Swiss perspectives in 10 languages

Amnesty slams Swiss asylum policy

Waiting inside the deportation prison at Zurich airport Keystone

Switzerland is facing criticism about its asylum policy in Amnesty International’s annual round-up by of human rights abuses worldwide. The organisation targets the practice of forced deportations.

The chapter on Switzerland recalls the case of the rejected Nigerian asylum seeker who was beaten by police officers at Zurich airport in July 2011. Amnesty says the incident was never examined by independent experts.

It also criticises the slow pace of a legal investigation into the death of another Nigerian asylum seeker who was to be put on a deportation flight in March 2010. His family still has not received any financial damages, according to Amnesty.

Cuts in welfare benefits and conditions at asylum centres have also come in for criticism by the London-based human rights group.

As in previous years, Amnesty refers to a perceived lack of legal means to fight racism and discrimination.

The chapter on Switzerland is part of a global overview which highlights the pro-democracy movements in the Middle East. However, Amnesty says vocal support for the protests shown by many global and regional powers has not translated into action.

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

In compliance with the JTI standards

More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative

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.

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR