Bern becomes a ‘safe harbour’ for migrants – what does this mean?

The Swiss capital has joined a network of German cities declaring themselves “safe harbours” for refugees and migrants – flying in the face of national policy. The Canary Islands usually come to mind as a holiday destination for European tourists. But currently they’re seeing arrivals of another kind. In January, over 7,000 people from West Africa landed on the Spanish islands, packed into small boats after journeys of up to 15 days. Others died en route. Many were from Senegal, where there is socio-political unrest. The Canary Islands authorities are struggling to deal with the situation after 2023 already saw a 150% jump in such migration. Some 3,500 kilometres to the northeast, landlocked Bern now wants to help. This week authorities in the Swiss capital declared the city to be a “safe harbour”: that is, willing to “directly admit and accommodate people rescued at sea” and to take in more refugees generally. The declaration is “another step in Bern’s engagement for a ...