Scandal in Wismar: Haffburg” refugee accommodation under fire!

Scandal in Wismar: Haffburg” refugee accommodation under fire!

In a recently published press release, the Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania Refugee Council Massive allegations were made against the “Haffburg” shared accommodation in Wismar. According to criticism, this would practice an “inhumane system of sanctions”. The focus is particularly on reports from residents who report arbitrary placement in a so-called “punishment area” for rule violations. The district of Northwest Mecklenburg, which is responsible for this facility, has firmly rejected the allegations and says they are unfounded.

The “Haffburg” accommodation has been in operation since 1994 and offers space for 340 people from different countries of origin such as Afghanistan, Syria, Türkiye, Iraq and the Russian Federation. According to the administration, the treatment at the facility is carefully examined and the need for a sensitive approach in a multicultural environment is emphasized. In one specific incident, a resident was moved to a separate living area with sanitary facilities and cooking facilities due to alleged failure to comply with cleaning schedules, with access possible at any time. The cleaning plans should also be designed flexibly if there are legitimate reasons.

Accusations from the Refugee Council

The District However, he is not alone in his perspective. The Refugee Council speaks of extremely worrying conditions in the penal area of ​​the facility. Residents are accommodated there, among other things, in rooms without lockable cupboards, refrigerators or cooking facilities. Those affected also describe that access to the actual accommodation is denied during the punitive measure. These measures are implemented by employees of a private security service, which increases concerns about the professional qualifications of the carers. According to reports, a former caretaker is even said to be a social worker.

In order to do justice to the living conditions of asylum seekers, it is, in the opinion of the German Institute for Human Rights important to comply with human rights standards. Many asylum seekers spend years in initial reception centers and shared accommodation, where there is often a lack of space and privacy. According to the Refugee Council, the European reception conditions, which, among other things, require basic medical care and access to education, do not appear to be adhered to in Haffburg.

The path to improvement

The demands of the Refugee Council are clear: an immediate review of the current situation and clarification of the incidents must be on the agenda. There is also a call for the sanction system to be abolished in order to ensure adequate and humane accommodation. It remains to be seen whether the Northwest Mecklenburg district will respond to these calls and what measures will be taken to improve living conditions in the “Haffburg”.