Fleeing war and political instability, thousands of Afghans find refuge in neighbouring countries but also in Europe, especially in France where they hope to have a better life. Read their stories.
Since January 2010, Habibollah Hakimi, a former Afghan refugee from the centre of Sangatte, has opened his restaurant in Boulogne-sur-Mer (Pas-de-Calais), Kabouli. Arrived in France in 2002 at the age of sixteen, he spent several weeks in the centre of La Croix Rouge before being placed in foster care. Naturalized French, he even decided to call himself Nicolas. He regularly returns to Cazin High School where he obtained a CAP to see his teachers, proud of their former student. The young restaurateur recalls his journey through Iran, Turkey and Italy and talks about his family that he was able to see again last year. Interview with Sophie Leborgne, professor of biotechnology at Lycée Cazin.
Institute, Fatkhia, an Afghan political refugee in France, testifies to the deterioration of the living conditions of women and the violence suffered in her country since the arrival of the Taliban in 1996. Interview with Choukria Haïdar, president of the Negar association.
In Rennes (Ille-et-Vilaine), about forty mostly Afghan refugees created the Rennes cricket club. Interviews of players on their sport but also on their course to arrive in France.
In Poitiers (Vienna), Shoukria Haïdar, an Afghan refugee who arrived in France sixteen years ago, testifies to the condition of women in his country since the Taliban took power. To support her compatriots, she and others created the Negar Association, notably to create clandestine classes in Kabul.
After the attacks of September 11, 2001 in the United States, in France in the reception centre of the Red Cross in Sangatte (Pas-de-Calais), two young Afghan refugees out of the seven hundred in transit for a smuggling to the Grande-CalaisBrittany, wonder and worry about the possible repercussions on their country; American replicas directed against the Taliban, but their compatriots would risk being victims.
Afghan refugees from the humanitarian emergency shelter and reception centre in Sangatte (Pas-de-Calais) are reacting to the decision by the French and British interior ministers to close the camp before spring 2003. Refugee cases will be examined, with possible repatriations carried out voluntarily or by force. Two young men, Kapava and then Favic, say they are worried about this announcement and the prospect of returning to their country. An older refugee, Abdullah, is considering seeking political asylum in other countries.
In France, more and more young undocumented exiles are being collected and supported, especially from Afghanistan. Meeting with minor refugees hosted by the association Enfants du Monde - Droits de l'Homme (EMDH), in the emergency shelter in the Kremlin-Bicêtre (Val-de-Marne). Interview with Dominique ABYARIMANE, Deputy Education Officer, and testimony of Ahmid, an Afghan teenager from Kundunz, who explains his journey to France.
Homeless Afghan refugees have settled in the Gare de l'Est district of Paris in recent months. Among them, some 60 adolescents were taken in charge in a temporary shelter for isolated foreign minors. Two young refugees testify to the difficulties encountered when they arrived in France and the catastrophic situation in their country. Interviews with Eric Pliez, from the Aurore association, who explains the process of integration of young exiles, then Anne Hidalgo, first deputy mayor of Paris (PS), who reacts to a statement by Frédéric Lefebvre.
Evelyne is a member of the association "Welcome Var" which helps and welcomes refugees. She is staying at home with her family, a young Afghan refugee who fled the Taliban.
About two hundred Afghan asylum seekers have just been evacuated from the banks of the Saint-Martin Canal, which they had occupied for several months. Alternation of factual and archival images with the testimony of a poor migrant facing their dramatic situation and the interview of Julien Pierre Henry, director general of the association France Terre d'asile, about the evacuation conditions that were previously negotiated.
Combats aériens dans le ciel de Pfaffenhoffen, en Alsace, mais combats de... cerfs-volants. C'est en effet une tradition à Kaboul, tradition que les Afghans d'Alsace entendent perpétuer ici. Ils en ont eu l'occasion pour leur rassemblement annuel à la ferme des Carrières, alors que les talibans ont interdit là-bas ce loisir dans les zones qu'ils contrôlent... Témoignages de pratiquants, de Mohammad Zahir (président de l'Association culturelle des Afghans de Strasbourg), de spectateurs locaux, et de Dorah Husselstein (enseignante à la retraite).
Aerial fights in the sky of Pfaffenhoffen, in Alsace, but fights of... kites. It is indeed a tradition in Kabul, a tradition that the Afghans of Alsace intend to perpetuate here. They had the opportunity for their annual gathering at the Quarry Farm, when the Taliban banned that recreation there in the areas they control.... Commentary on factual images, testimonies of practitioners, Mohammad ZAHIR (president of the Association culturelle des Afghans de Strasbourg), local spectators, and Dorah HUSSELSTEIN (retired teacher).
A l'occasion du Festival de Cerfs-Volants de Nancy, interview de "Nasser Volant", cervoliste afghan, né à Kaboul, dans un pays où la pratique du cerf-volant est un vrai sport national, les habitants se livrant à des combats de cerfs-volants (sic) des toits des maisons.