a-films

report: "refugees remain sceptical of nahr al-bared reconstruction"

2009-11-25T19:00:00.003+01:00

[de]
more than two years after their refugee camp was destroyed in a war between the lebanese army and the islamist militant group fatah al-islam, nahr al-bared refugees wednesday witnessed the start of the camp’s reconstruction. their relief is mixed with scepticism, however. (...) [read more]

image: popular art in nahr al-bared camp

2009-11-09T17:00:00.008+01:00

[عر] [de] [es] [it]
a few days ago, two displaced residents of the destroyed nahr al-bared refugee camp in north lebanon expressed their perception of the reconstruction process on a local wall...

report: "undocumented migrants run their own school"

2009-10-13T14:00:00.009+02:00

switzerland is a tough place for asylum-seekers and undocumented migrants. in zurich, they have been running a remarkable campaign for the past year, challenging the canton's asylum policy. now, they have opened their own school. (...) [read more]

report: "nahr al-bared reconstruction delays protested"

2009-10-01T19:00:00.003+02:00

since the end of august, construction equipment in the palestinian refugee camp of nahr al-bared, near the northern lebanese city of tripoli, has stood unused after the lebanese state council granted a two month moratorium for the reconstruction of the camp. nahr al-bared, home to approximately 30,000 refugees, was destroyed during a three-month-long battle between the lebanese army and the militant group fatah al-islam in the summer of 2007. (...) [read more]

report: "nahr al-bared's reconstruction in limbo"

2009-09-23T19:00:00.004+02:00

[de] [it] [fr]
since the end of august, construction machines in the palestinian refugee camp nahr al-bared are resting. the lebanese state council granted a two month moratorium for the reconstruction of the destroyed camp. (...) [read more]

report: "shattered camp revives under military eyes"

2009-08-25T17:00:00.001+02:00

palestinian refugees at nahr al-bared in north lebanon are living under tight military siege two years after a war destroyed the refugee camp. it has now become a test case for a new approach in lebanon's security policy towards palestinian refugee camps. (...) [read more]

video: "two years under siege"

2009-06-24T10:00:00.001+02:00

[عر] [de] [it] [fr]
two years after the outbreak of the war in nahr al-bared, the camp's fate remains unclear. the reconstruction of the official camp might start soon, but the army keeps its tight grip on the camp. several checkpoints, barbed wire and military posts cut nahr al-bared off from its surroundings.

nahr al-bared camp used to be a thriving marketplace in the northern lebanese region of akkar and about half its costumers were lebanese. during the war, the lebanese army has not only defeated the militant group fatah al-islam, but also completely destroyed the refugee camp. its businesses were looted, smashed and burnt, even after the war had ended. the camp's once flourishing economy was physically eliminated.

two years later, about half the camp's population has returned to its adjacent area. hundreds of businesses have re-opened, but economic recovery is seriously hampered by the tight siege imposed by the lebanese army. thus, suspicions have risen that the war's actual target wasn't fatah al-islam, but nahr al-bared's economic life.

in this 10-minute film, the co-owner of an ice cream factory, the president of the local trader's committee and the imam of the al-quds mosque speak out on the siege and its economic consequences.

the film can be downloaded here (.mpeg/316mb) and here (.mov/124mb) in good quality. it can be watched here on youtube or below.

report: "the forgotten prime areas"

2009-06-15T21:00:00.004+02:00

[de] [fr]
the three-month-long war between the lebanese army and fatah al-islam militants in the palestinian refugee camp of nahr al-bared in northern lebanon ended on 2 september 2007. while the lebanese army has allowed displaced residents to return to some parts of the camp, the fate of other parts of the camp still under the army's control remains unclear. (...) [read more]

video: "a sip of coffee"

2009-06-11T10:00:00.008+02:00

[عر] [de] [it] [fr] [tr]
in may 2007, the battle between fatah al-islam and the lebanese army broke out in nahr al-bared refugee camp in northern lebanon. amidst heavy fighting, the lebanese army had systematically destroyed the entire camp by september 2007. two years later, nearly all the rubble has been cleared from the "old camp", the core of nahr al-bared. however, though the displaced residents grow increasingly desperate, reconstruction has yet to begin.

not only does the lebanese army keep people away from the old camp, but it also controls movement in and out of the surrounding area known as the "new camp.” anyone entering the new camp requires a valid permit issued by the army. refugees and NGOs working to revitalize the once robust economy of the camp face crippling isolation, as the marketplace of nahr al-bared is totally cut off from the surrounding villages. a flailing economy and soaring unemployment are only a few of the consequences of the destruction and ongoing siege of the camp.

