Switzerland decides to tighten asylum laws

Swiss voters on Sunday overwhelmingly decided to tighten federal legislation on asylum policy – an issue that has become highly controversial in recent months because of the Kosovo crisis and the resulting refugee migration.

Swiss voters on Sunday overwhelmingly decided to tighten federal legislation on asylum policy – an issue that has become highly controversial in recent months because of the Kosovo crisis and the resulting refugee migration.

About 70 percent of voters came out in favour of the controversial proposals, which were supported by the government but were criticised by several refugee aid groups and non-governmental organisations.

The new legislation tightens the asylum procedure and cuts costs. It also provides a comprehensive solution for cases where large parts of a population flee from fighting – as was the case in Bosnia-Herzegovina and, more recently, in Kosovo.

Under the new law, Kosovo Albanians who flee to Switzerland can now be given what has been termed temporary protection. That means the refugees can be put up in reception centers without the refugees having to go through the whole asylum-seeking process.

However, as soon as peace prevails in their country, the refugees will – as in the case of the Bosnians – have to go back to their home country.

The second asylum vote approved concerned new regulations to fight abuse and misuse of the asylum procedure itself.

The new regulations say that asylum seekers who have no identity papers – and can provide no plausible explanation for this – are not eligible to enter Switzerland under the asylum procedure.

Supporters of the new laws welcomed the outcome of the vote and said a review of Switzerland’s 20-year-old asylum laws was long overdue.

“The law needed to be changed, both to prevent abuse of the system and to make it easier for genuine asylum seekers to find refuge,” said Martin Baltisser, Secretary-General of the conservative Swiss People’s Party.

But the Swiss Refugee Council said it was concerned – though not surprised – about the outcome of the vote.

A spokeswoman said the Swiss were very keen to send food and aid to needy people abroad but were more reluctant to welcome the same people into Switzerland.