By: Francisco Rico-Martinez Sensitivity towards Uprooted Peoples

What may be behind the quiet or impatient/demanding person? Surviving a smuggler –To trust his/her life to someone who you would not trust otherwise –A false ID –Surviving interdiction Spending all his/her resources to go to a place never seen before Leaving the rest of the family behind He/she is “someone” back home: “no one” around here.

What may be behind the quiet or impatient/demanding person? He/she can not go back…persecution Tortured…Trauma Everything is confidential…but seems like everybody knows about me He/she has already been advised

What are the barriers affecting the uprooted person in front of you? Cultural shock…Language? –The Weather –Perception of being odd What about the family? –The Principal Applicant –Domestic Violence/Abuse –Children…School Lack of Resources: –What about welfare? –What about work? –Housing Problems –Staying in a shelter –What about health? »Hunger »Exhaustion

What are the barriers affecting the uprooted person in front of you? Lack of Trust Lack of Experience with Judicial Matters Victimization Discrimination –Racism –Gender –Sexual Orientation –Age And of course, the matter of the immigration of the refugee …

Why the barriers are perceived as extra-judicial matters They are not directly related to the immigration or refugee case

In your opinion, which of the barriers below is the main one? Using “culture” as an example, which of these do you think is the main barrier? –Language/Idioms/Dialects –History/Traditions/Habits –Morality/Religion –Politics –Individuality versus commonalities –Food and Smells –How age, gender, sexual orientation is constructed

What about interpreters? Could there be a conflict of interest? How comfortable is the claimant? Talk to the claimant not the interpreter Test understanding and demand understanding –Do not try to understand what they are saying in their own language –Short sentences –No summaries or discussions –Answer proportionally to the question –Check instructions If possible, keep one interpreter

How can you learn to work through the barriers? Must understand that uprooted persons have more than one problem at the same time –Do not pre-judge By talking about the barriers with the person…do not be scared to ask –But get to the point … we do not have much time When do you know enough about someone? –But do not get involved … be professional

The interviews are crucial. Some interview tips: Break the ice… –Asking about barriers –Talking about family or personal issues Show cultural sensitivity –What do you know about his or her country? –How you take notes is crucial –Eye contact? –What about punctuality? –Delicate issues Explain about the process as an office –Who are you? What is your role? –Confidentiality –Ownership of the case –What is going to happen at that particular time?

The interviews are crucial. Some interview tips: Explain about the refugee process –Explain important terms, times and processes »Persecution »28 days »Interview or hearing –Clarify Expectations

FCJ Refugee Centre 208 Oakwood Ave. Toronto, ON M6E 2V4 Phone: (416) Fax: (416)