They left Russia by the tens of thousands. Since ruler Vladimir Putin, 70, called for partial mobilization in September, men of all ages have been fleeing to avoid being killed in the war in Ukraine. Those caught risk draconian punishments.
Germany has already opened up to accepting Russian conscientious objectors. “Deserters who do not want to participate in the war in Ukraine usually receive international protection,” says Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (52).
Deserters can apply for visas…
The Federal Council around Minister of Justice Karin Keller-Sutter (58), on the other hand, is much more reserved. In his response to a request from SP council member Céline Widmer (44), he points out that the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) is aware of the “difficult situation of deserters and conscientious objectors in Russia”. They would also have the right to apply for a visa at a Swiss representation for humanitarian reasons.
At the same time, the state government points out that the chances of success for Russian deserters are extremely small, even during the raging war in Ukraine. The person concerned must be in a particular emergency which makes official intervention absolutely necessary and justifies the issuance of an entry visa. She must be “seriously and concretely in mortal danger” in her country of origin.
… but have little chance of success
For the Federal Council, this is not the case for most Russian conscientious objectors, as it clarifies. The high requirements for a humanitarian visa are “usually not met if someone claims to have been called up for military service one day”. In addition, a connection between the person and Switzerland is assumed. And the Federal Council does not want to change this visa practice at this time.
However, so far there has been no influx of Russian asylum seekers in Switzerland. According to the SEM, only 26 people from Russia applied for asylum in October. In September there were 31 applications and in August 18. In the months before, only between 10 and 20 asylum applications were reported.
Not interested in increasing numbers
The Bundesrat leaves little doubt that it has no interest whatsoever in changing this development. On the contrary: with the usual ways of applying for asylum, “Switzerland is doing its part to meet the challenges that arose during the Russian partial mobilization,” says the state government.