Some of the hunger strikers in the crisis shelter in Purmerend are continuing their strike, despite talks with the Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND). They have been on hunger strike since Monday evening because they are dissatisfied with their asylum procedure.
Mohamed Yaser AlMousa from Syria is still on hunger strike. His health is being monitored. “They do checks, weight, height and blood pressure. And they see if anything changes in our appearance.” The IND was in Purmerend yesterday to explain the asylum procedure. According to them, something that happens more often, but Almousa thinks that the hunger strike may have something to do with it.
“We think that our voice has reached them and that they should explain more about the asylum procedure. Many people have also received new appointments.” The same goes for Almousa himself, which makes him think about breaking the hunger strike after all. “Not everyone who is on higher strike has been given an appointment. 22 people have started the hunger strike, of which 7 have an appointment today. They will stop the strike.”
Hamza from Yemen, who has been in the Netherlands for about 9.5 months now, has been eating again for two days. But he is considering going on hunger strike again. “I thought I had my second interview this morning, but as usual they are lying,” he says. He has been in the AZC in Purmerend since October. “To be honest, it’s good in the Netherlands, but it’s bad in the tent.”
According to a spokesperson for the IND the protest does not affect the procedures. And according to the Zaanstreek-Waterland security region, there is movement. “At the beginning of April, the IND already had a list of residents -50 to 100 people- who are eligible for a written interview. The invitations from the IND have already been sent out or will be soon. The written interviews will take place at the beginning of May in a week 18 or 19.”
Ramadan
Almousa is Islamic and also observes Ramadan. Does that make the hunger strike easier? “That’s 50/50. During Ramadan we fast 14 hours a day, but because we don’t eat anything now it’s much harder and we don’t have energy. So it’s a bit difficult for us.”
The hunger strike affects the health of the refugees, Hamza and Almousa notice that themselves. “We look weakened. We can’t talk very well anymore because we’re so tired and our muscles are tired too.” Hamza: “I am worried about that, but all we can do is a hunger strike.”