SWITZERLAND: Switzerland is preparing for a referendum next week on tightening asylum and immigration rules

Swiss will next week vote on new immigration laws week, suggesting tougher measures for immigrants seeking asylum in the country. With immigration ranking as a top worry for voters across Europe, opinion polls suggest that some 55% of Swiss will back the law changes, which have been approved by both the federal government and parliament. Under the new laws, asylum seekers must present a passport within 48 hours. In the past, the authorities had often accepted documents such as drivers' licences as a proof of identification. Under the new law, refusal to return or lack of cooperation with immigration officials, such as not revealing the country of origin, can lead to detention of up to two years. A separate "foreigners" law draws a line between job-seekers from the European Union and non-EU Switzerland's allies within the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and those from outside the two blocks. The latter will only be accepted if they have special skills. Days before the referendum will take place, 'Yes' and 'No' banners can be seen in the streets of Geneva. As the rich country is preparing for the referendums, Bazu, an asylum seeker from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), believes tougher rules won't stop the desperate and the poor from trying to come to Europe. Along with two other Africans, one from DRC and the other from neighbouring Congo Brazaville, Bazu says such legislation would not help stem immigration. "I think this new legislation will unfortunately encourage clandestine immigration, which Swiss authorities claim they are fighting. I think it's not an appropriate solution". The group of asylum seekers, who gave very little information about their identity, believe the laws could lead to more illegal entry to the country because the asylum door - the route - was shutting tighter. "Migratory flow should be dealt with differently. Western countries should solve the problem at its roots by helping developing countries to be self sufficient, be able to educate their own technicians, create their own structures, so they can offer to their youths a better future. What is done now will not stop people from coming. How I don't know but they'll find any way to come", Bazu added. The changes to the asylum rules have drawn fierce criticism from the political left and religious leaders, who say that they threaten neutral Switzerland's humanitarian tradition and its reputation for tolerance. "We're setting much higher barriers than Europe is, although we're all foreigners here. I arrived here last century, but I used to be a foreigner, I was received," says Pierre, a Geneva resident. "On one hand if someone really needs help because he has difficulties in his country, then we should keep him, but there are many who take advantage of state aids, sit down and do nothing, they don't work. And then my children, who have Swiss nationality and pay taxes, they can't find any jobs", former immigrant and Swiss voter Maria said. Geneva is home to the International Committee of the Red Cross and numerous humanitarian organisations.

ITN Source | September 21, 2006

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