Human trafficking remains a problem for Switzerland
The number of human trafficking cases involving migrant women is a worry for support groups.
Keystone / Andreas Arnold
A support group for female migrants provided care for 108 new cases of human trafficking in Switzerland last year. The “Advocacy and Support for Migrant Women and Victims of Trafficking” (FIZ) service said 34 of the victims were asylum seekers.
Taken together with the 113 ongoing consultations from previous years, FIZ says the number of cases of women being trafficked into the country (many for prostitution) remains high. In 2017, FIZ provided support for 228 women. To combat the problem, FIZExternal link has joined forces with Church groups to provide better care for the victims.
The Zurich-based entity will receive funding from the region’s Catholic and Evangelical Reformed churches to create a new project entitled “Comprehensive Protection for Victims of Human Trafficking in the Asylum Sector”.
FIZ said it was necessary to draw on Church funds as the state will not provide money if the scene of the crime cannot be established as being in Switzerland. The victims of human trafficking originated from 42 different countries.
The majority (14%) were from Hungary with 8% coming from Nigeria and Romania and 7% from Bulgaria.
FIZ also provides general counselling for migrant women and says the number of these sessions rose from 299 in 2017 to 348 last year.
Should raw milk sales be banned or should consumers decide?
Swiss food regulations do not allow raw milk to be sold for direct consumption. However, a loophole allows 400 raw milk vending machines to do just that.
Russian prosecutor seeks jail for French researcher tied to Swiss NGO
This content was published on
A Russian prosecutor asked a court to jail Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher working for a Swiss NGO, alleging he broke Russia’s “foreign agent” laws.
Greenwashing is on the decline but not in Switzerland
This content was published on
For the first time in six years, the number of greenwashing cases has fallen worldwide. But the challenges remain, as a new study shows.
This content was published on
The people's initiative for a future without animal experiments in Switzerland has passed the 100,000 mark in certified signatures.
This content was published on
Swiss flavour and fragrance firm Givaudan is strengthening its presence in Southeast Asia with the construction of a new plant in Indonesia.
Swiss siblings nominated for international film music award
This content was published on
With their double nomination at the World Soundtrack Awards, the Swiss-Australian Baldenweg sibling trio are making history for Switzerland.
Switzerland calls on Israel to halt attacks on Unifil in Lebanon
This content was published on
Switzerland has called on the Israeli army to immediately cease all attacks on the UN observer mission Unifil in Lebanon.
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
More Nigerian women and asylum seekers being trafficked
This content was published on
Last year, the proportion of human trafficking victims who are also asylum seekers tripled in the Zurich region, according to a Swiss advocacy group’s annual report.
Nigerian found guilty in sex trafficking and voodoo case
This content was published on
A Nigerian woman has been sentenced to three years in jail and deportation from Switzerland for trafficking and enslaving women as sex workers.
Switzerland strengthens police cooperation with Bulgaria
This content was published on
Swiss authorities on Wednesday made public an agreement with Bulgarian police forces aimed at speeding up information exchange and supporting investigative work, particularly on human trafficking.
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.