Number of North Africans seeking asylum in Zurich has fallen sharply
Published: Saturday, Mar 30th 2024, 16:40
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The number of people arriving at the federal asylum center in Zurich from North-West African countries has fallen by 70 percent since the introduction of the new 24-hour procedure. The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) attributes this to the deterrent effect of the new fast-track procedure, which was introduced in Zurich on a trial basis in November.
The number of people from the Maghreb has also fallen by 41 percent in other federal asylum centers in Switzerland since November, reported Swiss Television (SRF) on Saturday, based on figures from the SEM.
However, SEM media spokesperson Daniel Bach said that word is getting around among North Africans that procedures for people from Maghreb countries are now being processed more quickly. This makes it less attractive to come to Switzerland. "People from the Maghreb are very well networked," Bach told the Tagesschau.
Before the introduction of the fast-track procedure in Zurich, around 40 people from north-west African countries came forward every weekend to apply for asylum, said Bach. The weekend before last, only four people had registered, last weekend only one.
The Swiss Refugee Council is skeptical about the procedure itself and its effect. Director Miriam Behrens assumes that the number of asylum applications has decreased due to seasonal fluctuations. "We also see this with people from other countries of origin," she told the TV station.
Only the summer months will show whether the new 24-hour procedure has the desired effect. The faster a procedure is carried out, the greater the risk of wrong decisions.
Jans wants new procedure nationwide
During a visit to the federal asylum center in Chiasso TI in mid-February, Federal Councillor Beat Jans proposed extending the new procedure to all federal asylum centers with a procedural function by the end of April. During a visit to the federal asylum center in Boudry NE a few days ago, Jans said that the procedure would be introduced in Boudry in the coming weeks.
According to Jans, the aim is to be able to conclude asylum applications from people from countries of origin with a low asylum approval rate more quickly. People who have no chance of having their asylum application recognized should no longer submit such an application in Switzerland.
©Keystone/SDA
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