Asylum boss wants to take action: No permit for Eritrea festivals with risk of violence

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The rioters’ willingness to use violence surprised the police. Last Saturday, Eritreans attacked officers in Stuttgart, southern Germany, sometimes with wooden slats filled with nails, stones or iron bars. 27 police officers were injured and 228 people were arrested, including 63 Eritreans who had traveled from Switzerland.

The riots took place during an event organized by an Eritrean association loyal to the regime. In recent weeks, violent clashes have occurred in many countries between supporters and opponents of the regime. Also in Switzerland.

“Red line” crossed

For Christine Schraner Burgener (59), head of the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM), a “red line” has been crossed, she told the Tamedia newspapers. “As a citizen of this country, it deeply bothers me when this conflict, which has nothing to do with Switzerland, is carried out by force on our territory.”

The State Secretary wants events where there is a risk of riots to no longer be approved in the future. She wants to safeguard this together with the responsible authorities. The targets are events organized by regime supporters that are called ‘cultural festivals’ but actually serve propaganda purposes to raise money for the regime.

SP-Fehr called for the protection status to be lifted

Such an event took place in eastern Switzerland in early September. The two opposing camps then traveled to Opfikon in Zurich, where they fought a massive brawl. Zurich safety director Mario Fehr (65) then announced that he would forward the names of those responsible to the SEM. “There is no reason why Eritreans loyal to the regime in Switzerland should continue to enjoy protected status,” the SP politician told the “Neue Zürcher Zeitung”.

According to Schraner Burgener, the SEM has already received “certain information” from Zurich. The head of the asylum emphasizes that the rioters form a small minority. The vast majority of Eritreans in Switzerland behave appropriately. (lha)

Source:Blick