High Commissioner calls for refugee quota
Switzerland is facing new calls to accept a set number of refugees and to ensure asylum regulations do not exclude people refusing to serve in the armed forces.
The Geneva-based United Nations Commissioner for Refugees, António Guterres, said he hoped Switzerland would join the countries taking in a quota of refugees, mainly from Iraq.
He made the statement during a visit by Justice Minister Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf on Tuesday.
The justice ministry said Widmer-Schlumpf pointed out to Guterres that Switzerland grants refugee status to people who have been persecuted but wants to combat abuse of the asylum system.
Last month Widmer-Schlumpf announced plans to refuse asylum to Eritreans who had deserted from the army.
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