Switzerland triggers unprecedented special status for Ukrainian refugees
Ukrainians fleeing after Russia’s invasion will be eligible for “S” protection in Switzerland, a status that has never been granted before. Fribourg University law professor Sarah Progin-Theuerkauf welcomes this unprecedented openness by the Swiss authorities.
This content was published on March 23, 2022 - 09:00 March 23, 2022 - 09:00
Katy Romy Pauline Turuban
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Some 10 million people have been uprooted from their homes by the war in Ukraine, the United Nations says. Of these, over 3.7 million are refugees, with more than 2 million crossing the border into Poland.
More than 11,000 victims of the war have already been registered in Switzerland. The federal government says it is ready to take in some 60,000. But cantonal authorities tasked with dealing with the new arrivals expect as many as 300,000 refugees to reach Switzerland by the end of the year.
On March 11, the cabinet confirmed it is granting them collective protection under a special status called “S”. In so doing, it is following the lead of the European Union, which activated its Temporary ProtectionExternal link Directive on March 4.
https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/switzerland-triggers-unprecedented-special-status-for-ukrainian-refugees-/47437986?utm_campaign=teaser-in-channel&utm_content=o&utm_medium=display&utm_source=swissinfoch