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Switzerland has announced a significant tightening of travel restrictions for asylum seekers. Under a new decision by the government, such individuals will generally no longer be allowed to travel to their home countries or to other states.
Only in exceptional cases may authorities grant permission, the government confirmed on Wednesday, October 22nd.
The government noted that further clarification is needed before the new travel rules can take effect, including defining what constitutes “personal reasons” sufficient to approve a trip and determining under what circumstances return journeys may be permitted for preparing a permanent departure.
Austrian right-wing party FPÖ called the Swiss decision “absolutely right,” adding that “those seeking protection certainly do not need to travel to the country from which they are seeking protection.”
The Swiss move contrasts sharply with recent developments in Germany, where the government earlier this year allowed Syrian refugees to travel to Syria on holiday without losing their protection status.
The controversial measure was described as “absurd” by the centre-right Christian Social Union (CSU).
German media revealed last year that thousands of Afghan citizens who had claimed asylum in Germany flew back to their home country for holidays and then returned to Germany.
