The continued use of restraints during forced deportations from Switzerland has again been criticised by a monitoring body. The rebuke coincides with government attempts to force Covid-19 tests for deportees and an ongoing probe into alleged violence at asylum centres.
This content was published on
2 minutes
swissinfo.ch/mga
Switzerland’s National Commission for the Prevention of Torture (NCPT) noted 25 repatriation flights from the country last year. It found police procedure to be inconsistent among different cantons, particularly the use of handcuffs and other restraints.
Presenting its findings on ThursdayExternal link, the Commission called for action to standardise police strategy nationwide and demanded that restraints are not used purely on the basis of a psychiatric evaluation.
The Commission also found that there was little difference in the treatment of different categories of deportees, which define how much restraint is permitted.
Although some improvements have been made in the last year, the main thrust of the complaints are similar to those made last July.
Obligatory test
In a separate development, the Swiss government is asking parliament to approve measures to force deported migrants into taking Covid-19 tests. This is to counter the problem of migrants effectively stopping their deportation by refusing to take tests.
The proposed measures, which has just been through a consultation phase, would last until the end of 2022 if approved. The government does not believe that a swab test would count as an invasive medical procedure.
Left-leaning political parties and refugee organisations say the measures would be a violation of human rights, while parties on the right say it would stop the asylum system from collapsing.
The treatment of refugees in Switzerland has been at the centre of controversy in recent months amid claims of abuses at asylum centres. In May, an independent investigation was launched to look into the allegations.
Swiss authorities announce cost-cutting in asylum sector
This content was published on
The government notably wants to improve integration into the labour force, particularly for people with protection status S.
Various leaders confirm participation at Ukraine peace conference
This content was published on
The presidents of Poland, Finland, and Latvia and the prime ministers of Spain and Belgium will be at the Swiss-hosted talks in mid-June.
This content was published on
In the winter season up to April 2024, railway and cable car operators ferried 3% more visitors compared to the previous winter, and 5% more than the five-year average.
Rhine flooding: Swiss to invest CHF1 billion with Austria
This content was published on
As part of an international agreement with Austria, the Swiss government wants to pump CHF1 billion ($1.1 billion) into flood protection measures along the Rhine over the next three decades.
Swiss government proposes CHF10 million UNRWA donation
This content was published on
After months of debate, Switzerland plans to give CHF10 million ($11 million) to the UN agency this year, rather than the CHF20 million initially foreseen.
Swiss study: insects mainly migrate at midday and dusk
This content was published on
A study led by the Swiss Ornithological Institute in canton Lucerne is helping to better understand the movement patterns of migratory insects.
Red Cross: 22 staff killed in Middle East since October
This content was published on
The Red Cross and Red Crescent network in Gaza and Israel has lost 22 staff members since last October, the Swiss Red Cross (SRC) said on Wednesday.
Dortmund’s Kobel is first Swiss goalie in Champions League final
This content was published on
Borussia Dortmund’s Gregor Kobel has achieved history by becoming the first Swiss goalkeeper to reach a Champion’s League final.
University students in Switzerland join Gaza protest wave
This content was published on
Pro-Palestinian activists occupied university buildings in Lausanne, Geneva and Zurich on Tuesday, widening the protest movement in the Alpine nation.
Switzerland launches probe into suspected asylum centre violence
This content was published on
An independent investigation has been opened into allegations of violence at several federal asylum centres in Switzerland.
This content was published on
While Switzerland sent nearly 57% of its rejected asylum seekers back home in 2017, the average figure for EU nations was just under 37%.
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.