Description
Object description
A look at the process of repatriation for Bosnian refugees living in Denmark, focusing on Abdullah's story.
Content description
Abdullah Zelić packs a bag with clothes and says that although he is grateful to the Danes for housing him in this centre, his only wish is to go home to his wife and home in Zenica. He says that he feels lost and cannot believe that he is going to see his wife and children again. Interview with Ana Dorthe Helmich, from the Danish Refugee Council, who says in the spring of 1994 hundreds of refugees started asking to go home and in response the Refugee Council began to make arrangements for their return. She says that the refugees must come here for advice before they leave.
Footage of the refugee centre and children playing outside. Footage of meeting between fifteen refugees and the Danish Refugee Council. An official briefs the refugees on the general situation in Bosnia, warning them that there is no internationally recognised peace treaty as yet and what to expect on their trip back. He says that the Danes can only accompany them to the last safe point, which they have decided is Split, and after that, they are on their own. He warns the men that there is a high chance that they will be drafted into the army.
These men and women then have a private counselling session to help them prepare mentally for the journey. Ana Dorther Helmich says that refugees feel guilty for staying away from Bosnia during the war and they also want to participate in the rebuilding efforts. Footage of private councelling with a husband and wife, who fortunately have the correct documents and who say that they know that their house is undamaged. For them, the most important objective is to be reunited with children.
Footage of Abdullah relaxing with his friends on the night before he leaves. Ana Dorthe Helmich says that the responsibility of the Refugee Council should be more that escorting the refugees to the Danish border. So they offer the refugees a "certain time of regret" by stamping their passports to allow them to return to Denmark during the next three months. Shots of refugees loading bags onto a minibus, arriving in Copenhagen airport and saying final goodbyes there. A plane takes off at night.
Physical description
Beta-SP