Federal Councillor Baume-Schneider visits federal asylum center in Chiasso
Published: Monday, Nov 6th 2023, 16:51
Updated At: Tuesday, Nov 7th 2023, 00:54
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The head of the Federal Department of Justice and Police, Elisabeth Baume-Schneider, promised measures to improve the situation in the asylum center in Chiasso on Monday. Cantonal and local authorities are calling for a security concept for the local communities.
Mendrisiotto is currently accommodating around 600 refugees in the two asylum centers in Chiasso and Pasture. However, an upper limit of 350 asylum seekers was agreed with Baume-Schneider's predecessor Simonetta Sommaruga, the mayor of Chiasso, Bruno Arrigoni, told the media.
The coexistence of Ticino residents and asylum seekers in the municipalities of Chiasso, Balerna and Novazzano has been marred by numerous unpleasant incidents, continued Arrigoni.
Chiasso is home to 40 percent well-integrated foreigners, but this coexistence is now being put to the test. Since the beginning of the year, the Chiasso police have been called out 570 times. That's around two call-outs per day, Arrigoni calculated.
The mayor of Balerna, Luca Pagani, also called for a security concept. There had been an increase in thefts from houses and cars in the region in recent months. The Mendrisiotto is a hospitable region, but the asylum center is now perceived as a threat. The relationship between asylum seekers and the population needs to be "repaired".
Baume-Schneider promises "analysis"
Federal Councillor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider remained extremely vague in her statements to the media. She could not make any promises; first she had to carefully analyze the situation. The exchange with the cantonal and communal authorities had been "open" and she had "listened and understood".
A "clear message" is now needed, but the Federal Councillor did not say what this might look like. She has spoken to representatives of the local communities about possible patrols by private security companies. However, nothing has been decided yet.
Baume-Schneider reminded the audience that the asylum situation is tense throughout Switzerland. Furthermore, it should not be forgotten that the majority of asylum seekers behave correctly.
When asked by a member of the media whether she would like to live in Chiasso herself, the Federal Councillor replied in the affirmative with a beaming smile. Baume-Schneider said that she would like to live in Chiasso, and not just because of the temperature. Ticino is a "region of solidarity".
De Rosa calls for new distribution key
Raffaele De Rosa (center), President of the Ticino cantonal government, pointed out the recent increase in illegal entries at the Ticino border. These would further fuel the feeling of insecurity. Unlawful acts against women and vulnerable people would put peaceful coexistence in Ticino to the test.
The federal government must revise the distribution formula for asylum seekers. Like Arrigoni, De Rosa also called for disciplinary measures to be taken against refugees who do not comply with the law.
Since early summer, local and cantonal authorities have been calling for an improvement in the situation inside and outside the federal asylum centers in Mendrisiotto. The head of the Ticino Department of Justice and Police, Norman Gobbi (Lega), sent a letter to Federal Councillor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider calling on her to take "swift and consistent measures".
©Keystone/SDA
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