Young “non-westerners” Syrian women face possible deportation in Denmark
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Denmark has set a plan to deport young Syrian women, despite learning their language and integrating into their schools and society, to their home country after deciding that some areas in Syria, especially the capital Damascus and its surrounding, are now “safe” for them to return.
Young men and boys are usually excused from being sent back to Syria, as they are in danger with having to be drafted into the army if they return. Older women often have children enrolled in Danish schools, making the new policy predominantly affecting young women and elderly people.
The Danish government has been accused of racism after MPs changed the country’s controversial “anti-ghetto law” to allow Ukrainian refugees to move into social housing.
The move comes after a decree was issued saying that “non-westerners” had to be restricted from moving into what is described as “disadvantaged neighbourhoods” in order to avoid the formation of “parallel societies.”
Last year, Danish Ministry of Interior also proposed a bill that would reduce the number of residents of “non-western” origin in any Danish neighborhood to a maximum of 30% within 10 years.
Lisa Blinkenberg, of Amnesty International Denmark, said, Denmark’s policy towards asylum seekers and refugees has become notably more hostile in recent years. “In 2019, Danish Prime Minister declared that Denmark wanted ‘zero asylum seekers’. That was a really strong signal,” she said.
Rahima Abdullah, 21, a Kurdish Syrian refugee and leader of the Danish Refugee Youth Council, had almost single-handedly built a network of opposition to deportations targeting Syrians.
Abdullah has been regularly publishing opinion pieces in Danish newspapers, trying to change the Danish stance towards Syrian refugees. She has also built a profile as a refugee activist.
“The image of immigration in Danish media was very negative. I could see everyone talking about it but felt as if I didn’t have a voice. That’s why I decided to become an activist,” she says.
One of those young women that Abdullah helped was the 22-year old Aya Daher, a fellow Syrian refugee and a classmate of Abdullah.
The story of Aya Daher, back in 2019, tuned into a sensation, talked about in all Denmark and beyond, causing a public outcry. Her residency was then extended for an additional two years on the grounds that her public profile would put her in danger from the Syrian government.
“They gave me a residency permit because I was in the media. They did not believe in what I said about my situation and the dangers I would face in Syria. That really hurt,” Daher said.
Aya Daher’s case was just one story. The ghost of deportation now looms over tens of thousands of Syrian young women who are not endowed – like Daher – with the privilege of getting the media’s help.