Swiss back tighter asylum rules

[muriel_volestrangler]

In a national referendum, some 67.8% of voters supported the new measures, which the government says are needed to combat abuse of the asylum system.

The new laws cut welfare payments to those whose applications are rejected, and restrict applications from those unable to produce identity documents.
...
The vote gives Switzerland some of the strictest asylum and immigration laws in Europe.
...
But the UNHCR has expressed concern about a requirement for asylum seekers to produce valid identity papers within 48 hours. Many genuine refugees have been deprived of their passports by the very persecutors they are fleeing, it says.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/5375106.stm

Some even say the new rules could lead to Switzerland ironically breaking the Geneva Conventions:

Voters in Switzerland are deciding today on new more restrictive asylum laws which the United Nations says could lead to breaches of the Geneva Convention on refugees.

http://www.rte.ie/news/2006/0924/switzerland.html

[Sadie5]

1. Breaking the Geneva Convention?

Scratching my head over this remark. But never fear, Bush and his pals will show them what to do. Just change the laws to their benefit.

[muriel_volestrangler]

2. Possibly refering to the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees

http://www.unhchr.ch/html/menu3/b/o_c_ref.htm

Signed at Geneva, where the OHCHR has its headquarters. Not one of the 4 'war' Geneva Conventions, though.

[Imajika]

3. What do asylum rules....

...in Switzerland have to do with Bush?

It is pretty obvious the Swiss people want to tighten their asylum laws. 67.8% of Swiss support these measures. Good for them. Bush has zero to do with this story.

[dipsydoodle]

4. Some 67.8% of voters supported the new measures

by referendum so at least it was done in a fair way. Given that it's not uncommon on DU for us to criticise the USA for interference in the policies of foreign nations I'd at least expect consistency to shown by us here. It is after all their country.

I must say that given how expensive it is to live in Switzerland I'm surprised that so many refugees are going there anyway. I would imagine that the Swiss have also not changed their mind about not joining the EEC.

[muriel_volestrangler]

5. I don't think it's unreasonable for us to comment on DU

I'm not saying the US, the EU or anyone ought to be interfering; but I find it unfortunate that a western country is getting so strict with refugees - to the point where they're pushing the boundaries of an international convention. I think few refugees look at the cost of living before deciding where to try to go - they won't be living off savings they already have. Either they get welfare in the country, or they find a job, legal or otherwise.

[dipsydoodle]

6. I agree the subject merits discussion

but there are refugees and there are refugees as you well know from the situation here.

[LeftishBrit]

11. I agree completely with MV

In the UK, the tabloids have been whipping up pure hate against refugees and other immigrants. I have personally seen an apparently normal, elderly lady's face twist with frightening hate as she ranted about how there should be no more immigrants let in at all: "I'm sick of it! I'm sick of it!" The xenophobic right have made too many inroads in several Europaean countries. I admit that I don't know too much about Swiss politics; and there may be things that I'm missing about the situation there. But the anti-refugee issue in many countries is worrying me.

Of course, there are some bogus asylum seekers; but I am sure there are far fewer than the hate-campaigners in Britain and elsewhere suggest.

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

7. There's a difference...

...between the elected government of a country interfering in the internal affairs of another country, and a private citizen commenting on the internal affairs of another country. I think it's mad to say we can't mull over and talk about the decisions of foreign governments. How else are we to learn?

[Crayson]

9. I would come here...

"I must say that given how expensive it is to live in Switzerland I'm surprised that so many refugees are going there anyway."


Because we have a very nice social security system.
You don't have to worry about Switzerland being expensive.

Refugees are not allowed to work (many would like to work, but we have to keep our jobs safe) and therefor they get their monthly cheque for free (we can't let them starve, can we? No, we're not monsters.) Food, Housing, Clothes, all for free. Of course it's not a villa and not Calvin Klein and not caviar, but still free and plenty.

Every refugee who is right in his mind comes to Europe. Best social security systems, guaranteed shelter and food.

Therefor many European countries have to 'upgrade' their refugee laws.
It's kind of a spiral every country needs more strict laws than the other, else that country is flooded.
Now after almost every other country has adopted stricter rules, it was Switzerlands time.

[LeftishBrit]

12. I don't think anyone was saying that we should - or could - interfere

in the actions of Switzerland. Just expressing concern. Actually my concern is more with regard to the pervasive hostility to asylum-seekers in the UK, and I was just seeing this as part of the same pattern.

[Crayson]

8. Just my opinion

Usually I'm pretty much left leaning...

But lately it's just getting too much.

With a population of around 6 million people, more than one million are foreigners.
Just walking around in Zurich or sitting in buses or trains you hear tons of foreign language.
Specially in big cities there is a tendency toward "ghettos" and gangs and criminality.


This is not a problem of racism.
It's a problem of integration.
Some years ago it was easier to integrate refugees.
The Swiss standard (values, cleanes, security, piece, friendliness) was the way how things were done.
Meanwhile it's the other way around. Young people are rude and carry knives because they are threatened by gangs. This on the other hand grows resentment and radical nationalist are on the move.

We need to maintain a healthy middle way.

My personal opinion is that I welcome any refugee whose life is threatened.
But that refugee is a guest! He/she has to live according to our values. Not the other way around. Else he has to go.
But as soon as that danger is over, those people have to return and build up their own country.
How else can we welcome new refugees who need savety?

I'm not against learning from foreign cultures.
But if foreign cultures are against our most basic values like equality of women or peace then we have to act.
For example many adolescent boys in school from the Balcan treat women like shit because they leart it in their families.
Then they treat female teachers and schoolgirls in the same way and so on...
If they are violent and can solve problems only with their fists and force young Swiss people to do the same to keep up than we are loosing our good values, our social achievment of getting along and being peaceful and not being scared to walk through dark streets!

There are also some flaws in the law that were exploited more and more.
Like this:
Refugee comes, refugee can bring his wife and children after him. His elderly grandmother.
Children of the refugee naturally go to school. Refugee family can overstay their time until children have finished their school.
Another few years by calling to various court instances...
In short: once they're in it's almost impossible to get them back out.
Of course those are human tragedies and individual stories, I do see them
But on a bigger scale we can't keep them all. There must be a limit. We are not an immigration country.

As much as I personally like to help people in need.
They are guests and have to behave like guests, else they have to be kicked out.
And I expect a "thank you". Not an already filled in form with demands for money, an apartment, insurance voucher...


What would I expect from somebody whose life I saved?
1. thank you
2. learns your language
3. respects the hosts values
4. does everything he can to help himself and other refugees instead of sitting back and waiting
5. plans for his return


This vote with 67% in favor mirrors this sentiment that people feel tired.
67% is HUGE, almost a landslide.
Normally votes pass or fail by some percentage around +/- 50%.

[dipsydoodle]

10. Your opinion

is very much appreciated and understood. :)