IndyMedia - Vrij Media Centrum Nederland

Wanneer: 31/01/2021 - 07:10

In another cynical and embarrrising ploy by NGO Because We Carry, their infamous ingnorance shined through when dared present several people inside the camp with the following questionaire. The fact that these options are presented as "choices" in the form of a questionare would be utterly embarrasing if it was not so cynical.

Granted, people involved with Because We Carry have said certain things that show how out of touch the organisation is with the people, the camp itself and any form of political opinion or awareness whatsoever. But this shows us a complete uncensored picture of the attitude of Because We Carry, their structure and the Europeans who chose to work or volunteer with them.

"We are really interested in your idea's."

What is needed for the woman and men in the RIC? People are able to choose from a list of things in which litteraly everything should be considered a fundamental element for a dignified life. Yet the instructions on top of the list cleary show it is only allowed to choose 4 things. How should one choose, even hypothatically, between fighting a rat infestation or having a warmer tent? Or, education for kids or better quality food? The other options on the paper are not any better ( shower for woman or a place to relax? Pheraps a place to do laundry OR a place to dance) and I will not waste any time talking about what food people would like to get IF they could get it.

"What is most needed/needs to change in the camp?"

Everything. Everything needs to change. For starters, these all of the conditions mentioned on the forms are part of what the pandemic showed the whole world are the basic material ( better food, hygiene) and social needs ( communal space, a space to dance and relax) for human beings in general. To present these basic elements as choices is an act of disdain and contempt. It's a vile visualisation of the structural inhumane treament organisations like Because We Carry reproduce on a daily basis by reinforcing the cynical "humanitarian" hierarchies that enable the stagnation of the desperate and cruel situation of the people inside Moria 2.0. Organisations like this consent to working in a Camp where it's illegal for both the people being held there and the volunteers to share pictures or movies from the inside on the threat of a heavy fine. Organisations like this consent to not only work in a prison, but structurally support it. Food, shelter, personal hygiene and self determination should not be a privilege, and neither should they be part of the purposefully vague concept of "human rights" that only seem to matter when the authorities in question allow it to matter. Another perfect example of the infamous neo-colonial Dutch mentality that contributed to inequality and suffering for several hundreds years. And it is exactly the mentality that keeps people fleeing from war and economical suffering in abismal camps.