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Many lost what little they had in the fires in the Moria refugee camp. Photo: Gisle Oddstad
It is not bad, nor is it an expression of coldness, to want to receive 50 asylum seekers from Greece. Those who now demand that Norway accept 500 instead of 50 are not necessarily nicer than those who say no.
This is a leader. The leader expresses the attitude of VG. The political editor of VG is responsible for the leader.
Because the world is not that simple. And Norway’s refugee and asylum policy is not that simple. The overriding principle must always be the best way to help the majority of the tens of millions of people who are on the run. And also, how do we make sure that the people we receive in Norway are real refugees in need of protection.
The situation in Moria camp, which was initially desperate for thousands of people, has worsened in the last week. The commitment between Norwegians is naturally strong after what happened. Many will help. It’s good.
Syrian families with children
But there are many ways to help. Norway is among the countries that have done much to alleviate the situation in Greece. Both with money and with practical help. Part of the problem has been that the Greek authorities have not been able to properly process the applications of asylum seekers. Therefore, it has also been difficult to clarify who has the right to reside in a European country and who should be sent back to their country of origin.
We must be sure that those who come to Norway have a real need for protection. It is wrong to spend time and effort bringing people here from the Moria camp who later turn out to be unable to stay here. So it makes sense to set guidelines for the 50 that are now to come, as the government has done. Vulnerable families with children from Syria are said to be taken out of Greece in cooperation with the Greek authorities.
A pillar of Norwegian asylum and refugee policy is that we will accept the refugee quota through the UN system. Almost no country receives more refugees of this type than Norway. These are people who have a documented need for protection and who have often waited a long time to reach their new country of origin.
Everyone sets limits
Norway is also among those providing the most assistance to countries hosting refugees from their immediate areas. Like Lebanon, which provides shelter for around a million and a half people who have fled the Syrian civil war. The needs are enormous and the contributions of the international community too small. Here Norway can contribute even more than today.
No country in Europe can welcome everyone who wants to come here. All Norwegian politicians set limits, although in different numbers. Everyone, even those who want more, say no to millions of people fleeing oppression and anguish. So it should be. It is of the utmost importance then that the policy is based on predictability and fairness.
Prime Minister Erna Solberg is not naughty when she and her government say yes to accepting the removal of 50 refugees from Greece. On the contrary, she defends a line that allows Norway to contribute where it is most needed. And help the majority. Both now and in the long term.