this 26-minute film follows a father and his son as they attempt to deal with their unemployment. the two have been living in metal barracks for more than a year, waiting to return to their camp. by documenting issues of reconstruction, temporary housing, economy, unemployment and despair, the film touches on the daily experience of life in nahr al-bared camp.

the film can be downloaded here (.mpeg/804mb) and here (.mov/313mb) in good quality. it can be watched here (part 1/2/3) on youtube or below.

part 1:

part 2:

part 3:

report: "no work in nahr al-bared"

2009-05-24T19:00:00.003+02:00

[de] [it] [fr]
mohammad and mahmoud sat on an idle field on the edge of the palestinian refugee camp of nahr al-bared in northern lebanon. while mahmoud sang to the songs being played on his mobile phone, mohammad used his for gaming. mohammad looked up and explained, "we spend our days doing nothing. we get up and sit at the cafe for a few hours. then we go home and pray. we gather again and return to the cafe. there we sit until the evening. every day passes like this." (...) [read more]

video: "protest against barracks"

2009-05-18T23:00:00.006+02:00

[عر] [de] [es] [fr]
on 15 may 2009, several hundred residents of the destroyed nahr al-bared refugee camp in north lebanon gathered at the al-quds mosque to march along the army posts to a construction site in the south of the camp. there, yet another piece of land was flattened and the building of the fifth unit of temporary shelters for displaced families is being prepared.

in their chants, the protesters demanded the return to the old camp and the end of the siege on nahr al-bared and the abolishment of the permit system respectively. abu tayyeb of the residents' committee demanded the immediate stop of the building of the new barracks as long as the reconstruction in the old camp wouldn't start. he further criticized corruption and nepotism in the reconstruction process and asked why the rebuilding of the old camp is constantly being delayed. he hinted at intentions to actually not rebuild the camp and told the crowd: „the laying of the foundation stone on 9 march was nothing but a lie!“

the 2-minute video can currently only be watched here on youtube or below.

report: "growing resentment in nahr al-bared"

2009-05-17T19:00:00.007+02:00

[de] [it] [fr]
about two years ago, a battle broke out between the lebanese army and the militant group fatah al-islam in the palestinian refugee camp of nahr al-bared in northern lebanon. the summer-long battle concluded in september 2007 and the camp was totally destroyed - the rubble indicating that the destruction was systematic, most likely committed by the lebanese army. after several delays, the UN-mandated core of the camp, the so-called "old camp," has meanwhile been cleared of approximately 600,000 meters of rubble. yet, reconstruction hasn't begun and residents are still unable to enter the old camp, the access of which is controlled by the lebanese army, and displaced refugees are increasingly resentful. (...) [read more]

video: "sans-papiers protest for identity papers"

2009-04-08T23:00:00.004+02:00

[de]
on tuesday, 7 april 2009, more than 100 undocumented migrants and supporters marched from the refugee café "refugees welcome" to the department of social affairs and the department of migration of the canton of zurich. they demanded valid identity papers and protested against their identity cards being taken away.

at both offices, the refugees left a letter of protest, in which they demanded official identity cards. some of the sans-papiers only have a small paper issued by their emergency centers. however, these papers won't protect them from police repression. also, they can't get certain items at the post office or borrow books in libraries with this paper.

the protesters pointed out that since the occupation of a church in winter 2008/09, systematic police controls in and around emergency centers have increased. after the occupation, the department of migration of zurich forbid the emergency centers to issue provisional identity papers. especially refugees, who have to move from one center to another every week were stripped of their identity papers.

the undocumented migrants argued, that this way they're deliberately subjected to repression. they protested against their attrition and criminalization by the authorities. neither at the department of social affairs nor at the department of migration, the responsible officials appeared to receive the letter.

the 10-minute film documents the demonstration and refugees explain the context of their protest.
it can be downloaded here (.mpeg/329mb) and here (.mov/121mb). also, it can be watched here on youtube or below.

video: "right to stay now!"

