Human rights
Appeal Procedure
Appeals against decisions of the State Secretariat of Migration (SEM) to reject or dismiss asylum applications can be filed with the Federal Administrative Court (FAC).
Asylum Law
Over 50 million people worldwide are fleeing from persecution, oppression and threat to life and limb. Only a small portion of them reach Europe and Switzerland.
Asylum Seekers
All asylum seekers receive a document certifying their presence in Switzerland, known as the N-Permit.
Bericht über Hotspots in Italien
DAWES - Dismiss an Application Without Entering into the Substance of the Case
A decision to dismiss an asylum application means the authorities will not examine it in depth.
Dublin returnees caught between law and harsh reality in the search for safety
The Danish Refugee Council and the Swiss Refugee Council have published a joint report regarding the situation of persons with special reception needs transferred to Italy under the Dublin III Regulation. The report focuses on reception conditions and access to the asylum procedure. It shows that persons with special reception needs are at risk of human rights violations due to the arbitrariness of the Italian reception system.
Dublin returnees caught between law and harsh reality in the search for safety
The Danish Refugee Council and the Swiss Refugee Council have published a joint report regarding the situation of persons with special reception needs transferred to Italy under the Dublin III Regulation. The report focuses on reception conditions and access to the asylum procedure. It shows that persons with special reception needs are at risk of human rights violations due to the arbitrariness of the Italian reception system.
EU-Abschottung: Flucht ist kein Verbrechen
Emergency Assistance
According to the Federal Constitution of the Swiss Confederation (Federal Constitution), asylum seekers who are rejected in a decision not to grant them asylum or in a decision to dismiss their application and who must leave Switzerland have a guaranteed right to obtain emergency aid until their departure.
Eviter la persécution en adoptant un comportement discret?
Hardship Case
Asylum seekers, dismissed asylum seekers and temporarily admitted individuals who constitute a case of serious personal hardship can receive a residence permit from the canton in which they are living.
Humanitarian Visas
Only a very small number of humanitarian visas are currently being issued in Switzerland. Here you will find all the important information on humanitarian visas.
Il n'y a pas de réfugié-e-s climatiques
International Law
Internationally binding norms in international law limit the freedom of action of the signatory states in dealing with persons in need of protection.
La Confédération mise sur l’intimidation plutôt que sur des solutions
La protezione dei richiedenti asilo in Italia tra dirit-to e cruda realtà
Legal Status
Persons who have lodged an application for asylum in Switzerland obtain a different legal status depending on the outcome of the asylum procedure. Foreign nationals are entitled to certain rights based on their status.
Les requérant-e-s d’asile dans l’espace public
L’OSAR exige de renoncer aux renvois vers la Hongrie
L’OSAR soutient l’Alliance de la société civile
Obstacles to Removal
The rejection of an asylum application does not automatically mean that the person has to leave Switzerland.
Plus de 38 000 signatures pour les réfugiés
Return
Persons whose asylum application was rejected are obligated to leave Switzerland. We are committed our support to ensure that the persons concerned can return to their native country safely and with dignity.
Social Aid Representation
Staff from the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) asks asylum seekers to explain the reason that they fled. The Asylum Act stipulates that these hearings be conducted in the presence of a representative from a recognised social aid organisation (Art. 30 AsylA).
Unbegleitete minderjährige Asylsuchende