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Following harsh European policies against migrants and refugees, the Swiss government announced Friday it may implement new legislation that would force refugees to hand over cash and valuables to authorities to help pay for their upkeep. This kind of practice has been previously posited by countries like Denmark.
Refugees arriving in the Alpine nation will have to turn over any assets they possess worth more than 1,000 Swiss francs (US$997), according to an information sheet for refugees states, as cited by Reuters.
The announcement has been widely criticized by human rights and migrant organizations that have call it “undignified,” especially coming from the world's ninth richest country.
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It's kicking off between @SaveDenmark & @SaveSwitzerland - poverty driving both to compete for refugees' cash. https://t.co/ea197fgqIQ
— Andrew Stroehlein (@astroehlein)
January 15, 2016
Switzerland will discuss this legislation in coming days in parliament, which is ruled by the ultraconservative and anti-immigration Swiss People’s party that won tlast October’s parliamentary elections, amid a number of asylum seekers from the Middle East and North Africa to Europe.
Remember, refugees: Every time you donate to #SaveSwitzerland, a bell rings in heaven for you. pic.twitter.com/uu1DdK9Jp6
— Save Switzerland (@SaveSwitzerland)
January 15, 2016
The International Migration Organization’s chief of mission in Bern, Pier Rossi Longhi, told teleSUR English that if the proposal is passed it will not be implemented in the short-term.
He argued that the Swiss government is being cautious, as it believes it cannot receive many more migrants.
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Longhi also explained that Switzerland is a very attractive country for migrants, who can apply for refugee status under the Dublin System, a law that says the country must review the applications of those seeking international protection. Although Switzerland is not part of the EU, it has been part of this convention since 2008. In fact, international law states that all countries are bound by such an obligation.
The Swiss government has traditionally had a friendly attitude toward migrants. However, in 2014 the Swiss voted for a controversial referendum against mass migration that received 50.3 percent approval.
The popular initiative followed a campaign by conservative politicians, who warned about the rising numbers of immigrants entering Switzerland: some 80,000 a year, according to them.
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The IOM chief told teleSUR that every country receiving immigrants should provide them the best treatment.
According to official figures last year, over 1 million refugees and migrants fled to Europe by sea, many on board dangerously inadequate vessels.
