Switzerland Intends to Establish a Squad for Addressing Transnational Lawbreakers
Revamped Article:
Brace yourselves, Switzerland is ramping up its game against serial foreign offenders with the grand entrance of the "Multi-Criminal Enforcement Taskforce," kicking off in June 2025. This no-nonsense approach comes in response to criticisms from MPs about the government's alleged leniency towards foreign felons.
Here's the Lowdown:
The cantons and the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) will team up to target repeated offenders among foreign nationals residing in Switzerland. Once priority cases are selected, this elite squad will utilize a cutting-edge case management system to ensure every available coercive measure is employed, and every step throughout the process is smooth sailing.
"The project also aims to spotlight best practices, challenges, and necessary adjustments to the legal framework," the officials declared.
The ultimate goal? Systematically nab repeat foreign offenders and facilitate their expulsion, which requires a blended effort from migration officials and federal and cantonal criminal prosecution authorities.
How Many Felons were Fled?
In the most recent stats, a staggering 2,250 foreigners were given the boots in 2023. By the end of the first half of 2024, around 73% of them had vacated Switzerland, either voluntarily or under police supervision, according to official figures. A third of these were EU or EFTA nationals, chiefly from Romania, France, and Italy. As for third-country nationals, they hailed predominantly from Albania, Algeria, and Morocco. A whopping 90% of those booted were men, mostly aged 18 to 54.
When is the Exit Sign Turned On?
Switzerland tightened its screws back in 2017 with a law authorizing expulsions for foreign nationals involved in serious crimes. These 'serious' offenses include murder, rape, sexual assault, violent acts, armed robbery, drug trafficking, terrorism, or sympathizing with extremist organizations. Even abuse of the Swiss social security system fell under the hammer back then.
Fast forward a few years, and 'incitement to hatred' - i.e., threatening or provocative words, actions, or materials - is now added to the list of crimes that may trigger the expulsion of foreigners.
Expulsions involve sending criminals packing from Switzerland or the Schengen area, along with a prohibition on re-entering Switzerland or the Schengen area for a specified period.
- The revamped Multi-Criminal Enforcement Taskforce, set to launch in June 2025, is targeting repeat offenders among foreign nationals residing in Switzerland, employing coercive measures to facilitate their expulsion.
- In 2023, a total of 2,250 foreigners were expelled from Switzerland, 73% of whom had vacated the country by the end of the first half of 2024, either voluntarily or under police supervision.
- Switzerland's politics on migration and crime-and-justice have been under scrutiny, with the government facing criticisms for alleged leniency towards foreign felons.
- In addition to serious crimes like murder and drug trafficking, the list of crimes that may now trigger the expulsion of foreigners also includes incitement to hatred, such as threatening or provocative words, actions, or materials.
