Evacuation and refugees – that’s why over 200 people are waiting for the evacuation in Switzerland – News
contents
The situation in Afghanistan is worrying. Many countries are evacuating their nationals and supporters. What are Switzerland’s plans? Federal editor Oliver Washington explains.
38 local employees who worked for Switzerland in Afghanistan and around 200 relatives of these people are to be evacuated. No evacuation has yet taken place. The problem? Switzerland does not have its own transport aircraft. You have to hope for German or American planes.
They think of their own people first. Switzerland could also have its own flight charter. That is an option that the federal government is currently examining. Meanwhile, the federal government has confirmed that a detachment of the Swiss Army has been sent to Uzbekistan, says Federal House correspondent Oliver Washington.
A detachment of the Swiss Army was transferred to Tashkent in Uzbekistan.
The Department of Foreign Affairs writes on request: “According to the decision of the Federal Council, the Department of Defense supports the Department of Foreign Affairs in evaluating and preparing various evacuation options with army specialists. For this purpose, a detachment of the Swiss Army was relocated to Tashkent in Uzbekistan. For security reasons, we will not disclose any further details. “
Switzerland hesitated too long
Given the difficulties with the evacuations, the question arises whether Switzerland waited too long before distributing visas. «We have to answer yes. But Switzerland is not alone in this. Everyone waited too long, ”said Washington. But that will have to be looked at more closely.
The Justice Department of Federal Councilor Karin Keller-Sutter is responsible for issuing the so-called humanitarian visa. Oliver Washington asked the department why they had not acted earlier.
We see a quiet political conflict that is responsible for the hesitation.
The sending department hesitated for a long time on this question. But when it was clear that we had to act now, Karin Keller-Sutter, the Minister of Justice, did so immediately last week, the Department of Justice replied. “Here we see a quiet political conflict that is responsible for the hesitation,” said Washington.
The political parties have also made their demands, dying far apart. The SP and the Greens are calling for Switzerland to accept 10,000 refugees. According to Oliver Washington, the center and the FDP are also in favor. Only the SVP asks for help on site, but decidedly from contingent refugees.
“If the international community carries out such a program, Switzerland WILL be unable to avoid getting involved,” said the Federal Palace correspondent. The question then becomes how these people get out of Afghanistan, considering the situation at the airport in Kabul.
Pressure on the Federal Council increases
According to today’s information from the UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, not so many have left Afghanistan by land, but the situation is unpredictable. “Exactly such people could be distributed within the framework of contingents,” explains Washington.
The pressure on the Federal Council is increasing. Also with regard to the Afghans in Switzerland. Recognized refugees are allowed to bring their family members to join them. In the case of temporarily admitted people – around 11,000 Afghans in Switzerland – this is more complicated.
Their family members in Afghanistan are to be granted a humanitarian visa for Switzerland. In addition to the left green, this also calls for votes from the center and the FDP.
