Federal Council does not want to expand mobile border protection
Published: Thursday, Aug 15th 2024, 10:50
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Members of all six parliamentary groups in the National Council want to strengthen the protection of the Swiss border. The Federal Council waves them away: the current situation- and risk-based controls are sufficient.
The demand for an expansion of border protection is a recurring political issue, particularly from the SVP. A motion submitted by Vaud SVP National Councillor Yvan Pahud in June is supported by members of all six parliamentary groups in the National Council. Pahud calls for the guarantee of "permanent border protection".
According to the text of the motion, the Federal Council should amend the legislation to ensure permanent protection of the country's borders. To this end, a sufficient number of mobile patrols from the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (FOCBS) must be available at all times and control of the most important border crossings must be guaranteed.
The petitioner justifies his request, for example, by citing the increase in ATM break-ins by foreign gangs. In addition, cross-border crime and terrorist threats are on the rise. The BAZG should therefore make greater use of members of the Swiss Armed Forces in future.
The Federal Council recommends rejecting the motion, as can be seen from its statement published on Thursday. Customs checks are already carried out "on all days, at all times". Around 3,500 BAZG employees carry out both stationary checks at busy border crossings and mobile checks in the border area. The operations were carried out based on the situation and risk.
In addition, the Border Guard is already using electronic aids - such as 400 cameras - to monitor traffic efficiently and in a resource-saving manner. The cantonal police corps supplemented the system. Overall, there is a "high surveillance density".
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