The Swiss voice in the world since 1935
Top stories
Stay in touch with Switzerland

Call to speed up deportation of Eritreans rejected

Rally of Eritrean government opponents
The issue of Eritrean refugees have been the subject of several parliament session over the past few years. Keystone

The Swiss parliament does not want to open talks with the Eritrean authorities on a repatriation accord and it also dismissed a petition to ease restrictions on asylum seekers from the east African country.

Overruling the House of Representatives, the Senate on Wednesday decided to reject proposals by members of the Swiss People Party and by a citizens’ group in Geneva respectively.

Speakers said the situation in Eritrea had not improved despite a peace accord with neighbouring Ethiopia.

Justice Minister Simonetta Sommaruga pointed out that the Eritrean government is not willing to take back rejected asylum seekers, despite repeated attempts by Switzerland for dialogue. 

She added that the number of asylum requests has dropped from nearly 10,000 in 2015 to about 1,800 this year.

However, the Senate on Wednesday unanimously approved a motion calling on the government to re-examine the status of Eritreans with temporary asylum status in Switzerland.

The demand is in line with an announcement by the Federal Migration Office earlier this month.

The office decided to suspend the temporary refugee status of 20 Eritreans following the launch of a review of 3,400 asylum applications from the east African country. Humanitarian organisations have criticised the move.

+ The Swiss policy on repatriating rejected asylum seekers to Eritrea

Switzerland has gradually tightened its policy over the past year following a decision by Federal Administrative Court last year to allow in principle the repatriation of rejected asylum seekers.

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

News

A live scarecrow competition to thrill Denens (VD)

More

Live scarecrow competition set to thrill Swiss

This content was published on The Fête de l'Epouvantail (scarecrow festival) is celebrating its 30th anniversary and returns to Denens in canton Vaud for its seventh edition from July 10-20.

Read more: Live scarecrow competition set to thrill Swiss
Man dies in accident on toboggan run in Matten near Interlaken BE

More

Man dies on Swiss toboggan run

This content was published on A 35-year-old man has died in a work accident at the valley station of the Heimwehfluh toboggan run in Matten near Interlaken, canton Bern.

Read more: Man dies on Swiss toboggan run
The Swiss embassy in Tehran reopens

More

Swiss embassy in Tehran re-opens

This content was published on The Swiss embassy in Tehran re-opened on Sunday after being closed on June 20 owing to the unstable situation in the country.

Read more: Swiss embassy in Tehran re-opens
Queen of the Netherlands attends European Championship match in Lucerne

More

Euro 2025: Dutch queen cheers on team in Lucerne

This content was published on Queen Maxima of the Netherlands and her youngest daughter Princess Ariane attended the Netherlands' women's European Championship football match against Wales in Switzerland on Saturday.

Read more: Euro 2025: Dutch queen cheers on team in Lucerne
30-year-old charged with drone flight at Women's European Championships

More

Man charged with flying drone at women’s Euro 2025

This content was published on A man flew a drone around the venue on Wednesday evening during the first match of the Women's EURO 2025 in St. Gallen. The 30-year-old violated the absolute ban on flying during match days. He was reported to the police.

Read more: Man charged with flying drone at women’s Euro 2025
257 Swiss companies are members of the SBTi

More

More than 250 Swiss companies sign CO2 reduction initiative

This content was published on A total of 257 companies from Switzerland have signed up to the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi). In doing so, they are committing to CO2 reduction targets that are compatible with the Paris Climate Agreement.

Read more: More than 250 Swiss companies sign CO2 reduction initiative

In compliance with the JTI standards

More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative

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.

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR