Court finds Switzerland guilty of violating refugees’ right to family life
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has criticised Switzerland for rejecting refugees’ applications for family reunification on the grounds that they were dependent on social assistance.
This content was published on
2 minutes
Keystone-SDA/ts
Español
es
El Tribunal Europeo de Derechos Humanos declara a Suiza culpable
In its rulingExternal link handed down on Tuesday, the Strasbourg-based Court found that Switzerland had violated Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, concerning the right to respect for private and family life. The four people – three Eritreans and one Chinese of Tibetan origin – arrived in Switzerland between 2008 and 2012 and were granted refugee status.
They were admitted to the country on a provisional basis, as it had been established that they would be at risk of ill-treatment if returned to their country of origin. Unlike refugees with asylum status, provisionally admitted people are only entitled to family reunification if they are not reliant on social assistance.
In the case of the four refugees, the Swiss authorities refused their applications for family reunification on the grounds that this condition was not met.
More
More
European court opposes Swiss deportation of Afghan refugee
This content was published on
An Afghan Christian who fled to Switzerland but was denied asylum should not be sent back to his home country, a European court has ruled.
Noting that two of the four applicants were working and that a third had been declared medically unfit for work, the Court found that the Swiss authorities “had not struck a fair balance between, on the one hand, the applicants’ interest in being reunited with their immediate family members in Switzerland, and on the other hand, the interest of the community as a whole in controlling immigration with a view to protecting the economic well-being of the country”.
The ECHR ordered Switzerland to pay €5,125 (CHF5,000) each to two applicants and €15,375 (CHF15,000) to a third for non-pecuniary damage, as well as costs and expenses.
In the case of a fourth applicant, the Court found that the authorities had not exceeded their discretionary power in rejecting the applicant’s request for family reunification. She had made no effort to find a job, although she was able to work.
The European Court of Human Rights is an international court of the Council of Europe which interprets the European Convention on Human Rights. It is not connected to the European Union.
Most Read Swiss Abroad
More
Swiss politician resigns after firing shots at Jesus picture
What can be done to protect biodiversity in your country?
Swiss voters are set to decide on a people’s initiative calling for better protection of ecosystems in the country. Have your say on the September 22 vote.
This content was published on
Hollywood star Pamela Anderson will be honoured at the Zurich Film Festival for her career and role in the film The Last Showgirl.
Switzerland to host Ukraine mine action conference in October
This content was published on
Together with Ukraine, Switzerland is organising the Ukraine Mine Action Conference (UMAC2024) in Lausanne on October 17 and 18.
Switzerland revises pension expenditure downwards by billions
This content was published on
The Swiss government has corrected downwards the projected expenditure on old-age and survivor insurance in 2033 by CHF2.5 billion ($2.66 billion).
Excess mortality rate post-Covid could persist until 2033
This content was published on
According to a report by reinsurer Swiss Re, many countries are still experiencing excess mortality following the Covid-19 pandemic.
Swiss Army ends clean-up operation in storm-hit Maggia Valley
This content was published on
The Swiss Armed Forces completed 76 flight hours during the clean-up operation following the storm in the Maggia Valley in Ticino at the end of June.
Swiss cruise ship stranded on Danube River after heavy rains
This content was published on
Passengers on a Swiss river-cruise ship stranded on the Danube following heavy rainfall are still unable to disembark in Vienna due to flooding.
Golden eagles get better at flying over time, say Swiss researchers
This content was published on
Golden eagles perfect their flight as they age and learn to make better use of air currents, says a new study co-produced by Swiss researchers.
This content was published on
Public libraries in Switzerland recorded 46.3 million admissions last year, 7.4 million more than in 2022, says the Federal Statistical Office.
Court finds Switzerland violated Sudanese man’s rights
This content was published on
In its verdict published on Tuesday, the Strasbourg-based court held that Switzerland’s decision to send the Sudanese national back home had violated articles two and three of the European Convention on Human Rights, which protect the right to life and prohibit torture and “inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment”. The Sudanese man has been a…
Switzerland criticised by Strasbourg court for judge’s lack of impartiality
This content was published on
The European Court of Human Rights has upheld an appeal by Erwin Sperisen, who had complained that the Geneva Appeals Court president was biased.
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.