Switzerland resumes transfers of asylum seekers to Italy

After almost four years of blockade, Switzerland resumes transfers of asylum seekers arriving from our country to Italy. "The first flights have been booked" confirmed Magdalena Baker, spokesperson for the State Secretariat for Migration (Sem), to Swiss German TV, explaining that the practice will begin again at the end of August and that at the moment these are only isolated cases. The Sem agreed with the Italian authorities that the recovery should take place gradually: "It is in Switzerland's interest that the recovery is managed in a way that is sustainable for both parties, so that the system functions sustainably and is not overloaded."

As the Swiss TV RSI writes, in December 2022, shortly after the inauguration of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Italy had blocked all readmissions of asylum seekers. The fact that Italy is now in principle open to readmissions again is linked to the new European Pact on Migration and Asylum. A pact that came into force on June 12th which provides Italy and other countries of arrival for asylum seekers with financial support and other relief. But only if countries fulfill their obligations.

Rome intends, however, to readmit only asylum seekers who arrived after 12 June, therefore after the entry into force of the pact. As regards Switzerland, the first repatriations concern asylum seekers who arrived after 12 June. "The new procedures must first be tested on the basis of current cases", explains Sem spokeswoman Magdalena Baker, underlining that she has not concluded any agreement with Italy that excludes asylum seekers who arrived before 12 June from repatriation.