Embraced, helped, distrusted, rejected – the refugees of 2015/16 have endured a vicious cycle of popular opinion. In Austria, young Afghans often carry the worst reputation. Nearly five years on, many are still in the asylum process while claims from other nationalities have long since been finalised. Meanwhile, the rejection rate for Afghan claims has almost doubled and Austria has begun deportations to Kabul. In the midst of this prolonged uncertainty, asylum seekers are expected to intergrate from Day 1.
Freelance journalist Lucy Ashton has been discussing with former unaccompanied minors from Afghanistan, their take on Europe, working to belonging and how they have changed since fleeing home. (Plus a few of their thoughts on Austrian food and fashion).
Lucy Ashton is a Milena Jesenská Visiting Fellow at the IWM and will be in conversation with Ayse Ceglar, IWM Fellow, a Migration specialist and Professor of Social and Cultural Anthropology at the University of Vienna.
