In view of the forthcoming referendum (24 September) in Switzerland on two new laws, formally unconnected but both treating the same subject – the presence of foreigners in the country -, the Commission of Justice and Peace of the Swiss Bishops’ Conference, Caritas Switzerland and Migratio have restated their opposition to the provisions in a publication with the title “No to the reform of the laws on asylum and on foreigners. A different approach”. This position was also reaffirmed by the bishops in recent days, on the conclusion of their 273rd ordinary assembly. “The two laws [one on asylum and one on foreigners] cultivate the illusion of being able to control immigration and combat abuses in the field of political asylum”, says the signatories of the document, but “the coercive measures contained in them” overstep “the measure of common sense and represent a worrying loss of humanitarian spirit”. In particular, says the document, “the law on asylum traduces Switzerland’s humanitarian tradition and violates the Geneva Convention”. In the view of the Church and the above-mentioned organizations, the provision “will force rejected asylum seekers into illegality, since provision is made only for a minimum emergency aid for them, and increase the number of sans papiers”. As for the law on foreigners, it, admits the document, “undoubtedly makes some improvements, such as the derogation from residence permit conditions for the victims of the trafficking of human beings, but the changes in question are slight”. The negative aspects include: the denial of further “access to the Swiss labour market for immigrants from countries outside the EU and EFTA (European Free Trade Association, founded in 1960, of which Norway, Liechtenstein, Iceland and Switzerland now form part); the taking into account only of the need for highly skilled manpower; and more restrictive measures for family reunification”. The two laws altogether are called “unacceptable because they do not respect the inalienable principle of human dignity”. The document calls instead for “a legal framework that would respect this dignity, take account of the reality of the present globalized world, and honour Switzerland’s international obligations”. Info: commande@juspax.ch.
