The head of Switzerland’s migration office has defended the country’s right to send failed asylum seekers back to Eritrea, saying that people will not be repatriated if there is any evident risk to life or limb.
This content was published on
2 minutes
swissinfo.ch/mga
Two court rulings in as many years have cleared the way for Switzerland to repatriate failed asylum seekers to the African state. The verdicts dismissed claims that Eritrea is too dangerous to send anyone back or that enforced military service would necessarily result in abuse.
Speaking to the Blick newspaper on Wednesday, the head of the State Secretariat for Migration Mario Gattiker said Switzerland would not take advantage of the rulings to arbitrarily send back all failed asylum seekers. “Anyone who could face persecution in Eritrea would receive protection from Switzerland.”
But where no evidence of imminent danger exists, the migration office would expect people to return to Eritrea. “We would demand that people return to their homeland if they faced no danger as a consequence and if it is reasonable to do so,” Gattiker told the daily newspaper.
No cooperation
It is estimated that the court rulings could have a direct impact on just over 100 of the nearly 3,000 cases currently under review.
However, Gattiker confirmed that the Eritrean authorities are still not cooperating with either Switzerland or other European countries that want to repatriate failed asylum seekers. This is in contrast to neighbouring country Ethiopia that has agreed to facilitate the return of its citizens.
So far, only around 20 Eritreans have returned to their homeland from Switzerland, having voluntarily agreed to do so.
Since 2017, Switzerland has steadily tightened its admission criteria for Eritrean asylum seekers, who have represented the largest foreign community seeking asylum in the alpine country in recent years. Eritreans accounted for 3,375 asylum requests in 2017, nevertheless a decline of nearly 35% compared to 2016.
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
Eritrean military service no grounds for asylum, rules Swiss court
This content was published on
Rejected Eritrean asylum seekers may still be deported to their home country even if they face being called up for compulsory national service.
Switzerland could send back 3,200 rejected Eritrean asylum seekers
This content was published on
In August 2017, the Federal Administrative Court ruled that Eritrean nationals who had performed their compulsory military service in their country should not expect to be re-conscripted into the army or face criminal punishment when they return home. The court therefore considered that a return to Eritrea “cannot generally be considered as unenforceable”. Because the…
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…
Drop in number of rejected asylum seekers on welfare
This content was published on
Just over 8,000 rejected asylum seekers received basic welfare benefits in Switzerland last year worth a total of CHF60 million ($60 million).
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.