Letter from Inhabitant of Lier ventemottak, 23 April 2009

"Going back for us is not even an option, when we know that is the equivalent of committing suicide. And as life is precious and given to us by God, it is therefore in its essence to escape everything that will cause her end."

I’ve once heard His Majesty King Harald V giving the New Year’s speech. I’ve never been so hopeful before that day. And now I live in Lier ventemottak wondering what the future is holding for me.

The inhabitants of Lier ventemottak have been told that they must cooperate in order to go back to their respective countries: But it’s difficult, not to say impossible for us: because some have been sent back and their own countries rejected them, others have no country to be sent to, like Somalia. Isn’t that enough proof for the government to take a decision, shut down the “ventemottak”, and finally recognize us as refugees? Is that too much to ask?

The very same problems we run from are still there, if not worse. Our asylum cases may be closed, but our countries are not ready to receive us. So going back for us is not even an option, when we know that is the equivalent of committing suicide. And as life is precious and given to us by God, it is therefore in its essence to escape everything that will cause her end. No law encourages somebody to deliberately or intentionally kill himself or herself. Having said that I think that’s what the U.D.I. is unconsciously doing. When a person runs from trouble and then endures another trouble in the place he or she seeks refuge: well, that is a double torture.
 
Some of us have been here in Lier ventemottak for the last three years, living a very frustrating life. No one will choose to stay here and live a degrading life if one has the opportunity to go back to a peaceful land of his. For one thing is sure: people are losing their mind, and that can result in suicide. The question is how long will we undergo these mental pressures? Some may not lose their life, and will be alive, but the impact on their mind will be huge. Help is needed right away before it’s too late.

"The Disturbing Pen", inhabitant of Lier ventemottak