Switzerland insists on passports for earthquake refugees
Millions of people have been left displaced by the earthquake in Turkey.
Bernat Armangue
Refugees from Turkey or Syria must carry identifying documents if they are seeking shelter in Switzerland from the devastation of last week’s earthquake.
This content was published on
2 minutes
swissinfo.ch/mga/ug
Italiano
it
La Svizzera insiste sul passaporto per i rifugiati del terremoto
More than 40,000 people were killed by a massive earthquake near to the border of Turkey and Syria. Millions are now displaced, many without shelter in freezing conditions, according to the United Nations Refugees Agency.
Switzerland has agreed to speed up the issuance of visas for Turkish and Syrian refugees. Some parliamentarians believe Switzerland should work even faster to provide refuge for earthquake victims.
The foreign affairs committee of the House of Representatives has written to migration officials calling for other bureaucratic hurdles to be dismantled, including the need to present passports.
But in the interests of security, the authorities have drawn the line at accepting people who have no passport or other identity documents.
“We comply with the applicable law, which dictates that we must identify these people. The issue of security is particularly important here,” a State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) spokesperson told Swiss public broadcaster SRF.
SEM also pointed out that it would be difficult for people to leave Turkey or Syria without a passport.
Cassis comment
Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis specified that Switzerland would be willing to take in Turkish earthquake victims without valid travel documents.
But he said that the Turkish authorities would only allow its citizens to leave the country if they have a valid passport or an identity card.
By Thursday, Switzerland had received 1,200 requests for a visa under the accelerated process.
How is your country dealing with the return of stolen artifacts?
Western nations like Switzerland often have to deal with the process of recovering or returning looted artifacts which have been illegally imported. What’s the situation like in your country?
What do you think Switzerland’s Alain Berset can bring to the Council of Europe?
The former interior minister is to become the first Swiss Secretary General of the Council of Europe – which issues should his five-year term focus on?
Sylvain Saudan, ‘skier of the impossible’, dies aged 87
This content was published on
The Swiss father of extreme skiing pioneered descents from the Alps to the Himalayas – and became the sport’s first star.
Hayek family buys additional Swatch shares for nearly CHF11 million
This content was published on
Following the acquisition of registered shares worth over CHF20.6 million on Monday, the Hayek family made another purchase on Tuesday.
Suicide capsule to be used in Switzerland this year, says euthanasia organisation
This content was published on
The organisation “The Last Resort” has confirmed that the suicide capsule Sarco is to be used in Switzerland. This should happen this year, it said.
Ukrainian children flown to Switzerland for cancer treatment
This content was published on
The Swiss air rescue service Rega flew two Ukrainian children with cancer to Switzerland from a hospital in Kyiv hit by Russian missiles.
Swiss Solidarity raises over CHF10 million for victims of extreme weather
This content was published on
The money raised will be used to help those affected by the recent storms and flooding in the cantons of Ticino, Graubünden, and Valais.
Swiss giant Roche given green light for lung cancer drug in Canada
This content was published on
According to a recent study, Roche’s Alecensaro reduced the risk of recurrence or death by 76% compared to chemotherapy alone.
Swiss luxury watch market hit hard by China-led slump
This content was published on
Sales of Swiss-made luxury watches are in sharp retreat as nervous consumers reconsider splashing out on expensive timepieces and demand slumps.
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
Switzerland will fast track visa procedure for earthquake victims
This content was published on
Victims of the earthquake in Turkey and Syria who can be temporarily hosted by close relatives in Switzerland will be given priority.
Swiss rescue team to return home after earthquake mission
This content was published on
The 87-member Swiss Rescue unit deployed in Turkey will return on Monday after completing its work in assigned disaster sites.
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.