2009-03-10T17:00:00.001+01:00

[de] [es] [it] [fr]
on 19 december 2008, around 150 undocumented migrants and solidarity activists occupied the prediger church in zurich (switzerland) for more than two weeks. the squatters demanded a just implementation of the hardship provision, the abolition of the prohibition of work and the legalization of the status of all undocumented migrants.

in 2007 and 2008, several stricter laws regarding asylum and foreigners have been implemented in switzerland. there's no social aid for rejected asylum seekers anymore and the concerned persons are only entitled to receive emergency assistance. its procedure, quantity and form is up to the cantons. the canton of zurich forces people to live on only 60 swiss francs (us$ 52) per week in coupons for the supermarket chain migros. some migrants are even forced to change their accommodation (emergency shelters) weekly.

zurich is also very strict in the implementation of the so-called hardship policy. the provision for cases of hardship allows undocumented migrants, who have lived in switzerland for at least five years and have "integrated very well" to file a request for a residency permit. after checking these requests, cantonal migration authorities forward them to the federal office for migration (FOM). the canton of zurich, however, puts extremely difficult conditions and hasn't forwarded a single request to the FOM in 2008.

activists of the bleiberecht (right to stay for all) campaign have already occupied a church in zurich in 2007. during the last year, further protests and activities were organized. however, zurich's asylum policy hasn't improved and in winter 2008, many people regarded a determined action as necessary in order to push their demands forward.

the film documents the occupation of the church. undocumented migrants and activists of the bleiberecht collective explain the current problems, their demands and further aspects of the occupation in detail. they tell about the talks with the department of migration of zurich and evaluate the political results.

the 30-minute film was produced by several video activists with a-films, bleiberecht bern, bleiberecht zürich and solidarité sans frontières.
it can be downloaded here (.mpeg/706mb) and here (.mov/356mb). also, it can be watched (part 1/2/3) on youtube or below.

part 1:

part 2:

part 3:

video: "press conference at the squatted church"

2009-01-11T21:00:00.009+01:00

[de] [fr]
on 29 december 2008, the squatters of the "prediger" church in zurich, switzerland, invited the media to a press conference. several delegates of the sans-papiers talked about their precarious situation in the canton zurich and explained their political demands.

the 9-minute film contains selections of the press conference. it can be downloaded here (.mpeg/302mb) and here (.mov/111mb). also, it can be watched here on youtube or below.

more information about the squatted church can be found on the website of the bleiberecht-kollektiv zürich.

video: "voices from the church st. jakob"

2009-01-07T06:00:00.006+01:00

[de] [fr]
on sunday, 4 january, the squatters left the "prediger" church in zurich and accepted an invitation by the church "st. jakob". by moving to this church, the preconditions for a talk set by the government official hollenstein were fulfilled. on monday, 5 january, mr. hollenstein received a delegation of sans-papiers for a talk.

in the short film, two migrants share their disappointment about the poor outcomes of the talk, once again explain their problematic situation and talk about what should happen next.

the 8-minute film can be downloaded here (.mpeg/249mb) and here (.mov/93mb). also, it can be watched here on youtube or below.

more information about the squatted church can be found on the website of the bleiberecht-kollektiv zürich.

video: "demonstration 'right to stay for all'"

2009-01-05T01:30:00.010+01:00

[de] [es] [fr]
on 3 january 2009, around 2000 people protested along with the squatters of the church against the asylum policy of switzerland ans specifically of the canton zurich.

the short film provides some impressions from the march.

the 3-minute video can be downloaded here (.mpeg/103mb) and here (.mov/38mb). also, it can be watched here on youtube or below.

more information about the squatted church can be found on the website of the bleiberecht-kollektiv zürich.

video: "voices from the squatted church (3)"

2009-01-04T00:00:00.011+01:00

[de] [fr]
before saturday's demonstration and the upcoming resettlement to the church st. jakob on sunday, the squatters of the "prediger" church in zurich are still committed to their struggle. meanwhile, pressure from the media and the church increases and calls for the refugees to leave get louder.

in the short film, three migrants from guinea-bissau, iran and iraq and an activist of the local support committee talk about the current situation and problems and offer an insight to their mechanisms of collective organization.

the 10-minute film can be downloaded here (.mpeg/322mb) and here (.mov/126mb). also, it can be watched here on youtube or below.

more information about the squatted church can be found on the website of the bleiberecht-kollektiv zürich.

video: "voices from the squatted church (2)"

2009-01-01T18:00:00.006+01:00

[de] [fr]
13 days after squatting the "prediger" church in zurich, switzerland, spirits are high and the sans-papiers and activists are still determined to continue their struggle for a right to stay and a dignified, self-controlled life for all. the squatters insist on their demands. they are not willing to leave the church as long as there are no concrete measures taken up by the authorities to solve their problems.

in the short film, two migrants, an activist of the support committee and a solidary priest talk about squatting the church and the political demands of the squatters.

the 10-minute film can be downloaded here (.mpeg/317mb) and here (.mov/118mb). also, it can be watched here on youtube or below.

more information about the squatted church can be found on the website of the bleiberecht-kollektiv zürich.

video: "voices from the squatted church (1)"

