Federal Office for Migration temporarily suspends repatriation to Sri Lanka (Zwitserland)
Press Release, FOM, 04.09.2013 Bern. Non-government organisations (NGOs) have recently reported isolated cases of Sri Lankan nationals who have been arrested by the Sri Lankan authorities and tortured on return to their home country. The Federal Office for Migration (FOM) has taken fast and comprehensive action to investigate the cases that have been brought to its attention. The FOM has no factual knowledge to date as to whether and to what extent Sri Lankan returnees have been unlawfully treated. The imminent repatriation of Sri Lankan nationals has been suspended until the results of the investigations are known. The FOM does not accept human rights’ violations. During the asylum proceedings, the FOM carefully investigates whether a person is at risk in their home country. However, this investigation requires the asylum applicant to disclose to the Swiss authorities all the relevant facts that may put them in danger. The FOM has knowledge that two...