The State Secretary for Migration and head of the (SEM)

Den Haag, 06-05-2025

To: Mr. Vincenzo Mascioli, the State Secretary for Migration and head of the (SEM)

State Secretariat for Migration SEM

Quellenweg 6

Wabern, Switzerland.

Petition to the State Secretary for Migration of Switzerland

Regarding the Deportation Policy of Rejected Single Afghan Male Asylum Seekers

Dear Mr. Vincenzo Mascioli, the State Secretary for Migration and head of the (SEM)

On behalf of the member organizations of FAROE, I am writing to express our profound concern and strong objection to the recent policy enacted by the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) of Switzerland, which mandates the deportation of single and healthy Afghan men whose asylum applications have been rejected, back to Afghanistan. This policy raises significant ethical, humanitarian, and legal issues, particularly in light of the current situation in Afghanistan, a country now controlled by the Taliban and grappling with severe crises across economic, social, and political spheres.

Current Situation in Afghanistan

Afghanistan, under the control of the theocracy of the Taliban, is experiencing unprecedented turmoil. The country is facing a crippling economic collapse, widespread human rights violations, and pervasive insecurity. The Taliban’s regime has been marked by significant repression, particularly against ethnic minorities and those who oppose their rule. The return of single Afghan men to such an environment not only endangers their lives but also exacerbates the instability within the country.

Ethnic Discrimination in Deportation Criteria

According to rumors in social media based on a local newspaper, the policy of deporting single Afghan men is fundamentally flawed due to its discriminatory nature. One of the criteria for deportation is probably based on ethnic grounds, which is both incorrect and unjust. This discrimination particularly harms the Pashtun asylum seekers because they belong to the same ethnic group as the leaders of the Taliban. As Pashtuns have been the prime victims of the Taliban repression, this criteria further marginalizes an already vulnerable group. Such criteria violate the principles of equality and non-discrimination enshrined in international human rights law.

Recommendations

The Federation of Afghan Resident Organizations in Europe (FAROE) strongly recommends that the SEM reconsider this policy. We urge the SEM to:

•          Halt the deportation of single Afghan men to Afghanistan until the situation in the country improves significantly and the civil and political rights for individuals is guarantied by the Taliban.

•          Remove any discriminatory criteria based on ethnicity from the deportation policy. Every asylum seeker should be evaluated on the basis of their individual circumstances and the potential risks they face if returned to their country of origin.

•          Engage with Afghan community organizations and international human rights bodies to develop a more humane and just approach to handling asylum applications and deportations.

Conclusion

We believe that the implementation of this policy not only contravenes the principles of justice and humanity but also tarnishes Switzerland’s reputation as a country that upholds human rights and humanitarian values. We trust that the SEM will take our concerns and recommendations into serious consideration and act promptly to rectify this situation.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.

Sincerely,

On behalf of Ali Daliry, the chairperson of AFROE,

A.R. Faquiri,

Head of FAROE committee for external affairs