End the violence against refugees now!
Dramatic pictures are reaching us from the Greek-Turkish border, where thousands of refugees have been converging and becoming stranded under precarious conditions since Turkey opened its borders in late February. Reports are that the Greek police are using tear gas as well as physical violence to stop refugees crossing the border. No asylum applications can be submitted, as the Greek Government announced a one-month suspension of the right of asylum in early March.
Implement the right of asylum
Under international law, refugees are guaranteed the right to file an asylum application in another country. Under EU asylum law, which is also binding on Greece, no-one may be turned away without having their case examined individually. HEKS/EPER is urging the Federal Council to work with the EU to ensure the enforcement of existing asylum law and the immediate cessation of violence against refugees at the EU's external borders. Switzerland too bears its share of responsibility in the fair distribution of people seeking protection across the countries in Europe and in allowing refugees to enter Switzerland to have their asylum application examined. The requisite structures already exist in the form of the new federal asylum centres.
imago images/Xinhua
