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Swiss vote on tighter asylum laws Swiss 'back tighter asylum laws'
(about 7 hours later)
Swiss voters are going to the polls to decide whether the country should impose more restrictive asylum laws. Swiss voters have backed plans to make it harder for asylum-seekers to get into the country, projections indicate.
The UN says that the measures under consideration in the nationwide referendum could lead to breaches of the Geneva Convention on Refugees. The government says the new legislation will reduce abuse of the asylum system, but the UN says it could lead to breaches of refugees' rights.
The laws include demands for valid identity papers and cuts on welfare for asylum seekers and the detention of rejected applicants until deportation. The laws would require asylum-seekers to have valid identity papers.
The Swiss government says the changes will reduce abuse of its asylum system. They would also cut welfare payments to those whose applications are rejected, and introduce up to two years detention for those awaiting deportation.
The Swiss Refugee Council say the measures are far too strict, especially at a time when the number of people applying for asylum in Switzerland is at its lowest in 20 years.The Swiss Refugee Council say the measures are far too strict, especially at a time when the number of people applying for asylum in Switzerland is at its lowest in 20 years.
"The concrete effects for the persons concerned may be that persecuted persons, real refugees, will be hindered access to the asylum procedure and may even be rejected and returned," Jurg Schertenleib of the Swiss Refugee Council said. "The concrete effects for the persons concerned may be that persecuted persons, real refugees, will be hindered access to the asylum procedure and may even be rejected and returned," Jurg Schertenleib of the council said.
Children's rightsChildren's rights
The BBC's Imogen Foulkes in Berne says that like most western European countries Switzerland is unwilling to have its traditionally generous asylum system exploited. The BBC's Imogen Foulkes in Berne says that like most Western European countries, Switzerland is unwilling to have its traditionally generous asylum system exploited.
And, as in other countries, our correspondent says, there are cases of people applying for asylum who are not fleeing persecution, but simply looking for a better life. And, as in other countries, our correspondent says, there are cases of people applying for asylum who are not fleeing persecution but simply looking for a better life.
Swiss Justice Minister Christoph Blocher, who piloted the legislation, says what he calls the "paradise of Switzerland" just does not have room for everybody.Swiss Justice Minister Christoph Blocher, who piloted the legislation, says what he calls the "paradise of Switzerland" just does not have room for everybody.
His sentiments seem to reflect public opinion, our correspondent says. However, many are concerned that in introducing such strict measures Switzerland will damage its traditional image as a generous and humanitarian country. His sentiments seem to reflect public opinion, our correspondent says, but there are concerns that Switzerland's image abroad will be damaged.
The requirement that asylum seekers present proof of identity within 48 hours has been sharply criticised, with the UN Refugee Agency saying it is common for genuine refugees not to have any means of identification. The requirement that asylum seekers present proof of identity within 48 hours has been sharply criticised, with the UN refugee agency saying it is common for genuine refugees not to have any means of identification.
And opponents say the introduction of up to two years detention for those awaiting deportation, including minors, could violate the UN convention on the rights of the child.And opponents say the introduction of up to two years detention for those awaiting deportation, including minors, could violate the UN convention on the rights of the child.