As we have learnt from two individuals affected, Swiss police authorities use an enormous amount of violence during forced deportations. From the perspective of lawyers and Swiss human rights organisations, the authorities are thereby committing massive violations of Swiss and international law. Furthermore, in at least two cases, they have put the lives of those affected at serious risk. Augenauf shares this assessment and has informed the relevant authorities (including the commander of the Zurich cantonal police and the National Commission for the Prevention of Torture, NKVF).

Both Somali nationals who were mistreated during their deportation have filed criminal complaints in Switzerland against their tormentors.

Now another Somali national, who is particularly vulnerable, is under immediate threat of forcible deportation. The man is due to be deported to Mogadishu via Istanbul on Thursday, 10 September (scheduled arrival 08.40). Around two weeks ago, through no fault of his own, he was seriously injured by two violent flatmates in the underground asylum accommodation to which he had been assigned by the authorities. He suffered multiple skull fractures, a traumatic brain injury and injuries to his eyes. Shortly afterwards, he underwent surgery at the University Hospital of Zurich. Two further operations were scheduled for the week of 7 September, but these were prevented by the Swiss authorities.

The relevant Somali authority, the Immigration and Citizenship Agency, has issued the man with a provisional travel document (laissez-passer) without taking into account the state of health of the individual concerned, who was attacked and seriously injured whilst in a Swiss institution.

Furthermore, the person pictured on the provisional travel document does not resemble the individual concerned. The man’s lawyer has demanded that the deportation be suspended. He is the father of three children who live in Europe and has been in Switzerland for 11 years.

Switzerland’s ‘carrot and stick’ strategy towards Somalia

The Somali Immigration and Citizenship Agency receives massive financial support and travel privileges from Switzerland. For instance, Switzerland supplied computers and scanners to the agency and invited staff to attend training courses in Switzerland. At the same time, however, and following the EU’s lead,

Switzerland tightened its visa regulations regarding Somalia and Guinea in August as a means of exerting pressure, justifying this by stating that it was to "further optimise cooperation on the readmission of citizens required to leave the country”. This policy can only be described as a ‘carrot and stick’ strategy.

Augenauf urgently calls on the Somali authorities to insist that Switzerland strictly respects the human rights of its citizens and to refuse to readmit any sick or injured persons. We also urge the Somali authorities to refuse the readmission of anyone who has been mistreated during deportation.

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