Aargau parliament wants special center for asylum-seekers
Published: Tuesday, Sep 24th 2024, 17:00
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The canton of Aargau is to create a special center for asylum seekers. These people are to be massively restricted in their freedom of movement. On Tuesday, the Grand Council referred a corresponding FDP motion to the cantonal government by 82 votes to 48.
The SVP and the Center Party also spoke out in favour of the motion by FDP councillor Adrian Schoop. Schoop said that creating a special cantonal center was the right way to go. You could take these people off the streets and increase security.
It was about petty criminals, said a Mitte spokesperson. The situation was detrimental to the sense of security. His party had already submitted a similar proposal nine years ago, said an SVP councillor. The population was extremely worried. The GLP was divided.
The SP, Greens and EPP spoke out against the demand. It was a case of "showmanship", stated an SP councillor. It was unclear how much such accommodation would cost and how many staff would be needed. The Greens spoke of "symbolic activism".
Jean-Pierre Gallati (SVP), the cantonal councillor responsible, spoke out against the demand. He pointed out that a location for such a center could hardly be found in the canton. Such a center would also be ten times more expensive than a regular center.
There are already cantonal legal bases for restricting the freedom of movement of recalcitrant asylum seekers. For example, the time and place of exit can be restricted.
Parliament wants shackles
In August, the cantonal parliament had already passed a motion by FDP councillor Schoop for ankle bracelets and tracking devices for asylum seekers with criminal convictions by 72 votes to 59. The government council rejected the demand.
The canton has no legislative powers in this area. According to the cantonal government, implementation will prove to be very time-consuming without increasing security in the canton in any relevant area.
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