4 June 2021

Thank you for offering to comment on the allegations made by Amnesty International (Switzerland) about procedures in Swiss asylum centres.

Securitas AG and other private companies work on behalf of the State Secretariat for Migration SEM in federal asylum centres and are bound by contracts with the Swiss Confederation.

The operation of these centres is not the responsibility of Securitas AG or other private companies. Rather, these are state-run institutions and thus we have no right of information vis-à-vis third parties. 

We note that court proceedings are pending before the Swiss judiciary in this connection. Proceedings have been opened against employees of private companies, but also against asylum seekers. The Swiss judiciary has a good reputation and will investigate these cases independently and, where necessary, conclude with a criminal verdict or acquittal. As the employer of accused employees, we are not legally entitled to provide information to third parties. This could compete with the pending criminal proceedings and possibly violate the employer's duty of care under the Swiss Code of Obligations.