http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/creating-opportunites_possible-relaunch-of-swiss-aid-for-eritrea/42563150
Possible relaunch of Swiss aid for Eritrea
Nov 2, 2016 - 15:42
Eritrean asylum seekers have taken part in work pilot projects to try
and increase their acceptance with the local population in Switzerland
(Keystone)
Ten years after Switzerland stopped giving aid to Eritrea, the
government announced it will look into starting it up again. It could
mean the relaunch of Swiss development programmes in the country which
has been accused by the United Nations of committing crimes against
humanity.
The foreign ministry said on Wednesday that the Swiss Agency for
Development and Cooperation (SDC) would look into the “possibility of
carrying out pilot projects”. It will involve a limited annual budget
of CHF2 million ($2.05 million). The projects would focus on improving
employment opportunities for young people.
The potential change of direction by the Swiss could show whether the
Eritrean government is ready to open a dialogue with Switzerland and
move towards a “partnership”.
Conditions
In a press release, the foreign ministry said it was also about
testing whether Eritrea would be transparent and put in place
“effective operational conditions”. If so, these early steps could
lead to a more large scale development programme.
The Swiss also highlighted that efforts would be needed on both sides,
including improvements by Eritrea on the human rights situation in the
country. Although the Eritrean government had given “positive signals”
in recent years, the political, economic and human rights situation
was still “very problematic”.
Parliament asked the government for a report on the situation in
Eritrea and a strategy for the repatriation of refugees. The difficult
human rights situation in the east African country had made virtually
impossible to send asylum seekers back.
According to the UN, hundreds of thousands of Eritreans have fled
their home country in recent years. About 20,000 Eritreans now live in
Switzerland, the largest Eritrean diaspora in the world. In addition,
Eritreans also make up the largest national group of asylum seekers in
Switzerland.
swissinfo.ch and agencies
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Received on Wed Nov 02 2016 - 10:58:42 EDT