E-BOOK: Migration Biographies - Europe on the move December 2020 | Page 23

Programme Erasmus + Europe on the move : Migration Biographies
Theses
The biggest deciding factor for many is the political and legal situations . People wish for freedom , they look for protection , individual security and legal freedom and equality . Germany gives refugees many of these freedoms and securities , as well as having a strong economy , which helps the refugees build a better life . 148 149 The strong labour market in Germany allows for strong economy and low unemployment . 150 Democracy and social freedoms , such as religious freedom allows minorities to feel included and allows them to thrive . 151 152 The possibility of a fair judicial process concerning the asylum application is also a strong factor for why Germany is often picked by many refugees . The future for people ’ s families also plays a large role . Germany ’ s strong education and health care helps people decide to move to Germany . 153 Many parents see a better future for their children and good chances for them . 154
It is hard to argue that Germany is seen as a very attractive country offering many opportunities . A strong pullfactor is security , both political , social and economic .
2.3.2 . Comparison with the reasons of the Syrian family
Family Haddad has a cousin who had lived in Germany for many decades . She lives near Dortmund and is very happy in Germany . She had frequently told them how nice Germany is as well as many positive aspects of living there , including for example , health insurance , financial support and freedom and democracy . For this reason , Germany was for them an obvious choice . The mother described her thoughts about Germany as “ we dreamed [ about Germany ]”.
Other than having a relative , the aspects such as political and religious freedom , a good education , and general safety and security were equally important to them .
Their choice of Germany was influenced by their cousin ’ s stories about Germany . She showed that it was possible to successfully move to Germany and be happy , safe , and financially successful by having herself been able to reach Germany and enjoy a good quality of life . 155 The cousin ’ s presence gave them a sense of security that they may not have had otherwise .
2.4 . Migration in Germany
2.4.1 . Arrival and procedures
After being on the run for more than three years , the German police finally picked them up in December of 2015 and brought them to a refugee camp . All of their former belongings , in particular jewellery , had been sold . This was necessary to pay the costs of fleeing . They do not have anything left of their former life apart from their wedding rings , which is their only property from Syria .
Their period in the refugee camp , a kind of barracks , was not easy . The space was small due to the large number of refugees , although they were able to live in family units . Most refugees came from different parts of Syria , but opposing religious beliefs caused tensions between different groups . They were forced to live together and accept each other ’ s different religious beliefs , something they were not used to back in Syria . Peace was , however , not always easily maintained due to the dissimilar beliefs , religions , and political affiliations .
148 ( Dr . Scholz 2013 , 126ff .)
149 ( Dr . Scholz 2013 , 131 )
150 ( Ganev , Senge und Arnold 2015 , 9 ) 151 ( Ganev , Senge und Arnold 2015 , 9 )
152 ( Dr . Scholz 2013 , 129 )
153 ( Dr . Scholz 2013 , 135,137 )
154 ( Ganev , Senge und Arnold 2015 , 9 )
155 ( Haddad 2019 , 3 )
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