refugees. Demanding equal treatment At the Red Cross, we expect the authorities to take action to ensure that the good initiatives we have seen for refugees from Ukraine reach all refugees. The enormous commitment that benefits Ukrainians shows how warm and inclusive our society can be. When everyone plays as a team, all experience shows that the integration happens almost by itself. But we cannot have subsidies and arrangements that only apply to refugees of a certain nationality, when the result in practice is that people from other countries, in the same vulnerable situation, at the same reception are given completely different opportunities to take part in the surrounding society. Differential treatment provides neither a good prerequisite nor motivation for integration. We are concerned that the treatment many refugees are now subjected to may intensify the already demanding situation they are in, and that it will negatively affect mental health. People who come to Norway to seek protection must receive equal and dignified treatment. Also read:
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Norway makes class distinctions among the refugees – Statement
