The News in Brief
Friday, August 30
Switzerland to put Georgia on the list of safe countries
Starting October 1, Switzerland will put Georgia on the list of safe countries, reads the information published on the webpage of the Swiss Federal Council on August 28.
The Federal Council lists safe countries that it considers safe to return to and live in. The main criteria for granting this status are the protection of human rights, political stability as well as the assessments of EU, EFTA, and the UNHCR.
The cases of asylum seekers from safe countries are being dealt with expeditiously and are usually declined. Currently, the list includes the following countries: Albania, Benin, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Burkina Faso, Ghana, India, Kosovo, Moldova (except Transnistria) Mongolia, Montenegro, Northern Macedonia, Senegal, Serbia and also all EU and EFTA countries.
In addition, Georgia fulfills all the conditions for the country to be considered safe for return. So, the procedures for returning are also becoming less strict for those who have declined asylum. Starting from October 1, 2019, along with Georgia, the European Union and EFTA, the list of countries where the return is safe also include Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, Northern Macedonia, and Serbia.
Since the autumn of 2017, the number of asylum seekers in Georgia and Europe has increased. This event is closely linked to the visa-free travel agreement, which entered into force in the spring of 2017. As a result of this process, Switzerland has taken some effective steps. The protection of the external borders has been strengthened and, if unreasonable asylum is requested, a ban on entry into the country has been imposed.
Nevertheless, the number of asylum seekers from Georgia remains high. Recognizing Georgia as a safe country means that Switzerland will continue to take the necessary steps to reduce unreasonable asylum claims, this decision will make the process of returning home more effective.
(By Nika Gamtsemlidze)
Starting October 1, Switzerland will put Georgia on the list of safe countries, reads the information published on the webpage of the Swiss Federal Council on August 28.
The Federal Council lists safe countries that it considers safe to return to and live in. The main criteria for granting this status are the protection of human rights, political stability as well as the assessments of EU, EFTA, and the UNHCR.
The cases of asylum seekers from safe countries are being dealt with expeditiously and are usually declined. Currently, the list includes the following countries: Albania, Benin, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Burkina Faso, Ghana, India, Kosovo, Moldova (except Transnistria) Mongolia, Montenegro, Northern Macedonia, Senegal, Serbia and also all EU and EFTA countries.
In addition, Georgia fulfills all the conditions for the country to be considered safe for return. So, the procedures for returning are also becoming less strict for those who have declined asylum. Starting from October 1, 2019, along with Georgia, the European Union and EFTA, the list of countries where the return is safe also include Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, Northern Macedonia, and Serbia.
Since the autumn of 2017, the number of asylum seekers in Georgia and Europe has increased. This event is closely linked to the visa-free travel agreement, which entered into force in the spring of 2017. As a result of this process, Switzerland has taken some effective steps. The protection of the external borders has been strengthened and, if unreasonable asylum is requested, a ban on entry into the country has been imposed.
Nevertheless, the number of asylum seekers from Georgia remains high. Recognizing Georgia as a safe country means that Switzerland will continue to take the necessary steps to reduce unreasonable asylum claims, this decision will make the process of returning home more effective.
(By Nika Gamtsemlidze)