Switzerland Reports Stalled Dublin Returns from Italy
Bern has stated that Rome has failed to resume accepting asylum seekers under the EU framework, raising questions about the effectiveness of current readmission agreements.
The Swiss government has indicated that Italy has not resumed the return of asylum seekers as previously anticipated. According to Swiss Justice Minister Beat Jans, the situation remains complicated despite earlier announcements that transfers would restart at the end of August. Jans noted that while Italy had promised to accept cases under the Dublin Regulation, no such returns have occurred to date.
This development highlights a significant gap in bilateral cooperation on migration management. The Swiss minister described the current state of affairs as difficult, suggesting that Italy is not adhering to the common European rules governing these transfers. Nevertheless, he emphasized that dialogue between the two nations continues in a gradual manner, aiming to resolve the impasse.
Bilateral agreements remain in effect
Despite the lack of progress on Dublin transfers, Jans pointed out that a separate bilateral readmission agreement with Italy is being respected. Under this framework, Switzerland is permitted to return irregular migrants to Italy at a rate of 15 individuals per day. The minister confirmed that Italy is complying with this specific arrangement, distinguishing it from the stalled EU-based returns.
Italy’s State Secretary for Migration, Vincenzo Mascioli, also characterized the current situation as unsatisfactory. He expressed an expectation that Italy would resume readmissions in line with the new EU pact. Additionally, the European Union is scheduled to publish an interim report in October, which is expected to address the level of cooperation among member states in handling migration flows.
Political context shapes migration policy
The Swiss State Secretariat for Migration had initially assumed that Italy would cooperate in resuming repatriations, a stance maintained by a spokesperson for the agency. However, Italy halted all readmissions of asylum seekers in December 2022, shortly after Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni took office. Meloni has recently defended this approach, arguing that the new EU Asylum and Migration Pact offers a positive shift for her country.
Meloni emphasized that Italy could benefit from the rules that came into force in June, despite the growing number of European countries seeking to return secondary migrants to Italy. This political stance reflects a broader tension within the EU regarding the distribution of responsibility for asylum claims. The new pact aims to address these imbalances, but its practical application remains a subject of debate among member states.
Broader European tensions persist
Switzerland is not alone in seeking to return asylum seekers to Italy. Germany, Austria, Finland, Sweden, and the Netherlands also intend to repatriate individuals who entered the EU via Italy but subsequently moved to other countries. This action is grounded in the Dublin Regulation, which mandates that migrants apply for asylum in the first EU country they enter.
As reported by GN geopolitics/migration (en-US), the disconnect between policy intentions and on-the-ground enforcement poses a challenge for European cohesion. The upcoming EU interim report will be a key indicator of whether member states are moving toward greater compliance. For now, the focus remains on the ongoing diplomatic efforts to align national practices with shared European standards.
