At least four officials of the Gambia Immigration Department are currently in the Swiss capital of Bern, negotiating with Swiss authorities to deport Gambian refugees back to Gambia. It’s alleged that Gambian’s seeking asylum which have been rejected are being targeted for deportation.
This move by the Gambia government has worried a lot of Gambian refugees who have risked everything to get to Switzerland. Gambians in the Diaspora are concerned that this move which may be considered illegal considering the limited job opportunities in The Gambia. One concerned Gambian commented that “this will spoil their chances of getting to greener pasture after taking the risks to cross the Atlantic Ocean for months, to Europe”.
According to Gainako sources, Gambian Immigration officials formed by a team of three men and one lady arrived Switzerland two weeks ago and have begun negotiations to repatriate Gambian refugees. Many believed that President Jammeh is behind this issue for his own personal interest. It could be recalled that the Government mouthpiece the Daily Observer recently reported that 15 Gambians were repatriated back to Norway.
“Most of us could not get any jobs in The Gambia, which is why we decided to try our chance in Europe, so it’s so unfair to deny us opportunity to make a living in Europe. Besides most of us have lend monies to travel to Europe so now our parents will have serious problems to pay back these debts if we are deported,” said an asylum seeker who preferred to be anonymous.
Another asylum seeker who also wished not to be mentioned, said; “We have both economic and political migrants from The Gambia in Swiss and it is really sad to see them being deported. The Swiss authorities should think twice, The Gambia is not a safe haven for anyone. We all know the type of Dictator ruling The Gambia. It is even better for the Swiss authorities to send people back to other countries that refugees have entered into Europe as enshrined in the ‘Dublin Agreement’ that Switzerland had signed with the European Union on refugee issues than to enter into dubious business deals with Dictator Jammeh.”
This asylum seeker is disheartened with the prospects of being deported back to The Gambia and is also unhappy with the manner which the Swizz Government is dealing with The Gambian Government under the table to fast track repatriation of refugees. In their view “Switzerland has betrayed the UNHCR and other UN rights and conventions on refugee status. They should try to do more than Germany in assisting refugees given the numerous offices in Geneva. Last year alone, UNCHR records report that Germany has approved 1.3 million refugees, whilst Switzerland approved only 1,500 refugees”.
Its alleged that Gambian refugees in Switzerland have serious political problems with the Gambian government and if deported could face persecution and risk going to jail for life. A concerned refugee believes that “this is a serious matter which needs to be addressed soon”. It’s also alleged that many African Dictators including, the late Moamar Gadaffi of Libya and Yahya Jammeh have vast amounts of assets and funds in Swiss banks.