KIRKENES/MURMANSK (Sputnik) — Refugees are being deported to Russia on bikes, the way they previously crossed the border, as Norway now rejects asylum requests of those migrants, who can legally reside in Russia.
Back to Russia by Bikes
A refugee camp in Norway’s Kirkenes, which is bordering with Russia, has emptied to several dozen asylum-seekers from up to 500 migrants earlier this year. The refugee flow at the Norwegian-Russian border has also ceased due to Russian border guards’ effective work, as well as Norway’s stricter migration policy.
"Norway considers Russia a safe country, so those who have a visa or a residence permit in Russia will have to go back there," Department Director Anne Siri Rustad at the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) told RIA Novosti.
Offended by Norway
According to UDI, applications of some 600 asylum-seekers have been rejected in the past month and a half, the majority of which spoke very good Russian, as they had lived in Russia for some time before fleeing to Europe.
Numerous refugees from the Middle East are now stranded in Murmansk without money or connections, but with resentment at the country that destroyed their dreams for a more prosperous life.
"No one told us anything, explained anything. They came to the camp at night. They said ‘those who have a Russian visa or residence permit – we send everyone home," an Afghan man, who called himself Misha, said, taking offense.
Mirzam from Pakistan also regretted going to Norway and spending one month at a refugee camp.
"It was cold, we were given warm clothes. I didn’t like it, they said nothing and did nothing. They came at night and said that we were being taken away. I'm shocked," Mirzam complained.
The Pakistani refugee said that some 15 migrants are being deported to Russia daily.
"I am offended by Norway, they didn’t even spoke with us. Why did I spend a whole month there?" he argued.
Norway Ready to Receive 160 Refugees
Mayor of northern Norwegian city of Kirkenes, Rune Rafaelsen, is glad that the flow of refugees to Norway has ceased.
"This is due to a successful dialogue between Norway and Russia. As for our province, Sor-Varanger, we informed the authorities that we are ready to receive and host 160 refugees, mainly families, in 2015-2016. This is our contribution to the problem solving," the mayor said.
Now, Rafaelsen has to help these refugees to adapt to their new life in northern Norway, a less popular part of the country with cold climate, polar nights and unusual life conditions.
"We will teach them the language, find housing and a job, so that they will be full-fledged citizens. Since 1990, some 600 migrants came to Kirkenes, who lead normal lives, work in shops, cafes, schools, hospitals," the Norwegian mayor argued.
According to Rafaelsen, refugees arriving in the region greatly affect local economy and culture.
"I am proud of those who live in Kirkenes. There has never been any protests, any criticism against migrants. We must take care of those who come here as refugees."
According to UDI, some 5,500 asylum seekers have entered Norway using the so-called Northern route of migration.
Europe is currently facing a severe refugee crisis as hundreds of thousands of refugees from crisis-torn countries in North Africa and the Middle East attempt to arrive in more prosperous EU states, fleeing violence and poverty in their home countries.
