Your freedom or mine?

Western democracies are fond of talking about freedom.

But what does it really mean to be free?

It was this question that came to mind while reading the New Statesman, “North Korea: survival means slavery” Women desperate to leave North Korea would risk an arranged marriage in China rather than stay and face starvation. A fairly obvious choice, I thought. But the journalist covering this story thought otherwise.

For her, these women lacked the freedom to choose and were therefore to be pitied. But surely being free is just a matter of perspective?

In taking the decision to flee North Korea for China these women were exercising their freedom to choose. They chose to live rather than to die. For many, their lives in China will be tough. The Chinese government still considers all North Koreans illegal immigrants and will not grant them asylum. They will live in constant fear of being deported but within their daily lives they may be able to experience a degree of freedom that they would not have had in North Korea.

Different cultures and countries have alternative views on what freedom means. And it seems that people from the West feel they have the right to impose their ideas of freedom upon others. We pride ourselves on our democratic governments and freedom of speech. And I do not doubt that we enjoy a degree of freedom that other countries do not. But is it possible that we have deluded ourselves over the true meaning of freedom? We are led to believe that we can do and say as we like but the reality is far from this.

If freedom for one person is accepting the consequences of a difficult decision then who are we to say otherwise?

From Bagdad to Stockholm

Why can’t more countries be like Sweden? Not only does it view immigration positively but it even rolls out the welcome mat.

Since the crisis in Iraq began, Sweden has become the destination of choice for many Iraqi refugees. And their arrival has swept aside the media’s stereotypical image of how a refugee should be. As Time Magazine “Comfort in a cold place” highlights it is not only the poor who flee persecution, it is also the wealthy.

But why is Sweden so keen to take in people when other countries can’t push them away fast enough?

The sceptic in me assumes that Sweden only welcomes people from the professional classes. Reaching Stockholm from Bagdad takes good connections and more importantly a lot of money. The arrival of doctors, engineers and translators must benefit Swedish society. Would the country be so generous to an influx of unskilled workers? I suspect not. But as long as people find asylum does it really matter?

It was heart warming to read an article that showed how easily migrants can be assimilated into a country. Sweden’s willingness to open its boarders is an example that other countries should follow. But on this issue Sweden sadly stands alone.

The United States has closed its boarders to Iraqis, citing them a security risk. Yet many of those fleeing persecution do so because they work for US agencies in Iraq. Those Iraqis encouraged to rebuild their country under US supervision are abandoned by the United States at a time when they are needed most. What they require is protection and a safe place to live until returning home.

Without its middle class, the future of Iraq looks very bleak indeed.

The fine art of apologising

Saying sorry is a complicated business, especially for the police.

Last week’s article in the Financial Times “Met must apologise for terror raid” reported on a conclusion drawn by the police watchdog inquiry that those police involved in last year’s mistaken anti terrorist raids should stand up and say sorry.

But can such a small word make such a big difference?

At first glance, yes it can.

British Muslims are angry and rightly so. Bush and Blair’s war on terror is terrorising their community. At a time of heightened tensions between police and Muslims, saying sorry could be the first step on the road to reconciliation. An apology would show the Muslim community that they are not as isolated as they feel and could go some way to restoring faith in a system they feel has failed them.

But the problem with making a successful apology is that you have to mean it, or be good at bluffing. Being told to apologise does not lend itself to sincerity. It will only make British Muslims more suspicious and less likely to trust the police.

Therefore, two things are needed.

Firstly, a little bit of cultural education. The killing of a Brazilian man, believed to be a terror suspect by armed police, after the London bombings of 2005 is a good example of where applying a stereotype does not work. The police need to learn that having a beard and a backpack makes you neither a Muslim nor a terror suspect.

Secondly, both sides should try some good old-fashioned talking. Communication is a wonderful remedy for ignorance.

With these measures, next time the police make a mistake the Muslim community might not have to wait so long for an apology.

More than mischievous meddling

Slavic ties run deep

Change is afoot in south east Europe. The final stage in the break up of the former Yugoslavia is underway. This week Martti Ahtisaari, the UN special envoy for Kosovo presented his plan for the province's future. And unsurprisingly not everyone is happy with the idea

Russia has been kicking up a fuss. Indeed, last week's issue of The Economist "On the road to independence", flippantly noted Russia's "mischievous" intentions to upset the UN apple cart. The question is why? As usual, judging Russia's motives is more complicated than first appears.

One thing is certain; Russia's behavior is anything but mischievous, especially when it comes to Russian-Serbian relations.

A major factor for Russian interference is that the two countries have a lot in common. They share both a Slavic language and a belief in Orthodoxy. More importantly they feel they have suffered at the hand of persecution. A passion for story telling has engrained a modern day distrust of both East and West. Folk tales recounting battles lost and won serve as a reminder to both Serbia and Russia that they fight alone. United they stand holding the front line between what was once the Hapsburg and Ottoman Empires.

History aside, Russia's actions are not just about maintaining Slavic brotherly love. In threatening to veto the UN resolution on Kosovo, Russia has its own interests at heart. The country is stepping up investment in the area. Rosneff, a Russian oil company, recently set up shop in Serbia. And with eventual plans to bring Serbia into the EU, Russia wants to keep its hand in.

Mischievous or not, by siding with Serbia, Russia is sending a reminder to the West that it is not to be messed with.

Doing it the Spanish way

Spain is not what it seems. Sun and lazy afternoons aside, getting things done proves notoriously difficult.

From ordering coffee to getting paid the Spanish emphasis is on slow. While Spanish and EU citizens in Spain grumble about the culture's tardy nature, non EU residents have much more to complain about.

Economic growth and some argue a more liberal government have come hand in hand with a huge jump in immigration. And for those who have just arrived, the journey through Spanish bureaucracy is just about to begin.

Alongside the estacion de francia in Barcelona is a government building dealing with immigration. Queues start before sunrise and carry on until the office closes for lunch. It is a typical two hour wait in the street before entering the building. Once inside, you can expect to hang around another couple of hours. Some are waiting to make appointments, others have appointments but may need to stamp a document. Most will need to return within a few months to renew papers.

The problem not only lies with Spain's fondness for manana, but in its inexperience of dealing with immigration. The immigration service lacks a sound organisational structure and is hindered at every turn by red tape. With last years riots in France still on their minds, the Spanish population is wary of what the future holds. Successful integration relies on the government's ability to equip new arrivals with the tools they need to feel at home in Spanish society.

Negative points aside, there is one positive thing to be said about the Spanish immigration system, it does not discriminate. Non EU means non EU. And behind a Latin American or African you are likely to find the occasional disgruntled Swiss.