Baume-Schneider travels to Italy for consultation

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Since December, Italy has refused to take back refugees for whom it is responsible for seeking asylum under the Dublin Convention. With this, Italy appears to be violating EU law. The country has no absorption capacity, the right-wing populist government of Giorgia Meloni (46) justifies the Italian position. With this, our Italy is scratching a main principle of EU refugee policy.

Federal Councilor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider (59) is now traveling to Rome. There will be a debate on European policy on 31 May, her department Blick confirms. The Swiss Minister of Justice is received by the Italian Minister of the Interior Matteo Piantedosi (60).

At the meeting, the Swiss Federal Council wants to address, among other things, the migration situation and Italy’s suspension of Dublin withdrawals. Another topic is possible financial support from Switzerland for migration projects in Italy, according to her department.

More than 300 cases affected

Switzerland is currently unable to repatriate around 320 people, although Italy would be responsible as the country of entry under the Dublin Agreement. In about 70 cases, responsibility has now passed to Switzerland because six months have passed.

All political parties in Switzerland are extremely dissatisfied with the situation. Worry and anger are particularly great in Ticino. Central politician Marco Romano (40) chairs the state political commission responsible for asylum issues. He has already demanded that Federal Councilor Baume-Schneider visit Italy and conduct political negotiations.

Accordingly, he welcomes the upcoming trip of the SP Bundesrat, saying when asked: “You must make it clear in Italy that we are very affected by this decision due to our geographical location.” Many refugees cross the Swiss border on their way to Germany or France. “It cannot be that we suffer because the EU countries have a problem with each other.”

Outsourcing is “not feasible” for the federal government

SVP chairman Maro Chiesa (48) had even called for the deportation of illegal asylum seekers to an African country because of Italy’s shutdown. He referred to the example of Great Britain, which wants to bring asylum seekers to Rwanda. Asylum applications should in future be processed in Rwanda and not in Britain. This is to discourage people from crossing the English Channel to the island.

The Federal Council promptly responded to Chiesa’s suggestion. He does not consider this idea realistic.

Source:Blick