"People should remember the war in Slovenia. Remember how scared you were then! Everyone fears for his own life. Also people from Syria flee in order to save their lives, and not to take away from us financial social assistance, jobs, or other benefits. They flee just to stay alive," Aida Hadžiahmetović explained in the show NaGlas!. The war had forced her too to leave Sarajevo. Now she is working as a lawyer in the Slovenian Philanthropy, and twice a week helps to applicants for asylum at the Asylum Home in Ljubljana.

We should make it possible for the refugees to lead a normal life, help them build their lives anew, so that they stop being a burden. In time they will be able to provide for themselves, Aida Hadžiahmetović believes. She describes to us a case of 15 boys from Afganistan who came to Slovenia as juveniles without an escort; one of them has recently graduated from high school with honours. "They are making a great progress, learn the language fast, are hard working, and are providing for themselves. They are not a burden for the state, and can be considered a positive experience regarding integration. They enrich our lives."

Compared to the conditions in the 90s, at the time Slovenia accepted refugees from Bosnia, in her opinion positive changes have been made. After one year of residence the applicants for asylum are entitled to a 180-hour Slovenian language course. During the waiting period while waiting to obtain the status they are entitled to a basic Slovenian language course.

According to the data of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MNZ) since 1995, 375 individuals have been given the status of an asylum holder.

Saša Banjanac Lubej, TV Slovenija
Translated by G. K.