Sunday January 17, 2016
By Rick Noack
Migrants walk in Europe. (REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger)
LONDON — Only days ago, the U.N. refugee agency (UNHCR) sharply criticized Denmark for an immigration bill that includes a series of changes that would allow police officers to seize valuables from refugees. The agency feared the bill "could fuel fear, xenophobia."
Now, the Geneva-based organization might have to focus its criticism on the country where it is based: Switzerland. The nation also allows state authorities to seize cash and valuables from refugees, several media organizations reported on Thursday and Friday. The little-known practice has been part of the country's asylum law for almost two decades, according to Germany's Sueddeutsche Zeitung newspaper.
Denmark's current debate on a similar law had led to international criticism, but Switzerland's practice started to make headlines only after the country's public broadcaster reported on the case of a refugee who entered the country with about $2,000. Consequently, $1,000 were seized by authorities. The TV station aired a copy of a receipt he received from authorities in return.
The Swiss law allows authorities to seize any cash or valuables above the threshold of $1,000. However, unlike the proposed Danish law, Swiss authorities usually seize money or valuables previously declared by refugees, rather than searching them for such items or cash amounts as they arrive.
In 2015, more than 100 refugees were affected by the rule, which resulted in about $200,000 being seized. In total, Switzerland took in about 30,000 refugees between Sept. 2014 and Sept. 2015. It is not known how many might have failed to declare the value of their belongings.
Speaking to the Swiss public broadcaster SRF, Stefan Frey, the press spokesman for a nongovernmental organization that assists refugees in Switzerland, called the law "disgraceful" and a case of "state-led robber barony."
The ministry of migration, however, defended the practice. "The money is used to pay for the expenses caused by an individual's stay here," SRF quoted press spokesperson Lea Wertheimer as saying. Refugees can demand their seized assets back if they decide to leave the country voluntarily within the first seven months of their stay in Switzerland.
Denmark's planned law, which parliament is expected to pass later this month, sets a maximum value for cash or valuables of about $1,500. Belongings valued above that are supposed to be seized. Items that are considered to have sentimental value (medals or wedding rings, for instance) are exempt.
After facing fierce criticism, Demark's integration minister, Inger Stojberg, defended the proposal: "There is no reason to criticize, since it is already the case that if you as a Dane have valuables for more than 10,000 kroner ($1,450) it may be required that this is sold before you can receive unemployment benefits."