 |
Compared to April 2022, this number increased by 383 units. The most represented countries were Turkey and Afghanistan. Furthermore, during the month under review, 1,209 individuals who left Ukraine received S protection status. This was reported by the Swiss newspaper Le Canton27.ch.
Afghanistan and Turkey are welcome... But "missing" are the Kosovars...
In April 2023, Switzerland received 1,651 asylum applications, which is 242 fewer than the previous month (-12.8%). The main countries of origin for asylum applicants in Switzerland in April were Turkey (412 applications, 41 more than in March), Afghanistan (279 applications, -89), Eritrea (132 applications, -66), Syria (98 applications, -2), and Morocco (94 applications, -72).
In April, 1,651 asylum applications were made. For the first time in 20 years, Kosovars are "missing"... The reasons for this "absence," according to the Swiss State Secretariat for Migration in Bern (SEM) in an interview with the Swiss newspaper Le Canton27.ch, are explained as follows: "In recent years, despite the fact that Kosovo is considered a 'safe country' for Switzerland, there have been thousands of asylum requests every year. However, in recent months, there has been a noticeable decline in the interest of Kosovars, which is a good thing as positive changes, progress, and stability in the region are observed."
Out of the 1,651 asylum applications submitted in April, 1,300 were initial applications (March 2023: 1,429). Individuals submitting initial applications do so independently of others who have already applied for protection. The individuals who submitted such applications in April 2023 were mainly from Turkey (326 applications, +57), Afghanistan (261 applications, -76), Morocco (92 applications, -73), Algeria (79 applications, -29), and Syria (55 applications, +16). Secondary applications, on the other hand, follow previously registered asylum applications (e.g., birth, family reunification, or multiple requests).
Asylum applications are resolved at the first instance.
In April 2023, the State Secretariat for Migration processed 2,035 asylum applications. Out of these, 714 resulted in decisions not to enter into the matter (including 606 based on the Dublin Agreement), 385 for the granting of asylum, and 621 for temporary admission at the first instance. The number of unresolved cases at the first instance is 11,780, which is 192 fewer than the previous month.
Departures
Also in April, 1,317 people left Switzerland under the supervision of authorities and returned to their country of origin or to a third country. Switzerland requested that other Dublin states take care of 753 applicants. At the same time, 127 people were transferred to the responsible Dublin state for the examination of their asylum application. Switzerland, on its part, received 264 requests for care from other Dublin states, and 26 individuals were transferred to its territory.
Ukraine: S protection status (special procedure)
On March 12, 2022, the Federal Council activated the S protection status for the first time to allow Switzerland to accept people from Ukraine in need of protection.
In April 2023, 1,460 individuals applied for S status at a federal center for asylum seekers. During the same period, this status was granted to 1,209 individuals, and it was refused to 46 others who did not meet the criteria.