Asylum statistics from the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM), show more than 12,000 people came to Switzerland in the first six months of this year. Compared to the first half of 2022, the total number of asylum applications has risen by 43%.
This content was published on
2 minutes
SRF/amva
العربية
ar
سويسرا تسجل زيادة بنسبة 43٪ في طلبات اللجوء خلال الأشهر الستة الأخيرة
In the last ten years, only in the first half of 2016 have more asylum applications been submitted. According to Reto Kormann, spokesman for the SEM, the increase of 43% is relatively high but expected. By the end of the 2023, the SEM expects a total of around 27,000 applications.
Most asylum applications this year came from people from Afghanistan, followed by Turkey. The SEM examines each application individually to see whether the reasons for asylum have been met, says Kormann.
More
More
Asylum cases increased in 2022, not counting Ukrainians
This content was published on
Switzerland’s State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) says it received 24,511 asylum applications in 2022, without counting Ukrainians.
Justice Minister Elisabeth Baume-Schneider wanted container villages for asylum seekers, but the request failed in parliament when it was rejected by the Senate. However, Kormann says there is currently no emergency situation regarding accommodations for refugees. There are still around 4,000 places in reserve at the federal level.
More
More
Parliament again rejects extra funding for refugee housing
This content was published on
The Senate has for a third time rejected extra funding to build housing for the mounting number of refugees in Switzerland.
The cantons still have around five weeks to organize additional accommodations in order to prepare for a possible next wave of refugees in autumn.
More
More
Cantons seek government support to cope with wave of refugees
This content was published on
The rapid rise in the number of refugees has strained housing in some cantons, which are calling on the federal government for support.
However, in the city of Chiasso in canton Ticino which boarders Italy, the situation is coming to a boiling point.
Police commander Nicolas Poncini says his colleagues have already responded to asylum seekers 300 times this year: “The situation is explosive, we have twice as many refugees as planned.”
The situation is nowhere near as unforeseen as it is portrayed, says Samuel Wyss, another spokesperson for SEM “Now we have an extraordinary situation, not only in Ticino. That’s why we had to find new accommodation, of course in consultation with the authorities”.
The local authorities did not manage to integrate so many asylum seekers into work programs, regrets mayor of Chiasso, Bruno Arrigoni. He would also like to see more support from the canton. If the asylum seekers could work, they would have a daily structure and more money.
More
More
How the Swiss asylum system works
This content was published on
Switzerland has a long humanitarian tradition but who can apply for asylum in the country and how?
Swiss price watchdog slams excessive prices for generic medicines
This content was published on
The cheapest generic medicines available in Switzerland are more than twice as expensive as in other countries, according to a study by the Swiss price watchdog.
Nature should not figure in net zero calculations: academic study
This content was published on
The natural removal of CO2 from the atmosphere by forests or oceans should not be included in the net-zero balance of climate protection measures, argue researchers.
This content was published on
None of the 15 major Swiss retail banks is meeting international climate and biodiversity targets, according to a ranking by WWF Switzerland.
This content was published on
Nestlé's new CEO Laurent Freixe, has presented plans for the future of the world's largest food company, after his first few weeks in office.
Swiss foreign minister calls on Moscow to end Ukraine war
This content was published on
It's high time Moscow ended its war against Ukraine, Swiss foreign minister Ignazio Cassis tells the UN Security Council.
This content was published on
The only alternative to the UN Palestinian agency’s work in Gaza is to allow Israel to run services there, Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA Commissioner-General, told reporters in Geneva on Monday.
Study reveals food culture differences between Switzerland and neighbours
This content was published on
Three-quarters of Swiss people consider eating to be a pleasurable, social activity, a new survey reveals. Healthy eating, however, plays a much less important role, it found.
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
Swiss parliament greenlights army support for migration office
This content was published on
The Swiss parliament says soldiers can be deployed to help support the State Secretariat for Migration cope with the influx of asylum-seekers.
Is housing asylum seekers in underground shelters inhumane?
This content was published on
The Swiss parliament rejected funding to build container accommodation. They argued that underused civil defence bunkers could do the job.
Court finds Switzerland guilty of violating refugees’ right to family life
This content was published on
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has criticised Switzerland for rejecting refugees’ applications for family reunification.
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.