Media release – Swiss asylum and refugee policy is often the subject of heated debate. The people at the center of the debate rarely get a chance to speak. The First Swiss Refugee Parliament wants to change this. The first Swiss refugee session will take place in Bern on June 6. Jeyani Thiyagaraja from Basel (picture from February 2021), Participant in a project for refugees at terre des hommes schweiz, is involved in the health committee of the refugee parliament. In the video, she explains what concerns she is taking with her to Bern.
“Normally, people in Switzerland talk about us refugees,” says Jeyani Thiyagaraja in the video in High German and English. “It’s important that we speak for ourselves when we talk to others about ourselves.”
On June 6, Basler from Sri Lanka will be one of over 70 refugees from 19 cantons and 15 countries around the world to take part in the first Swiss refugee session in Bern. Behind this is the First Swiss Refugee Parliament, an initiative of the National Coalition Building Institute (NCBI) Switzerland. terre des hommes schweiz supports the network organization, NCBI Switzerland.
“I hope that people in Switzerland will learn more about us and that Swiss politicians will discuss these important issues with us and stand up for them,” says Jeyani Thiyagaraja. “I hope that politicians in Switzerland will listen to our concerns and support them.”
Jeyani Thiyagaraja is a member of the Mental and Medical Health Commission of the First Refugee Parliament. “The refugee session is an important step in the right direction,” she says. “We have organized ourselves, which is a success.” “For me personally, it’s a success that I’m involved in the refugee parliament as a woman with a refugee background.”
Day structures and interpreting services
“I would like to share two topics from the health group with you,” says the Basel refugee parliamentarian from Sri Lanka. “Firstly, there is a need for daily structures for people in the asylum process and for people with a negative decision.” This also includes leisure activities such as community gardening or workshops in painting and drawing, she explains. “If refugees have no daily structure and have to sit in a camp or room, they can develop psychological problems. A daily structure can help prevent such problems.”
Regardless of their residence status, refugees in Switzerland should have the opportunity to participate voluntarily in activities that give them a daily structure and help them to overcome their social isolation.
Secondly, language support is needed for health clarifications, she says: “Everything that is relevant for refugees in the health sector must be translated if possible.” Jeyani Thiyagaraja: “For example, if I have a bad case of flu and I’m new in Switzerland, I need an interpreter. That’s the only way I know what health problems I have and what I can do about them.”
About Jeyani Thiyagaraja and the MePower project
Jeyani Thiyagaraja completed a bachelor’s degree in sociology in Sri Lanka and worked at an international research institute. She came to Switzerland alone and has had recognized refugee status for a year.
Jeyani Thiyagaraja is involved in the MePower project at terre des hommes schweiz for young people with a refugee background. This includes a monthly get-together for young migrants and two workshops lasting several days a year, during the summer vacations and between Christmas and New Year. “We all come from a different place and have our own values and ideas,” she says. “Nevertheless, I feel a huge amount of respect among us. MePower makes me more self-confident. I’ve made important friends and can develop my personality in a safe environment.”
“Encouraging women”
Jeyani Thiyagaraja, refugee parliamentarian from Basel, says: “I know that I can’t change the world on my own. But I want to use all my resources to stand up for social justice and encourage women in particular to voice their concerns. I want to continue to be courageous and, as a good role model, empower other people to say what is important to them.”
Left:
Video statement by Jeyani Thiyagaraja: https://youtu.be/uhAVN2kyyO0
MePower and the topic of migration at terre des hommes schweiz: https://terredeshommesschweiz.ch/migration
External links:
NCBI Switzerland: https://www.ncbi.ch/de/
Livestream refugee session: Sunday, June 6, 2021, from 1.30 p.m. on the Facebook page of NCBI Switzerland and via: https://diaspora-tv.ch
Information:
Refugee session: NCBI Switzerland, Ron Halbright, ncbiron@sunrise.ch, +41 76 490 10 50
Migration and the MePower project of terre des hommes schweiz: Sylvia Valentin, Development Policy Campaigns, sylvia.valentin@terredeshommes.ch, +41 79 663 06 72
Media contact:
Anna Wegelin, Media and Communications, +41 76 588 30 06, anna.wegelin@terredeshommes.ch
