Refugees in Bergen
Bergen municipality today has a population of close to 300,000 inhabitants, of which 20% have an immigrant background. The proportion of immigrants with a refugee background is increasing. This means that an increasing number of Bergen’s citizens have sought protection from oppression and persecution in their home country.
Different groups of refugee’s experience that the oppression they have fled from does not end when they become settled in Norway. They are exposed to what we term transnational discrimination and oppression. These are various forms of discriminatory and oppressive practices exercised by states, diaspora organisations, kinship systems and religious networks linked to the homeland. Transnational discrimination and oppression can be a violation of basic human rights and lead to the experience of insecurity, psychological challenges, and social, career-related and financial limitations that prevent inclusion in Norwegian society.
Until now, the Norwegian authorities have generally shown little interest in this topic, and so far, no national measures and practices have been established to prevent and combat transnational discrimination and oppression. Bergen municipality will therefore establish a knowledge, dissemination and competence project to promote and disseminate knowledge about transnational discrimination and oppression that can contribute to the development and establishment of measures and practices to prevent and combat transnational discrimination and oppression.
Discrimination prevents integration
Refugees and immigrants who settle in Norway are expected to integrate into Norwegian society by learning Norwegian and qualifying for education and work. When refugees and immigrants are exposed to transnational discrimination and oppression, this can hinder their opportunities to adapt and become socially integrated.
Individuals and groups who are exposed to transnational discrimination and oppression may have an increased risk of developing mental health problems, being socially marginalized and experiencing alienation. They are also at risk of being ideologically radicalized when they experience that the oppression continues, and that the economic, social and emotional challenges of fleeing their homeland and resettlement in Norway do not provide freedom and protection as expected.
In meetings with the Norwegian authorities represented by, among others, PST, UDI, IMDi, local police and municipal services, several refugee groups express that they experience being met with little understanding that transnational discrimination and oppression occurs in Norway. They therefore also experience a lack of will to secure their basic human rights.
Diaspora
Refugees and immigrants in Norway form part of larger diasporas with other immigrants from their home countries and/or regions in other countries. Most diasporas are political and religious contested social communities where both discrimination and oppression are practiced on behalf of authorities and organizations in the home country and resistance to the authorities in the home country through organizations and networks. Persons and groups who experience a lack of will on the part of the Norwegian authorities to combat transnational discrimination and oppression may therefore be at risk of radicalization through diaspora organizations and networks with extreme attitudes and with the will to exercise undemocratic actions.
Different actors
Through dialogue with refugees and immigrants in Bergen and reference to international research, we see some prominent forms of transnational discrimination and oppression that present an increased risk of alienation and radicalization in vulnerable individuals and groups.
- Authorities in the home country: Persons and groups who are discriminated against and oppressed directly in Norway by the authorities in the home country.
- Diaspora organisations: Persons and groups who are discriminated against and oppressed by diaspora organizations in Norway with indirect connections to authorities in their home country.
- Kinship systems and ethnicity: Persons and groups who are discriminated against in Norway, by other persons and groups from the same home country or region, on the basis of their extended kinship affiliation and/or ethnicity.
- Religious networks: Persons and groups who are discriminated against directly and indirectly in Norway by religious, networks and organizations in Norway on the basis of “theological authority”, political ambitions in the diaspora and/or conflicts linked to the home country.
More knowledge and new practices
Bergen municipality is establishing a knowledge, dissemination and competence project from autumn 2024 to promote and disseminate knowledge about transnational discrimination and oppression in the public space which can contribute to the development and establishment of measures and practices to prevent and combat transnational discrimination and oppression.
In collaboration with a national network of researchers, practitioners and mediators who work with the theme, we are establishing a regular series of seminars at Bergen Public Library (also streamed on this website). Overview of seminars at Bergen Public Library . In addition to this series of seminars, we also offer lectures, teaching and guidance to educational institutions, public services and organisations. Contact for lectures, teaching and guidance.