Justice Minister Beat Jans wants to tackle these dossiers
Published: Tuesday, Apr 2nd 2024, 12:20
Updated At: Tuesday, Apr 2nd 2024, 17:01
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The new SP Federal Councillor Beat Jans has many open dossiers to deal with as Minister of Justice. In his 100-day review, he gave an insight into nine important topics. An overview:
SEARCHING FOR ASYLUM PROVENANCE: According to figures from the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM), Switzerland could receive up to around 40,000 asylum applications this year - a large proportion of them in the second half of the year. In addition, there are still 1,300 to 3,000 asylum seekers from Ukraine every month. The search for sufficient accommodation capacity and reserves is therefore a priority. In the highest scenario, at least 10,000 additional accommodation places are needed. Heated discussions with cantons, municipalities and the army are imminent.
FASTER ASYLUM PROCEDURES: Justice Minister Jans announced measures at the beginning of the year to prevent the mountain of pending asylum applications from growing. For example, the 24-hour procedure to reduce asylum applications from countries of origin with a very low protection rate is to be introduced throughout Switzerland. In addition, the acceptance of asylum applications could be restricted in terms of time and location. In addition, people from countries of origin with a low asylum approval rate will in future be required to submit a written asylum application stating their reasons. The reform package is to be dealt with by the Federal Council in the coming year.
MORE RETURNS: Switzerland is one of the countries in Europe that returns the most people with a negative asylum decision to their home country. It has concluded 66 agreements in the area of returns. Federal Councillor Jans would like to continue this policy. He is aiming for further readmission agreements, migration agreements or migration partnerships.
HEALTH FOR PEOPLE SEEKING PROTECTION: People undergoing asylum procedures already receive medical and psychological care. According to Jans, additional mental health measures are being clarified or piloted. These include low-threshold measures to help asylum seekers better understand and deal with their mental health problems. In addition, new specialized nurses are to be deployed in the federal asylum centers.
FIGHTING EXTREMISM AND TERRORISM: Various laws are already in force to combat terrorism and violent extremism. In addition to the planned ban on the Islamist Palestinian organization Hamas, Justice Minister Jans is planning further measures. For example, the inter-cantonal exchange of police data is to be simplified. Work is also underway at EU level to ensure the so-called interoperability (or networking) of various EU information systems. The Federal Council also intends to adopt the dispatch on the Air Passenger Data Act before the end of this year - an instrument that should help the police and other security authorities to take better action against terrorism and serious crime.
FIGHTING THE MAFIA: Drug cartels, ATM blasts, human trafficking: organized crime does not stop at Switzerland. Prevention, prosecution and cooperation with neighboring countries are intended to combat it. Various reforms are on the agenda in the coming years, such as the federal police information systems, the Anti-Money Laundering Act and the new transparency register.
STRENGTHEN VICTIM ASSISTANCE: The Federal Council and Parliament want to further strengthen medical care for victims of violence, particularly in cases of domestic or sexual violence. The Federal Council is expected to open the consultation on the revision of the Victim Assistance Act in the fall of 2024. This is intended to define the principle of emergency medical care and certain services, such as the preparation of forensic medical documentation. It is also about uniform quality standards for the medical care of victims of violence.
DEEPER PRIVATE DEBT: In future, people in debt should be given a second chance at a debt-free life under certain conditions. This is what Parliament is calling for. The Federal Council is expected to adopt the corresponding dispatch by the end of 2024. In future, debtors with a regular income should be able to take part in simplified debt restructuring proceedings. For hopelessly indebted private individuals, a restructuring procedure under bankruptcy law is on the table.
LESS CONFLICT IN SEPARATIONS: The Federal Council and Parliament are keen to improve family law proceedings in the interests of children. Separation conflicts should be defused with modern family procedural law. The Federal Council is expected to present a report on a possible revision at the beginning of 2025. For example, instruments such as early mediation or arranged counseling for separations and divorces are under discussion.
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