Reply #360: Here's that article about Sweden sending more than 20,000 back

[seemslikeadream]

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=89022332

Morning Edition, March 25, 2008 · Human rights groups in Sweden are outraged that the government has decided to send Iraqi refugees back to Iraq. Sweden has taken in more than 20,000 Iraqi refugees since the war began — more than any other Western country. The Swedish government is citing an improved security situation in Iraq as the reason for returning the refugees.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=7695224


After four years of chaos and violence, nearly two million Iraqis remain outside their country, according to the UN agency for refugees. Most are overwhelming neighboring countries, particularly Jordan and Syria. In Europe, Iraqi applications for asylum have doubled over the past three years. But few European countries are offering much refuge, with one exception: Sweden.

In 2006, almost 9,000 Iraqis applied for asylum in Sweden — triple what the country was expecting, and more than 40 percent of all Iraqi refugee claims in Europe.

50-year-old Laura paid a smuggler about $30,000 to get her and two daughters to Sweden. She arrived here three months ago. The turning point for Laura was when her son was kidnapped.

"That was the day I decided to leave," says Laura, who is afraid to use her real name because her husband and two children are still trying to leave Iraq.

Her son was released after three days and a $25,000 ransom. Laura is a Christian and she blames Muslims for the chaos in her home country. But Iraqi Muslims are also seeking refuge in Sweden.




What is going to happen to all these refugees, and aren't they refugees because of us?