Pakistani Refugees

[marie.c]

I go to church services held for Christian refugees every third week - they live at an asylum center near here, and it's one of the few activities they're allowed to leave the center for. There aren't many, because almost all of the refugees are from the Middle East, so most of them are Muslim. There is one family I have met a few times that I am particularly concerned about.

It's a couple with a young daughter (I think about 18 months), and the husband's brother. They're from Pakistan, and they are seeking asylum because, since they are Christians, it is dangerous for them to live in the town they come from.

About a month ago, a Christian couple in the town next to their hometown was killed - according to the reports they heard, their attackers raped and killed the wife in front of her husband while they burned him alive... the family has been refused residency once and told to go back to Pakistan and just live in a different, safer city, but they say that other areas of the country are more dangerous, not less. They're appealing the refusal, but I'm worried that they won't be accepted this time either.

Prayers for them and for the families of the people killed in Pakistan would be appreciated.

 

[Sketcher]

Yeah.

Now, this is in Denmark, correct? Is there another country that they could request asylum from?

 

[marie.c]

Now, this is in Denmark, correct? Is there another country that they could request asylum from?

I'm not an expert, but as far as I know, the way it works is that refugees are allowed into the EU, and then are directed to a particular country by an EU council. That way a big country like Germany gets more refugees than a small country like Denmark, and the countries in the south don't end up trying to help way more refugees than countries in the north (which are farther from the countries refugees are trying to get away from).

The idea is to keep it all balanced, so that all the countries in the EU can help out, but without being badly damaged economically (helping refugees is expensive - most of them have to learn the language, and sometimes practical skills too, before they can start earning their own money, and during that time the State has to pay for them and their education. They also often need psychological treatment because of traumatic experiences, which the State has to provide).

I guess a bit more complicated than just being directed to a random country in the EU, though. For example, the family I know is in Denmark because they have a relative who already has residency in Denmark, and I think they chose to apply for Denmark specifically because of that. But I'm pretty sure that the EU does manage how many refugees come to each country on some level, and that once you're rejected in one country in the EU, you're rejected in ALL of the EU.

But it's possible I'm wrong about that, and you can still try outside of Europe. As far as I know, they've also requested asylum in the US (they have family there too, and family reunification really increases your chances of getting in, both because its seen as a good humanitarian practice and because it means that you know someone in the country who can help you get a job and support yourself and who will take care of you a bit at first, which makes you less of a burden on the State).

I really don't have much of a grasp on the legal proceedings involved in all of it. I do know they have an appointed lawyer, who I assume is doing the best he can. They seem to think he's doing a good job.

 

[Sketcher]

They could also try the US or Canada.

 

[DoctorJosh]

There are similar things happening in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other Middle Easter Countries as well, even Northern Africa. The only other option is to find a Christian based town in those areas, I did talk to a man from Northern Pakistan that lived in a Christian town and heard his stories, but he said his area was pretty safe since it was 100 percent Christian in his town, but the Muslims didn't come into the town, but the Christians were always mistreated and got the worst jobs, even spit on if they worked with Muslims around the area near their town. However, the United States has a long waiting list and in fact many are still in holding cells (jails) waiting to be heard about their cases. Some from Africa and the Middle East have been in holding areas for several years now. Like being in jail for several years just to see if they can be accepted as American citizens or at least find asylum in the USA. It is pretty sad to see the thousands awaiting trail just to see if they can get help and a place to stay in America. However, another option is Mexico or South America since these areas have far less restrictions than the US or EU. Argentina is also a great option. However, they may have to find finances to get there. Maybe raising a Christian fund to help them get to South America, Mexico or Argentina is a way to help. If they have no other choice and end up being sent back to Pakistan, research those Northern towns there and find out which ones are Christian towns. The man I spoke with briefly was asking for Christian Bibles, which I never found out if he got any of them. It was about 2 years ago, so I cannot remember the towns name off hand. Something to look into, hope these ideas help. God Bless.