What do you think of the Swiss asylum system?

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What policy responses are needed to guarantee the fundamental human rights of asylum seekers and to manage the concerns of the Swiss population in the face of recent refugee arrivals? Take part in the discussion on the theme “dialogue”, an offer from the Swiss Radio-Television Company (SBC), the parent company of SWI swissinfo.ch.

This content was published on September 28, 2023 – 5:00 p.m.

September 28, 2023 – 5:00 p.m.

In August, 3,001 asylum applications were registered in Switzerland, 47% more than in August 2022. Most asylum seekers arrive in Switzerland via the Balkan route. While many people found themselves stuck on their way due to the pandemic, the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) is now seeing a “catch-up” effect. In addition to refugees taking the Balkan route, images showing refugees arriving in Lampedusa via the central Mediterranean route reach us daily.

The number of asylum seekers arriving in Europe has reached record levels this year, putting a strain on reception arrangements in European Union countries, notably Italy and Greece. In Switzerland, the Confederation expects an increase in the numbers in the coming weeks and is therefore looking for 1,800 additional accommodation places in the cantons. At the same time, NGOs working on behalf of asylum seekers highlight a certain severity in Switzerland towards very specific population groups, for example Afghans.

Taking into account the Swiss asylum system and the current situation, the SBC’s “dialogue” service offers you a thematic selection on the subject, with content from all over Switzerland translated into the four national languages ​​and English.

>>> Click here to access “dialogueExternal link“.

As part of its “dialogue” offer, the SBC invites you to share your ideas on its online discussion forum, moderated – your comments are not automatically published in order to avoid harassment, insults and trolls – and translated into the four national languages ​​and English.

So what do you think? Is Switzerland a country of asylum? Are more regulations needed? Or should more resources be provided for the reception and integration of asylum seekers? And if so, how can we identify and meet the needs of asylum seekers?

>>> Click here to join the debateExternal link

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