Dilani Johnsen Collin and her parents had their first rejections of their applications for protection on humanitarian grounds in 2011. Then they lived in asylum reception. Three years later they entered Finnsnes church. After further refusals, they were afraid of being picked up and sent out of Norway. The family say they fear for their lives if they return to Sri Lanka. Both father and daughter say they worked for the Tamil Tigers during the civil war. What is the Tamil Tigers (LTTE)? A separatist organization in Sri Lanka that has fought for an independent Tamil state, Tamil Eelam, seceded from Sri Lanka. Was formed in 1976, but has its roots back to the militant struggle organization Tamil New Tigers (TNT), which was founded in 1972. The conflict between Tamils and Sinhalese (the largest ethnic group in the country) led to civil war in Sri Lanka in the period 1983–2009, where the LTTE fought against the Sri Lankan authorities. In May 2009, the Sri Lankan government declared that it had defeated the LTTE and with that the 26-year war was over. Source: Store norske lexikon This has been confirmed by several witnesses. One of them is Lars Bleymann. He has a background in the Armed Forces, and was previously a peace observer in Sri Lanka. Bleymann lived in the country for three years, and got close to the Tamil Tigers. – There is no doubt that both Dilani and his father had a strong connection to the LTTE, and there is no doubt that it is dangerous for them to return to Sri Lanka, he says. Lars Bleymann was a peace observer during the Civil War in Sri Lanka. He has no doubt that it is dangerous for the Collin family to return to the country. Photo: Eirik Pessl-Kleiven / news – We dare not go back The Immigration Board (UNE) believes neither the church asylum seekers nor Bleymann. They believe it is safe for the family to return to their home country. They have therefore refused the application for protection and residence on humanitarian grounds. It is difficult to understand for the Collin family. – I do not have words. It’s hard to explain my pain. It hurts to constantly hear from UNE that they don’t believe in us, says Dilani Johnsen Collin. – I don’t know what I can do next, she says. On 18 September, it is eight years since she and her parents entered Finnsnes church. – Are you considering going back? – No never. We dare not go back to Sri Lanka. Then we’re done. We don’t dare go back, says Collin. The Collin family, from left Dilani, Angela and Collin, have lived in the library in Finnsnes church for almost eight years. Photo: William Jobling Believes UNE has mishandled Kjellrun Skoglund in the support group for the family Collin is shocked by yet another rejection from UNE. – We were shocked when we got it. We thought that this time it would go through, because we have so many witnesses and evidence that it is dangerous for them to return. We are distraught and don’t know what to do. We are almost in a state of shock, she says. Skoglund and the support group are clear that UNE has handled the case incorrectly. – Firstly, they have used the same tribunal chairman. We had asked to get another board chairman, and if the family could make a statement to a board. But nothing was taken into account. It is the same tribunal leader who decides, says Skoglund. In cases where there are grounds for doubt, it shall be dealt with by a panel of three members. It has not been done in this case. Næringslivstopp Hilde Midthjell has also become involved in the case. She is clear that UNE has not dealt with the case as they should. – It is quite obvious that there are doubts in this case. What legal certainty is there really when it is the same tribunal chairman who assesses whether there are grounds for doubt? Næringslivstopp Hilde Midthjell is Dilani Collins’ assistant. Midthjell has gone systematically through the whole case to get UNE to turn around. Photo: William Jobling / news UNE stands its ground UNE, on the other hand, believes that they have handled the case correctly. They have registered that they receive criticism that the case has not been dealt with in a tribunal meeting with several members, but point out that there is no basis for that in this case. – But even though there has not been a tribunal meeting in this case, we believe it has received a very thorough treatment, says unit manager at UNE, Ingun Halle. She points out that UNE has dealt with the complaint and six requests to overturn the decision. – In addition, the family has brought the case to court. We have been upheld in both the district court and the court of appeal that this family does not need protection. That too in several rounds, says Halle. After the case was heard in court, new reports have arrived from the UN and the European Parliament. In addition, there are several witnesses who have confirmed the story of the family. Halle says that they have considered this information, but still stand by their assessment that it is safe for the family to return. – We are following the current situation in Sri Lanka very closely. But we believe that the unrest and violence that is there is not primarily aimed at Tamils or those who have had some connection to the LTTE, she says. Unit manager at UNE, Ingun Halle, says they do not believe the family’s explanation. Photo: Jorun Vang Doubting the family’s explanation Halle points out that it is not primarily the situation in Sri Lanka that they disagree about, but the family’s explanation. – We believe that they have had some connection with the LTTE, but we do not believe that it has been as extensive as they say. UNE claims that the family has developed its explanation over many years, while they have been in Norway. – The case has been tried in court several times. Both the district court and the court of appeal have not found that their information is credible, says Halle. The family’s support group strongly disagrees with that assessment. – It does not match reality. They have only added additional information once after receiving the first rejection. Everything that was added has been confirmed by witnesses, says Midthjell. – It is completely absurd that UNE has neglected witnesses who know about the family’s activities in Sri Lanka, and reports from the UN and the EU which confirm that there is a security risk with the return of former LTTE operatives. Næringslivstopp Hilde Midthjell is very critical of how UNE has handled the case. Photo: Eirik Pessl-Kleiven / news
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UNE believes it is safe for family to return to Sri Lanka – doubts strong connection to LTTE – news Troms og Finnmark
