Refugee, Asylum Justice Minister does not rule out asylum procedures in third countries

Justice Minister Beat Jans considers the outsourcing of asylum procedures to third countries to be sensible "under certain conditions". The rule of law and human rights must be guaranteed, as Jans said in an interview.

Under these conditions, asylum procedures in third countries could be "more expedient than people taking the risk of drowning in the Mediterranean", said Jans in an interview with "Schweiz am Wochenende" published on Saturday. In order to guarantee the rule of law and human rights, Swiss personnel must carry out the procedures on site in cooperation with other states.

A few days ago, Jans said he had a meeting with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi. The head of the Federal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP) said that what he had said - that procedures make sense under certain conditions - was also his conviction.

UK asylum pact not an option

However, asylum procedures similar to those of Great Britain with Rwanda, for example, are not possible. It is not possible to "simply send money and refugees and believe that the problem has been solved", said the SP Federal Councillor. A migration policy is needed that includes the entire chain of refugees.

The former Conservative government in the UK concluded an asylum pact with Rwanda, which the new Labor government under Prime Minister Keir Stramer overturned at the beginning of July. The agreement stipulated that people who entered the UK irregularly should no longer be given the opportunity to apply for asylum. Instead, they were to be taken to Rwanda regardless of their origin and apply for asylum there. A return to the UK was not envisaged.

"Surprising" statement

Schweiz am Wochenende" described Jans' latest statement as "surprising". At the beginning of the year, the Federal Council had requested the adoption of a postulate requiring it to draw up a report on the subject of asylum procedures and deportations to third countries. The report should examine compatibility with Swiss law and international obligations.

"This does not mean that the Federal Council wants to outsource asylum procedures and enable returns to third countries," said the Minister of Justice in February. The national government was of the opinion that asylum procedures abroad are not feasible for legal as well as practical reasons.

SDA