DNA is an association that defends and develops the values of freedom, equality of citizens before the law, social justice, and participation in civic life.
It primarily fights against arbitrariness, intolerance, racism, discrimination, and incitement to hatred.
It acts against all forms of exclusion.
‘In collaboration with other civic and humanitarian associations, we have been following for a year the difficult journey of these asylum seekers and striving to find solutions for their accommodation,’ says its president Térésa Maffeis.
NP: But actually, who are the asylum seekers?
DNA: These refugees are people who have fled their country due to serious violations of their fundamental rights and whom the authorities cannot or do not want to protect.
International refugee law obliges states to refrain from sending back to their country of origin anyone who would risk being subjected to abuse or mistreatment because of their identity, religious beliefs, or political convictions.
NP: What is their situation in France?
DNA: Asylum seekers are under an international protection regime and await a decision from a state or the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) regarding their refugee status request to avoid any kind of fraud or abuse.
Until a final decision is made on their status, they cannot be sent back to their country of origin.
In France, while waiting, these people do not have the right to work and receive an allowance barely exceeding 300 euros to meet their needs.
Families generally have the chance to be housed in specialized centers.
Unfortunately, for isolated individuals, the lack of space in these centers implies much more precarious living conditions.
NP: And what is the situation in Nice? Why this solidarity evening?
DNA: In Nice, about 90 of them have to sleep on the street, which is a lifestyle far removed from the integration they desire. This disrupts the preparation for crucial interviews with State Services and the language learning courses they are required to attend.
This evening is both a support event (we will donate the entire proceeds to a solidarity fund for the asylum seekers) and a protest to ensure that the situation can quickly find a solution worthy of human dignity and respectful of the law.
