Betrayed by the system? - A critical research on the political focus on repatriation of Syrian refugees living in Denmark
Author
Monteiro, Filipe Holck Lucas Høj
Term
4. term
Education
Publication year
2021
Submitted on
2021-10-11
Pages
50
Abstract
This dissertation examines Denmark’s current political focus on repatriating Syrian refugees, set against Danish authorities’ assessment that Damascus is safe and contrasting reports from international organizations and other countries warning of ongoing abuses and instability. The study asks how this uncertainty shapes refugees’ daily lives, sense of safety, and motivation to participate in Danish society and progress in integration. It uses a qualitative design with in-depth interviews: preliminary conversations with refugees not at risk of return and a social worker, and four primary interviews with Syrian refugees facing possible return to Damascus. The analysis applies Maslow’s hierarchy of needs to understand how basic needs and motivation are prioritized under uncertainty, and securitization theory to illuminate how political speech and security framing influence public perceptions and refugees’ scope for action. Findings indicate that uncertainty about residence and safety makes it difficult to sustain everyday routines and take responsibility for integration. The analysis also identifies links between political statements in the media and how refugees are perceived by segments of the Danish population, which can undermine motivation to invest in society. Overall, participants emphasize the need for safety and take steps to increase their sense of security and secure opportunities for a more stable future, while the political emphasis on repatriation and its rhetoric contribute to demotivation.
Denne afhandling undersøger den aktuelle politiske fokus på hjemsendelse af syriske flygtninge i Danmark med udgangspunkt i, at danske myndigheder har vurderet Damaskus som sikkert, mens internationale organisationer og andre lande fortsat advarer om overgreb og ustabilitet. Formålet er at belyse, hvordan denne usikkerhed om fremtiden påvirker syriske flygtninges hverdag, deres følelse af sikkerhed samt deres motivation for at deltage i det danske samfund og deres integrationsforløb. Studien bygger på kvalitative, dybdegående interviews: indledende samtaler med flygtninge, der ikke står over for hjemsendelse, og en socialrådgiver, samt fire primære interviews med syriske flygtninge, der risikerer at blive sendt tilbage til Damaskus. Analysen anvender Maslows behovshierarki til at forstå, hvordan basale behov og motivation prioriteres under uvished, og securitization-teori til at belyse, hvordan politiske udsagn og en sikkerhedsgørende diskurs påvirker offentlighedens opfattelser og flygtningenes handlemuligheder. Resultaterne peger på, at usikkerhed om ophold og sikkerhed gør det svært at opretholde en stabil hverdag og tage ansvar for egen integration. Der ses sammenhænge mellem politiske udmeldinger i medierne og den måde, flygtninge bliver opfattet i befolkningen, hvilket kan svække motivationen for at investere i det danske samfund. Afslutningsvis fremhæver de interviewede behovet for sikkerhed og tager skridt for at øge deres tryghed og sikre muligheder for en mere stabil fremtid, mens den politiske hjemsendelsesfokus og tilhørende retorik bidrager til demotivation.
[This apstract has been generated with the help of AI directly from the project full text]