2008-12-30T17:00:00.014+01:00

[de] [it] [fr]
on friday, 19 december 2008, around 150 sans-papiers and solidarity activists squatted the "prediger" church in zurich, switzerland. they are fighting for a right to stay for all and a life in independence and dignity. the squatters demand from the canton zurich documents for everyone, the abolition of the prohibition of work and the implementation of the hardship provision.

in the short film, three migrants speak about their action, problems and hopes.

the 10-minute film can be downloaded here (.mpeg/322mb) and here (.mov/120mb). also, it can be watched here on youtube or below.

more information about the squatted church can be found on the website of the bleiberecht-kollektiv zürich.

video: "transitions"

2008-11-05T14:00:00.010+01:00

[عر] [de] [es] [it] [fr]
more than a year after their homes were destroyed during the battle between the lebanese army and the militant islamist group fatah al-islam, the majority of the refugees from nahr al-bared in north lebanon find themselves in a difficult situation. not able to return to their homes, stuck in pre-fabricated housing units and often unemployed, many of them feel frustrated and hopeless, only sometimes seeing a glimmer of hope.

being subjected to aid organizations and external political decisions, many refugees have started to critizice the humanitarization of their political problem and voice opposition to the politics of humanitarian aid.

this short film, produced in october 2008, documents the experiences and thoughts of several young residents of nahr al-bared camp, as they talk about current developments in the camp and about their personal situation.
the film can be downloaded here (.mpeg/594mb) and here (.mov/226mb) in good quality. it can be watched here (part 1/2) on youtube or below.

part 1:

part 2:

report: "uncertainty clouds nahr al-bared's future"

2008-10-23T21:00:00.001+02:00

[de]
one year has passed since the first palestinians were allowed to return to the outskirts of the nahr al-bared refugee camp, destroyed by the lebanese army during three months of fighting in the summer of 2007 with fatah al-islam, a small islamist militant group. meanwhile, up to 15,000 people have resettled in the camp. many of them are still waiting to freely access their destroyed homes, as the lebanese army still exclusively controls the "old camp" in the core of nahr al-bared, as well as parts of the "new camp" on the outskirts. (...) [read more]

video: "between past and present"

2008-10-15T19:00:00.009+02:00

[عر] [de] [es] [it] [fr]
one year has passed since the first palestinians were allowed to return to the outskirts of the destroyed nahr al-bared refugee camp, to the so-called "new camp". meanwhile, up to 15.000 people have resettled there, many of them waiting to access their destroyed homes in the "old camp", the core of what used to be nahr al-bared camp. the lebanese army still exclusively controls the old camp as well as parts of the new camp.

nahr al-bared camp used to be an economic center in the north of trablous. although the first shops and companies have reopened in nahr al-bared, they struggle with difficult economic conditions such as the siege of the camp.

this 16-minute film was produced in a small workshop in the camp. it deals with the current developments in nahr al-bared, focusing on economic aspects and on reconstruction.
the film can be downloaded here (.mpeg/537mb) and here (.mov/246mb) in good quality. it can be watched here (part 1/2) on youtube or below.

part 1:

part 2:

report: "picking oranges the palestinian way"

2008-10-14T19:00:00.002+02:00

[de] [it]
the sun has yet to rise at an orange plantation in the hinterland of the southern lebanese city of tyre. muhammad has just transferred ten buckets of oranges into black plastic boxes at the edge of the orange grove. after carrying the empty buckets back to the other workers, he says: "after this work i return home, rest for an hour and leave for my second job as a decorator. harvesting oranges alone doesn't feed my family." (...) [read more]

video: "harvesting oranges"

2008-10-14T18:00:00.018+02:00

[عر] [de] [es] [it] [fr] [tr]
early in the morning, between 5 and 6am, a wave of footsteps and whispering voices can be heard in the narrow alleys of bourj ash-shamali refugee camp in south lebanon. it is in the darkness of the early morning hours that hundreds of palestinian day laborers leave their homes, gather in the streets and then head to their work in the fields and plantations of the region. more than two-thirds of the camp's labor force work at least part-time in agriculture.

lebanese law treats the more than 400,000 palestinian refugees in the country as foreigners. therefore they are not allowed to own land, they are forbidden to work in dozens of jobs, they aren't guaranteed a minimum wage and they aren't integrated into the lebanese social and medical insurance system. these various forms of exclusion make them vulnerable and exploitable in many ways.

this 17-minute film is the result of a video workshop in bourj ash-shamali camp. it deals with various aspects of the work and life of palestinian day laborers in the plantations of south lebanon.
the film can be downloaded here (.mpeg/559mb) and here (.mov/231mb) in good quality. also, it can be watched here (part 1/2) on youtube or below.

part 1:

part 2: