A member of the Afghan security forces stands guard during the incineration of seized illegal drugs on Wednesday.
Keystone / Ghulamullah Habibi
Switzerland has suspended repatriations to Afghanistan “until further notice owing to the changed situation in the country”, according to the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM).
No new deportations of rejected asylum-seekers will be ordered, it said on Wednesday. Preparations for repatriation would only be continued in the case of people who had committed a criminal offence.
Afghanistan had asked Switzerland at the beginning of July to postpone the repatriation of rejected asylum-seekers for three months due to the advance of the Islamic fundamentalist Taliban and the Covid-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, Bern continued with forced repatriations to the war-torn country.
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Swiss asked to halt deportations to war-torn Afghanistan
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Pressure is growing on the Swiss government to halt deportations of rejected asylum seekers to Afghanistan.
Aid organisations had long demanded that Switzerland stop repatriations to Afghanistan – as did Swiss Refugee Aid (SFH) earlier on Wednesday after Germany and the Netherlands said they would suspend repatriations.
Taliban surge
The security situation in Afghanistan has deteriorated dramatically since the decision to withdraw international troops from the country in mid-April. The Taliban have captured five of the country’s 34 provincial capitals in less than a week.
Afghan security forces, which have been backed, trained and financed with billions of dollars in a 20-year-long Western military effort that included many EU countries, appear unable to cope with the Taliban offensive.
On Thursday Afghan government forces battled Taliban fighters in and around several cities, officials said, as the militants pressed on with their offensive that US intelligence believes could see them take over the capital, Kabul, within 90 days.
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Switzerland to return rejected asylum-seekers to Afghanistan
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Switzerland has decided to resume the deportation of rejected asylum-seekers to Afghanistan, it has been confirmed.
Train vs plane: would you take a direct train between London and Geneva?
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Swiss voters to decide on three issues on November 30
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Compulsory service for all, a tax on million-dollar inheritances, more indirect subsidies for media publishers: the electorate can vote on these three national issues on November 30.
Dollar falls to lowest level against franc in 14 years
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The weakness of the dollar in recent weeks continues. The greenback hit new lows for the year against both the franc and the euro on Tuesday.
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Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter has met French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss the EU treaties and geopolitical challenges. US tariffs were also part of the bilateral talks.
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Swiss moors and floodplains are in a poor state. Researchers say further efforts are needed to preserve these biotopes in the long term.
Drones banned during the three Euro games in St Gallen
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The St. Gallen government has issued a temporary ban on flying drones around the football stadium in St. Gallen. The measure will apply on three match days of Euro 2025, which starts on Wednesday.
EU nationals come to Switzerland primarily to work
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Given the demographic slowdown, the Swiss labour market must remain open, argues the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) in its annual report on the free movement of people.
UN expert accuses Glencore of complicity with Israel
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The UN Special Rapporteur on the Palestinian Territories has accused Zug-based Glencore of profiting from an Israeli economy that has become "an economy of genocide".
Swiss parliamentary commission to investigate F-35 purchase
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The Swiss government and the other responsible authorities must once again answer critical questions about the procurement of the F-35 fighter jets.
Objections and appeals most common obstacles to residential construction projects
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Objections and appeals are most frequently responsible for delays in new residential construction projects in Switzerland.
Swiss electricity prices predicted to fall in 2026
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Electricity prices in 2026 are likely to be lower than this year, according to a survey. The main reason is the fall in prices on the electricity market.
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Switzerland urged to take in more resettlement refugees
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The UNHCR says war, violence, persecution and human rights violations caused nearly three million people to flee their homes last year.
Switzerland among best countries for children’s rights
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A new ranking of states’ compliance with the international Convention on the Rights of the Child puts Switzerland in second place.
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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.