Monday, May 24, 2010
Compassionate Return?
A fact of our work is that some asylum seekers will exhaust all of the legal options and eventually face return to their home countries. Sometimes this seems difficult and unjust, but it remains a reality.
"Judy", a 65 year old Sierra Leonean woman who attends a local church is now at this juncture. In addition to fleeing violence in her country, she has a serious heart condition and it is unlikely that she will have access to the drugs she needs. Despite this, her return is inevitable. We’re in the difficult position where we understand why she wants to stay in the UK, but must to help her come to terms with and prepare for leaving the UK. We don’t want to be harbingers of doom, but also don’t want to paint the unrealistically rosy picture in IOM leaflets about "voluntary return". It’s very difficult.
The Independent Asylum Commission published a document titled "Safe Return" detailing recommendations to improve the current system, all of which would help in situations like Judy’s. However, no matter what policies are adopted by our new government, the interpersonal and pastoral elements of return will remain difficult. So, what can we do in this situation? Here are a few of my ideas:
> Prayer. We can ask God for miracles, but there is also place to enter into the biblical tradition of lament. It’s also important to try to hear from God in these situations. Statements like "God has a plan, no matter where you are" though true, can come across as twee or paint a disturbing picture of God to the asylum seeker who is returning to a country where they will face grave danger. Now is the time to remember the God who suffers with us. As Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote from prison, "only the suffering God can help."
> Realism. There is no point pretending that things are better than they are. There is a need to accept the situation and be proactive in finding churches and organisations who can support after return.
> Reliability and consistency. The person facing return experiences great uncertainty, but we will do our best to remain consistent in our support.
> Listening. Oftentimes, there comes a point where there seems that there is nothing practical we can do. Judy has come to St Rollox and simply vented her frustrations to me; it seems like nothing, but most of those in Judy’s situation are not expecting us to work miracles, they simply want to be heard.
Not a comprehensive list by any means, but a few things that can help us support those who will face return.
Also, remember Judy in your prayers. I will have to help her schedule an appointment with the IOM to discuss her return tomorrow and she will probably find this very unsettling. Pray as she prepares to return to an unsafe country.
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