NGO slams Swiss deal to repatriate Ethiopian asylum seekers
Amnesty International has criticized Swiss moves to return Ethiopian asylum seekers to their homeland. The secret deal to cooperate with the Ethiopian intelligence services was exposed by the Tages Anzeiger newspaper on Thursday.
This content was published on
2 minutes
swissinfo.ch/mga
After years of foot-dragging, the Ethiopian government bowed to European Union (EU) demands last month to repatriate failed asylum seekers. Switzerland has piggy-backed on the agreement, its migration office confirmed to the Tages Anzeiger.
Because many asylum seekers arrive in Switzerland without official documents, the Ethiopian secret service has agreed to help identify people. The Swiss chapter of Amnesty InternationalExternal link has condemned such cooperation “with undoubtedly an extremely oppressive state”.
There are currently around 1,500 Ethiopians living in Switzerland and some 300 pending deportation cases. Until now, Ethiopia has refused to repatriate failed asylum seekers, a stance which met with condemnation by the EU and Switzerland. One such case is an Ethiopian ‘hate preacher’ who was convicted in Switzerland last November.
A migration office spokesman told the Tages Anzeiger that each deportation case would be treated on an individual basis and that the procedure is highly regulated.
Last August, a Swiss court ruling opened the way for more Eritrean asylum seekers to be repatriated to Ethiopa’s neighbouring country. This could affect some 3,200 people who came to Switzerland from the country seeking asylum. Several people have received letters stating that their cases are being reviewed.
More
More
Switzerland could send back 3,200 rejected Eritrean asylum seekers
This content was published on
In August 2017, the Federal Administrative Court ruled that Eritrean nationals who had performed their compulsory military service in their country should not expect to be re-conscripted into the army or face criminal punishment when they return home. The court therefore considered that a return to Eritrea “cannot generally be considered as unenforceable”. Because the…
Pro-Palestine protests extend to Basel and Fribourg universities
This content was published on
Demonstrators called for an academic boycott of all Israeli institutions and disassociation with Chaim Weizmann, the first Israeli president.
This content was published on
In many cases, China's use of AI undermines the national security of the US and its allies, according to a US government representative.
Swiss Hells Angels trial alleges rape and money laundering
This content was published on
An allegedly high-ranking member of the Hells Angels is accused of money laundering totalling millions and rape, among other serious crimes.
SWISS is airline ‘group flagship’ says Lufthansa boss
This content was published on
Despite challenges, Lufthansa and its most important subsidiary, Swiss International Airlines, promise increased satisfaction and continued growth.
Swiss rediscover communist zeal after 84-year hiatus
This content was published on
Over 300 participants founded the Revolutionary Communist Party (RKP) at its congress in Burgdorf in canton Bern at the weekend.
This content was published on
Nemo brought the Eurovision Song Contest to Switzerland with a victory on Saturday evening in Malmö, Sweden. It is Switzerland's third victory in the history of the music contest.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Switzerland could send back 3,200 rejected Eritrean asylum seekers
This content was published on
In August 2017, the Federal Administrative Court ruled that Eritrean nationals who had performed their compulsory military service in their country should not expect to be re-conscripted into the army or face criminal punishment when they return home. The court therefore considered that a return to Eritrea “cannot generally be considered as unenforceable”. Because the…
This content was published on
The risks faced by Eritreans who are sent back to their home country are less substantial than sometimes claimed, a Swiss court has ruled.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.