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- The Federal Council is tasked with working at the European level for refugees in the Aegean islands. After the National Council, the Council of States also accepted the corresponding proposal on Wednesday with 34 to 7 votes.
- At the same time, the state government should support a reform of the Dublin Agreement at the European level. The goal of this is to distribute refugees more equitably and uniformly across states.
Thomas Minder (independent / SH) argued in vain that the Dublin system had not functioned for a long time and that Greece had already received sufficient financial resources to serve those seeking protection.
Justice Minister Karin Keller-Sutter said that, based on the provisions in force in Dublin, Switzerland had promised Greece the speedy admission of unaccompanied minor asylum seekers (UMAs) with family connections in Switzerland. “The children and young people we host must be able to demonstrate a minimal connection to Switzerland,” said the Federal Councilor.
Although deliveries in Dublin are currently suspended, 22 minors have been granted immediate entry. In addition, the Agency for Development and Cooperation (Humanitarian Aid) has provided additional funding for UN projects and other aid organizations.
It would also fund immediate measures against the spread of the coronavirus and to improve health in accommodation structures.
Switzerland is committed to helping
Switzerland’s criticism of not being sufficiently committed to refugees, which was voiced by the left in the Council of States, did not go unnoticed by the head of the FDJP. You can criticize Switzerland, she said, but you have to see the full dimension of aid. When it comes to refugees, Switzerland does not focus on an EU country, but on Iraq and Syria.
Karin Keller-Sutter is behind Switzerland’s humanitarian commitment: “The policy of the Federal Council has always been to eliminate those who need more protection in resettlement programs, unlike other countries.” There are countries that classify the people who host them according to their qualifications. “Switzerland does not do that. We take care of traumatized people, we take care of children and we do it consciously. “
Help on site too
Switzerland also sent specialists to Greece to help establish a new camp after the fire in Moria. “The water supply for 10,000 people in the new camp will be ensured by the Swiss side,” said the Federal Councilor.
The motion to implement it now goes to the Federal Council.
