BERNE - A change occurred in Switzerland in the treatment of Eritreans pushes many of those who were rejected to file a complaint.Since the end of June, the Secretary of State for Migration (SEM) refers those who indicate as the reason for fleeing their country the simple departure abroad, an act considered illegal in Eritrea.
Since the entry into force of this measure, Switzerland has proceeded to the repatriation of at least 70 people, 18 of them minors, as reported today by the NZZ am Sonntag, who questioned a dozen private and public organizations.
The figures collected in the journalistic investigation are considered "credible" by Martin Reichlin, spokesman for the SEM, by the ATS contact.
Most of the legal briefs defending asylum seekers were forwarded to the Federal Administrative Court and several of them relate to minors.
The situation of some Eritreans who voluntarily return to their country seems to have improved; SEM officials went back to Eritrea in February / March and according to a new assessment of those within their full will no longer incur prison sentences of up to five years in prison.
Those aspiring to return must always pay the so-called "diaspora tax", equivalent to 2% of income, the Eritrean embassy. For those who have not fulfilled their obligation to serve, it is recommended to sign a declaration of guilt.
These changes correspond to new directives issued in Eritrea, but they are not published and therefore there is no legal security. At the time of presentation of the report, last June, the SEM had predicted that it would lead to the departure of several hundred Eritreans, but everything will depend on the outcome of the appeal, including for minors, whose return must comply with conditions contained in the Convention of the rights of the child, which Switzerland has signed.
In it it is stated that the child is welcomed on his return from a family or a foyer. Guarantees that Switzerland can get from Eritrea, however, are fragile and sensitive issue is in the hands of the Federal Administrative Court, which is expected the decision on appeals.