Swiss voters have overwhelmingly backed a controversial move to tighten asylum restrictions amid a spike in the number of refugees in the country.
Almost 80% of voters approved changes made to the asylum law last September, final results of a referendum said.
Under the new rules military desertion is no longer a reason for granting asylum, and people cannot now apply through Swiss foreign embassies.
About 48,000 people are in the process of seeking asylum in Switzerland.
The BBC's Imogen Foulkes, in Geneva, says Switzerland has a long tradition of generosity towards asylum seekers - its proportion of refugees per head of population is twice the European average.
But the number of asylum seekers is rising sharply and is at its highest in a decade. Full story...
Related posts:
Almost 80% of voters approved changes made to the asylum law last September, final results of a referendum said.
Under the new rules military desertion is no longer a reason for granting asylum, and people cannot now apply through Swiss foreign embassies.
About 48,000 people are in the process of seeking asylum in Switzerland.
The BBC's Imogen Foulkes, in Geneva, says Switzerland has a long tradition of generosity towards asylum seekers - its proportion of refugees per head of population is twice the European average.
But the number of asylum seekers is rising sharply and is at its highest in a decade. Full story...
Related posts:
- Switzerland to restrict immigration despite EU anger...
- Desperate for work: European immigrants struggle in Switzerland...
- Jobless Europeans flock to Switzerland, end up in shelters...
- Switzerland's booming population and xenophobia...
- 50% of Swiss say there are too many foreigners in Switzerland, but...
- Foreigners alarmed by Swiss expulsion vote...
- Hard-hit Europeans flocking to Switzerland, not really welcomed...
No comments:
Post a Comment