Ethiopians rally in Bern to protest deportation deal
The Ethiopian government bowed to EU demands to repatriate failed asylum seekers. Switzerland has piggy-backed on the deal.
Keystone
Several hundred Ethiopians demonstrated in the Swiss capital on Friday against a deal made by the European Union (EU) which would also allow Switzerland to repatriate asylum seekers to the Horn of Africa nation.
This content was published on
2 minutes
In April, for the first time in five years, Ethiopia announced it was ready to receive back citizens whose asylum applications in Switzerland had been rejected. This policy change is an outcome of an agreement between the African state and the EU.
To be readmitted, the persons concerned must be recognised as Ethiopian nationals. If they do not have any documents, they will have to be identified by the authorities. That task would be the responsibility of the Ethiopian intelligence services.
Advocacy group Amnesty International in April criticised Switzerland for moving to return Ethiopian asylum seekers to their homeland, which it characterised as ”undoubtedly an extremely oppressive state”. The involvement of Ethiopian intelligence services was also a chief concern of demonstrators gathered in Bern on Friday.
The protestors said that by returning Ethiopians home, Switzerland would be “putting victims in the hands of the very people they had been fleeing.” They urged the Swiss government to pull out from this agreement.
US-based Freedom House classes Ethiopia as an “authoritarian state”. In its Freedom in the World 2017 report, it pointed to the Ethiopian “security forces’ disproportionate and often violent response to massive, primarily peaceful anti-government protests in the Oromia and Amhara regions, as well as an emergency declaration in October that gave the military sweeping powers.”
ats-swissinfo.ch/ds
More
More
NGO slams Swiss deal to repatriate Ethiopian asylum seekers
This content was published on
After years of foot-dragging, the Ethiopian government bowed to European Union (EU) demands last month to repatriate failed asylum seekers. Switzerland has piggy-backed on the agreement, its migration office confirmed to the Tages Anzeiger. + Swiss asylum policy explained Because many asylum seekers arrive in Switzerland without official documents, the Ethiopian secret service has agreed…
Swiss invention: 90-year anniversary of first T-bar ski lift
This content was published on
On Monday it will be 90 years since the world’s first T-bar ski lift went into service in Davos. This Swiss invention was an instant success.
Iran summons Swiss ambassador over US and Italy arrests
This content was published on
Iran has summoned the Swiss ambassador, who represents US interests, to protest against the arrest in the US and Italy of two Iranians.
Swisscom receives greenlight for acquisition of Vodafone Italia
This content was published on
The takeover of Vodafone Italia by Swisscom is nearing completion. All relevant authorities have now approved the €8 billion (CHF7.45 billion) deal.
Novo Nordisk stock market plunge drags down Swiss device maker Ypsomed
This content was published on
The Danish pharmaceutical giant, Novo Nordisk, faced setbacks on Friday that weighed on the share price of Swiss injection device manufacturer Ypsomed.
Swiss press react to EU deal with mix of euphoria and scepticism
This content was published on
Swiss media reaction to the agreement between Switzerland and the EU varies widely. Some are celebrating, while others worry about what is to come.
Swiss Solidarity donations to tackle child abuse top CHF4 million
This content was published on
Swiss Solidarity, the humanitarian arm of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SBC), has raised over CHF4 million ($4.3 million) to tackle child abuse.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
NGO slams Swiss deal to repatriate Ethiopian asylum seekers
This content was published on
After years of foot-dragging, the Ethiopian government bowed to European Union (EU) demands last month to repatriate failed asylum seekers. Switzerland has piggy-backed on the agreement, its migration office confirmed to the Tages Anzeiger. + Swiss asylum policy explained Because many asylum seekers arrive in Switzerland without official documents, the Ethiopian secret service has agreed…
Border guards report rise in illegal immigrants in 2016
This content was published on
Last year 48,838 people tried to enter Switzerland illegally, compared to 31,038 in 2015, the Swiss Border Guard announced on Tuesday. The southern canton of Ticino was most affected, with over two-thirds of illegal entries (33,844). The numbers hit a peak over the summer with 7,412 in July and 7,482 in August, the Federal Customs…
This content was published on
On Wednesday UN human rights investigators accused Eritrean leaders of crimes including torture, rape, murder and enslaving up to 400,000 people. They called for the case to be referred to the International Criminal Court (ICC). Atrocities had been committed since the country’s independence in 1991 and were continuing, the UN Commission of Inquiry said in…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.