The allegations are not new: security guards in asylum centers are supposed to systematically beat, lock up and insult asylum seekers. In a 30-page report, the human rights organization Amnesty International now documents 14 cases of mistreatment of asylum seekers. The incidents occurred between January 2020 and this April in the asylum centers of Basel, Giffers FR, Boudry NE, Altstätten SG and Vallorbe VD.
In the report, employees of the private security companies Securitas and Protectas as well as other specialists are accused of having “physically injured, mistreated and punished” asylum seekers. In addition, asylum seekers – especially those from North Africa – were racially attacked. Asylum seekers reported that they were locked in metal containers as punishment and refused medical treatment. Six of the 14 asylum seekers affected had to be treated in hospital.
Amnesty interviewed 32 people for the report, including 14 victims of abuse and several security guards, legal representatives, carers and social workers. The organization also evaluated medical reports and criminal charges.
Controversial torture allegation
“The cases and information collected for this research indicate serious abuse, which in individual cases could constitute torture or other ill-treatment under international law and violate Switzerland’s obligations under international law,” writes Amnesty.
When asked by the Keystone-SDA news agency, Beat Gerber, spokesman for Amnesty, said: “An independent investigation has to show whether torture and other ill-treatment have been committed in individual cases. The incidents are of such magnitude and scope that we also had to ask this question, and the State Secretariat for Migration SEM must also ask this question. “
Federation defends itself
The federal government defends itself against these allegations. “This would mean that asylum seekers are deliberately inflicted pain or suffering in order to extort statements, intimidate or punish them,” writes the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM). Amnesty thus puts the SEM as a state authority “on a par with unjust regimes or military dictatorships”. This has nothing to do with the reality in the federal asylum centers.
The fact that Amnesty does not provide the SEM with any more detailed information on the cases mentioned in the report also makes it more difficult for a “constructive dialogue and the processing of possible errors”, the SEM states in its statement.
«Our sources have asked us to remain anonymous and of course we respect that. Accordingly, we cannot share all information with the SEM, “replies Amnesty spokesman Beat Gerber. “We were in close contact with the State Secretariat for several months.” So the report is not a surprise. It is the job of the state to ensure that these incidents do not happen again.
Earlier cases are being investigated
Even before the Amnesty Report was published media such as the “Rundschau” of Swiss television and the weekly newspaper “WoZ” reported on incidents in the asylum centers. SEM director Mario Gattiker (64) then announced that former federal judge Niklaus Oberholzer (67) had been commissioned with an external investigation. He should comprehensively clarify the allegations raised and prepare a report.
The SEM is also examining the creation of a complaints office for asylum seekers outside the structures of the State Secretariat. (SDA / til)