Journalism of Courage
Ghassan M K, 39, from Damascus, shows his back to hide his identity as he poses for a photograph at an asylum camp outside Stockholm. Ghassan paid smugglers 7023 euros to get him to Sweden via Lebanon using false identification documents. When asked about his future he said, "I've seen enough. The enforcement of law is gone in Syria. My main purpose coming here is to get my wife and children here. Even if I was to become prime minister, without my family I am nothing." Some 15 percent of Sweden's population is foreign born, the highest level in the Nordic region. Asylum seekers in particular are drawn by Sweden's robust economy and tradition of helping refugees. The country ranks fourth in the number of asylum seekers and second relative to its population out of 44 industrialised nations, according to U.N. Figures. (Source: Reuters)
Mebrahtu, a 37-year-old soldier from Eritrea, covers his face to hide his identity as he poses for a photograph at an asylum camp outside Stockholm. Mebrahtu travelled at night through the mountains to get to Ethiopia where he obtained false identity papers and flew to Sweden. He wanted to leave the military but was told he would be killed if he tried. When asked about his future he said, "I would like an education. When the plane landed I cried." (Source: Reuters)
Syrian migrant Assaf, 44, who was head of security for a government minister, covers his face to hide his identity as he poses for a photograph at an asylum camp outside Stockholm. Assaf paid smugglers 8000 euros to get to Sweden. He travelled through the mountains to Turkey and then from Turkey to Greece by boat with dozens of others. He then travelled to Stockholm in a truck. When asked about his future he said, "What future? I am in a foreign country with my family living in danger thousands of miles away. There is no future until they are here." (Source: Reuters)
Collins, 23, from Nigeria covers his face to hide his identity as he poses for a photograph at an asylum camp outside Stockholm. Collins was smuggled out of Nigeria by a local priest after he was tortured by police for being homosexual. When asked what his hopes for the future were Collins said, "I don't want to be gay. I am an orphan and have nobody so I need to get a wife and have children so I can have a family." (Source: Reuters)
Oamayma A, 42, a French language teacher from Syria, covers her face to hide her identity as she poses for a photograph at an asylum camp outside Stockholm. It took Oamayma nine months to reach Sweden via Turkey then Greece. She was cheated of 7000 euros but eventually obtained a false French passport for 2000 euros which she used to fly to Sweden. When asked about her future she said, "There is no safety at home. My main priority is to get my daughter here as I fear she will be raped." (Source: Reuters)
Monther B, 47, a lawyer from Syria, covers his face to hide his identity as he poses for a photograph at an asylum camp outside Stockholm. Monther paid smugglers 6452 euros to get him to Sweden via Egypt, Turkey and Greece, and then by plane with false identity papers. He left Syria after he witnessed a friend being murdered by opposition forces. He has left his wife and two children at home. When asked about his future he said, "There is no future at home. I want to get my family here and secure my children's education. They are in a very dangerous situation." (Source: Reuters)
