“No to the reform of the laws on asylum and on foreigners. A different approach”: that’s the title of the publication prepared by the Justice and Peace Commission of the Swiss Bishops’ Conference, in collaboration with Caritas Switzerland and with the Migratio Commission, containing the bishops’ reflections on asylum and foreigners. “Each political and social action must guarantee a dignified life to all human beings. We therefore call for an asylum policy based on concrete facts, and one that takes into account the global reality in which we live”, say the bishops in a press release, re-affirming their own opposition – already expressed on several occasions – to the law that was approved by Parliament in December 2005 and that will be subjected to a popular referendum on 24 September. At the heart of the debate, says the statement, “are the fundamental values of our society: human dignity and the rights that are its consequence”. “With these new restrictive measures – warn the bishops – the dignity of each person is no longer respected. Requests for protection can in fact be rejected on the basis of essentially formal criteria that in no way take account of the reasons that have forced a person to go into exile”. The bishops urge, instead, that “our action be guided” by “love for our neighbour and global justice”. The document may be requested from the address: commande@juspax.ch.
