Denmark’s decision to confiscate valuables from asylum seekers is similar to the practice in Switzerland, which has been in effect for more than 20 years. It is coming in for criticism too. (SRF/swissinfo.ch)

Swiss law states that asylum seekers have to disclose their assets. According to certain criteria – such as the amount and/or lack of proof of the origin of the assets – the authorities can demand that it be handed over. According to Léa Wertheimer from the State Secretariat for Migration, the law says that asylum seekers - that have some means - contribute towards the costs they incur in Switzerland. These are the costs from asylum request procedures and receiving shelter.

More than 100 asylum seekers had to hand over their savings to the Swiss authorities last year. Those arriving without money or valuables will also have to pay eventually. When working, they must give up to 10 per cent of their wages during the first 10 years of their stay or until they have paid back a total of 15.000 francs. The Swiss Refugee Council is critical of the practice.

亡命者から貴重品を没収することを定めたデンマークの決定は、20年以上にわたり効力を発揮してきたスイスの精度に似ている。その間、批判の的となってきた。 （SRF / swissinfo.ch）

スイスの法律では、亡命希望者は資産を開示しなければならないと定めている。資産の出所の証拠の不足や上限額などの基準にしたがい、当局はそれを引き渡すよう要求できる。政府移民局長レア・ヴェルジハイマーによれば、法律は亡命申請者に負担力があれば、スイスで発生する費用を負担することを定めている。亡命申請手続と収容施設の費用だという。

昨年、100人以上の亡命希望者がスイス当局に資産を引き渡すこととなった。お金や貴重品を持たずに到着する人々も、最終的には負担することになる。労働すれば、最初の10年間もしくは合計が15000フランになるまで、賃金の最大10%を政府に支払う。スイス難民評議会は、この制度を批判している。

[ Why Switzerland takes asylum seekers’ assets ]

00:00 This man fled from his country together with his wife and children.
00:04 Back in Syria he had to sell his house in order to pay traffickers.
00:06 When they finally arrived in Switzerland, he only had 2400 francs left.
00:10 He wants to keep his identity anonymous while his asylum request is still pending
00:18 We were controlled by the police in Zurich and arrested.
00:21 The police took the money from us which apparently is their right.
00:25 They gave us a receipt and promised we'd get the money back later, but so far we haven't
00:34 He was only allowed to keep 1007 francs and 55 cents.
00:36 He doesn't understand why the police had to take the rest
00:43 I would have used it for clothing and for my three children.
00:45 We only have what we wore on our journey.
00:47 We do get a little money from the state, but this only pays for the most essential items.
00:59 Swiss law states that asylum seekers have to disclose their assets.
01:01 According to certain criteria such as the amount and/or lack of proof of the origin of the assets, the authorities can demand that it be handed over.
01:10 It's the law that asylum seekers that have some means contribute towards the cost they incur in this country.
01:17 These are the costs from asylum request procedures and receiving shelter.
01:23 But how many people actually still have money after fleeing their homelands and seeking a new start in Europe.
01:27 Swiss television asks some asylum seekers at a Transit Center in solitude.
01:33 I only had 200 euros.
01:39 It was less than 1000 francs, so I could keep it.
01:45 There's more than 1000 which I was with my family that we had gave unto the police
01:51 I had some rings and some stuffs that we had given to the police.
01:55 We had 500 euros left
02:00 The customs took it made a note and gave it back to us.
02:05 112 asylum seekers had to hand over their savings to the Swiss authorities last year.
02:09 Those arriving without money or valuables will also have to pay eventually.
02:13 When working they must give up to 10% of their wages during the first 10 years of the state or until they've paid back a total of 15,000 francs.
02:23 Stefan Frei from the Swiss Refugee Council is critical of the practice.
02:32 From a humane perspective, I find this extremely dishonorable.
02:36 It reminds me of a medieval robber baron using his authority to collect money from travelers.
02:41 I believe this practice is not worthy of a constitutional state.
02:49 The state secretariat claims it's only implementing the will of Parliament which clearly demands that asylum seekers contribute to the costs they incur.
02:57 If this is the law, there's nothing I can do.
03:04 but I think it's unfair. Migrants don't have much when they arrive.
03:06 And what can Switzerland actually do with a thousand francs more
03:13 This man is hoping his asylum application will soon be accepted so that he can earn his own money again