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The new Asylum Minister Beat Jans’ plans for stricter measures in the asylum system are dividing politicians and refugee organizations: for some it is the right way, for others it is just marketing. Now SEM deputy director Martelli is justifying the new course.
Millions of people are on the run worldwide. More than ever since the Second World War. This also poses challenges for Switzerland. After almost two months in office, Justice Minister Beat Jans surprised people with concrete proposals. The ultimate goal: fewer asylum applications from people who have little chance of being recognized as asylum seekers. This mainly affects people from Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia. Jans suggests, among other things, that their asylum applications be examined more quickly, in so-called 24-hour procedures.
This new, tougher tone from an SP Federal Councilor in asylum policy surprises Alicia Giraudel, asylum expert at Amnesty International Switzerland. “The plans are presented as a miracle solution without mentioning the risks of these deterrent measures.” SP Councilor of States Franziska Roth clearly supports her Federal Councilor and is satisfied with his performance: “It is the right direction, even if I have a different opinion on certain points.” Giraudel, on the other hand, sees the rights of asylum seekers at risk. A person’s situation can hardly be adequately clarified in such a short time, says the asylum and human rights expert in the “Arena”. “This is the beginning of the erosion of the right to asylum.”
According to SEM, 24-hour procedures are unproblematic
The deputy director of the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM), Claudio Martelli, vehemently contradicts this criticism. “It’s not about deterrence, but about sending a clear signal,” he emphasizes. He does not share Giraudel’s concerns that vulnerable asylum seekers could fall through the cracks: “The same procedural steps are carried out in the 24-hour procedures as in the regular asylum procedures. Only the waiting times between steps are shortened.”
For FDP State Councilor Isabelle Moret from the canton of Vaud, this is exactly where the advantage of accelerated procedures lies: “People who do not receive asylum can be deported more quickly and so there is more space for those who really need protection.” This is important for the cantons because some of them have major bottlenecks in accommodating asylum seekers. The problem is also known in SEM. According to forecasts, the number of asylum seekers will increase sharply from the summer onwards, says deputy SEM director Martelli and appeals to politicians: “Just because the number of asylum seekers is falling, you don’t have to cut resources straight away.” FDP State Councilor Moret, in turn, expects better cooperation between the federal government and the cantons and, above all, more transparency. Switzerland is in an unprecedented migration crisis and a task force is needed that can develop crisis measures.
Just because the number of asylum seekers is falling doesn’t mean you have to cut back on resources.
Does the population still feel safe?
“Migration crisis” means on the one hand, “reception crisis” on the other. However, the guests agree on one topic: tension among the population is increasing. For example, SVP National Councilor Nina Fehrüssel emphasizes: “Cases of sexual assault and theft are increasing and many people no longer feel safe.” You shouldn’t just look away, said the Zurich SVP National Councilor. Only recently, the Neuchâtel cantonal government announced that it would terminate the agreement on the federal asylum center early if there were no improvements. The reason for this was persistent complaints from the population about thefts and break-ins.
The subjective feeling of security among the population is decreasing.
“The subjective feeling of security among the population is decreasing,” says SP Councilor of States Franziska Roth. Politicians have to look, show numbers and identify problems, said Roth. The SEM also receives feedback from the public, says deputy director Martelli in the “Arena”: “We take it very seriously.” The increasing feeling of uncertainty is being responded to with a “bouquet of measures”. For example, more security personnel in and around federal asylum centers and with prevention and integration.
At the end of the program it is clear to the “Arena” guests: The challenges in the asylum system can only be overcome if cooperation works. There is currently more disagreement about specific measures.