With the Taliban having seized power in Afghanistan, the City of Geneva calls on Bern to take immediate action by issuing humanitarian visas to enable those in danger to be welcomed to Switzerland.
With the Afghan President, Ashraf Ghani, having left his country and Taliban troops entering Kabul, it is a matter of urgency that Switzerland take action to enable those people fleeing their homes to find a country of asylum. The City of Geneva calls on the Confederation to implement a facilitated procedure enabling those people wishing to leave Afghanistan to benefit from an initial humanitarian visa.
As for Afghan citizens living in the Switzerland, the City applauds the Confederation’s decision to suspend all repatriations, but asks it to re-examine the decisions to refuse requests for asylum.
Rapid action is required. Thousands of people are currently under the yoke of forces who do not consider women as being equal to men, who impose sharia as the sole law, who do not respect religious minorities and who threaten the equilibrium in one of the world’s strategic regions.
Proud of its tradition of welcoming people from other countries, home to numerous international organisations and the birthplace of the Red Cross, Switzerland cannot simply stand by and watch as an appalling tragedy unfolds in Afghanistan. Furthermore, the City of Geneva is a member of the alliance of cities and municipalities which are fundamentally committed to welcoming additional refugees to Switzerland.
The City of Geneva therefore calls on the Confederation to act quickly in order to offer numerous people – and in particular women, children and anyone whose future is threatened by the Taliban taking power – hope for a brighter future.
Contact
Ms Frédérique Perler, Mayor of Geneva, by contacting Josefine Trebeljahr, responsible for the Information and Communication Unit, on 079 409 35 38, @email
Article modifié le 19.08.2021 à 10:52