Switzerland, a New Route for Refugees Heading to Germany and Northern Europe

Human traffickers are constantly seeking new routes to transport refugees to Western European countries. One of the new refugee routes is from Italy to Switzerland and continuing onward to Germany and Scandinavian countries.

Switzerland is a beautiful country and ranks among the highest in Europe in terms of facilities. However, for many refugees who make their way from Italy to Switzerland, this country does not hold sufficient appeal, and they wish to continue their journey to Germany or Northern European countries.

Swiss authorities have increased border controls with Italy. In the Lugano border region of Switzerland alone, in June and July of the current year, the number of people without registered residence permits reached 9,900.

Swiss authorities informed Deutsche Welle that of these individuals, 4,200 have been returned to Italy. In total, from the beginning of the current year (2016) through July, 22,000 people have entered Switzerland illegally, and the Swiss government has returned 8,300 of them.

Most Refugees Are African

Most refugees who have made their way to Switzerland are Eritrean nationals (4,700 people). Following this group are Gambian refugees (1,800 people), Nigerians, and Afghans (approximately 1,400 people each).

It is reported that refugees who settle in Italy’s border regions heading to Switzerland typically begin their movement to enter Switzerland around midnight, which is why Swiss border officers, whose numbers have increased, conduct border controls 24 hours a day.

Continuing the Journey to Germany and Scandinavian Countries

Refugees can apply for asylum in Switzerland, but many of them wish to continue their journey and reach Germany or Scandinavian countries. If these refugees are arrested, they are likely to be returned to Italy.

Many refugees in such circumstances choose to live in hiding. They wait for conditions to arise that would allow them to leave Switzerland and move to Germany. It is reported that the number of hidden refugees in Switzerland has increased significantly.

From the beginning of the current year through July, the number of people who illegally traveled from Switzerland to Germany was 3,400. This number was 2,500 for the entire previous year. The German Interior Ministry has also stated in a declaration that the number of refugees who have traveled from Switzerland to Germany has increased.

The main reason refugees continue their journey to Germany or Switzerland is the presence of relatives and acquaintances who have already made their way to these countries, as well as reports they have heard about the favorable conditions in these countries.

The German government, by increasing the number of its border police officers, intends to combat illegal entry of people into the country. However, German border police efforts initially focus on human trafficking gangs that constantly plan new ways to illegally transport people to European countries.

It is reported that human traffickers exploit summer holidays in European countries to transport refugees across Swiss borders into Germany. These traffickers are well aware that during summer holidays, cross-border traffic between the two countries is very heavy, and border controls become extremely difficult for border police officers under these conditions.

Source: DW