Reports | 25 05 2020
Despite having made it to "European territory,” fear has remained with inherent some Syrians in Sweden, where many inconveniences started to present themselves, thereby disturbing their new-found peace in their new location in which they landed, seeking security.
At the camp in the Swedish province of Vastrås, a number of Syrians were victims of different aggressions with some young Swedes attacking them, according to Taleb, a Syrian camp resident.
"This incident occurred two days in a row," says Taleb. Then, the Vastrås camp’s refugees were surprised by the Nazi logo painted on the ground; as well as the sound of an explosion at the site. Swedish police continue to investigate to find the perpetrators.
Attempted Murder!
Abbas lives in the same camp. He confirms to Rozana that he was victim of an attempted murder by one Swede. The latter stopped his car in the middle of the road and drew a pistol to his face for no reason. "I came to Sweden to escape the war and the search for peace," explains the young man.
Abbas’ incident is not the first of its kind. On October 23—which Swedish authorities called a “black day”—a young Swede named "Anton Patterson," entered the Kronan School for the teaching of Swedish language for foreigners, Trollhättan southwest of Sweden, wearing a Halloween disguise. Some people thought it was a joke; but this joke ended up claiming the lives of three people of Arab descent.
On the details of this crime, Ziad—the father of a Syrian student in the Kronan School—says: "the young man was carrying a sword in plain sight. He entered a classroom, killing two students, and a teacher of Iraqi origin.“ He adds that the police confirmed that this crime as a “hate crime” motivated by extreme racial prejudice.
There are Some Pros
Despite the problems with some of the refugees coming to Sweden, other Syrians still view their decision to come to Sweden as being the right decision, for several reasons.
"I chose Sweden because of its good reputation among European countries. It is a country in tune with all the modern amenities of life," says one refugee. He adds that Swedish society is both wonderful and humane; and although there are some difficulties, they do disappear in view of the assistance Sweden provides to those seeking refuge in the country, he says.
Another Syrian affirms that he came to Sweden to complete his education, as a graduate of one of the economic studies’ faculties in Syria.
Swedish Procedures
As a result of a series of attacks on refugee camps, which took place in some Swedish provinces at the hands of extremist right-wing groups; the Swedish Migration Board decided to maintain the confidentiality of refugees camp locations.
It is worth mentioning that during the past few months, no less than 13 refugee centers across the country were set afire. These cases are being investigated, despite the paucity of details and clarity on who started these fires; or whether they may be linked to each other. Suspicions do however indicate that most of them were premeditated.
The large number of incidents notwithstanding; the Swedish government, led by the opposition parties comprising the Conservative Party, the People's Party, and the Christian Democratic Party, signed an agreement on a final version for the granting of temporary [rather than permanent] 3-year residency permits to refugees—with the exception of families. The decision will enter into effect as of the end of 2016.