Far too often, people talk about refugees without asking them about their concerns. The first Swiss Refugee Parliament will now take place on June 6. Preparations by the thematic committees are already in full swing. terre des hommes schweiz is supporting the refugee session.
Refugee policy is a hot topic in Swiss politics and in people’s minds, with parliament constantly debating and passing rules and laws. Those affected have little say in the matter. Switzerland’s first refugee parliament will now take place in Bern on June 6. Since the end of April, around 75 refugees from 19 cantons and 15 countries have been preparing for the session in 9 committees. At online committee meetings, they are discussing asylum issues of their own choosing, such as education, the integration agenda, children’s rights, rejected asylum seekers and the problematic F status for temporarily admitted asylum seekers. They receive support from experts and members of the Federal Assembly.
On the day of the session, the committees exchange views with each other, revise their reports and finally adopt their demands. The concerns are heard by parliamentarians from various parties and organizations. terre des hommes schweiz will also be present at the refugee session. We have been working on the topic of migration for a long time and are committed to helping refugees in Switzerland. Participation is a central principle in our project work with young people in Switzerland and abroad. This is why terre des hommes schweiz supports the refugee parliament launched by NCBI. Because far too often, people talk about refugees – not with them. Roksan Kasem, Chair of the Refugee Commission, says: “The Refugee Parliament is important. We are all human beings, whether refugees or not. Many Swiss people don’t know us. I am committed to ensuring that we can live together better.”
People in Switzerland should be made aware of the problems of refugees and their ideas for solutions – especially members of parliament who make decisions that affect refugees. Sylvia Valentin
The session can be followed live here from 1.30 pm. On Monday, June 21, the results of the Refugee Parliament will be presented by the participants at a public evening event in Bern.
