Italy has closed its borders. Because new migrants from the Mediterranean are constantly arriving, the new government Giorgia Meloni (45) has stopped taking back Dublin refugees since shortly before Christmas. Switzerland is currently unable to repatriate 184 people, although Italy would be responsible as the country of entry under the Dublin agreement. The migration situation is also tense in this country.
The Dublin states involved were told that the admission freeze would end after the holidays. But hope was disappointed. The Secretariat of State for Migration (SEM) expected Italy to take back the refugees from Dublin by January 6, spokesman Samuel Wyss told Blick. “This expectation is shared by other affected Dublin states.”
Switzerland must continue to be patient
But even these hopes have been dashed. Switzerland must continue to be patient. “The European Commission and Switzerland are in contact with the Italian authorities,” says SEM spokesperson Wyss. “It can be assumed that the admission freeze will be lifted soon.” The Swiss authorities seem to be only able to make a fist in a pocket.
Still, the SEM tries to keep the ball flat. The term for transferring Dublin cases is six months in any case. A short freeze on Italy’s admissions is therefore manageable. The relevant items could then be transferred. In addition, Switzerland could in any case continue to submit Dublin readmission requests.
“The asylum system has failed”
However, on a political level, the admission freeze in Italy caused red heads. “The asylum system has failed,” grumbled SVP chairman Marco Chiesa (48). The unilateral breach of contract by the new Italian government clearly shows that the Schengen-Dublin system is not working. The external borders of the EU are still not sufficiently protected.
SVP President Chiesa had even demanded that asylum seekers who had entered the country illegally be deported to an African country. He referred to the example of Great Britain, which has concluded an agreement with Rwanda. Asylum applications must from now on be processed in Rwanda and not in Great Britain. This is to discourage people from crossing the English Channel to the island.
For its part, the Federal Council considers such plans unrealistic for Switzerland. He will have to wait for Italy to take over the refugees from Dublin.