Over 200 victims of human trafficking were identified in Switzerland in 2024
The five member organisations of the Platforme Traite – FIZ, ASTRÉE, CSP Genève, Antenna MayDay and AVIT – identified 201 new victims of human trafficking in Switzerland last year.
Last year, the member organisations of the Plateforme Traite provided support and advice to a total of 483 victims of human trafficking. The figures have remained stable for several years, with a slight upward trend. This clearly shows that human trafficking is a reality in Switzerland. The majority of newly identified victims were women (73%). Around a quarter were men. The victims came from 54 countries, with most of the newly identified victims in 2024 coming from Nigeria, Colombia and Hungary.
These figures only show the tip of the iceberg. Identifying victims, determining their origin and gender, and establishing the type of exploitation they have experienced depend heavily on the sectors that are monitored, the awareness of the referring organisations and cooperation with specialised victim protection services. Thanks to increasing commitment in various cantons and cooperation with specialised victim protection organisations, the number and diversity of identified cases is rising, meaning that the figures are becoming more accurate in reflecting the reality of the situation from year to year.
Little response at national level
The specialisation of victim protection organisations and the additional efforts made by the cantons are welcome, but there needs to be greater consistency between cantonal and national measures. The federal government must provide additional financial resources to support the efforts of the cantons and specialist victim protection organisations. Otherwise, there is a risk that the measures will become less effective in the long term. There needs to be close coordination between local, cantonal and national measures and regulations, especially when it comes to granting residence permits and integration measures for victims of human trafficking. For example, it must no longer be the case that the federal authorities refuse to grant a residence permit when the cantonal authorities have recommended it or have provided financial support for the integration process of these persons over several years prior to the negative federal decision.
The Platform is delighted to welcome AVIT – a specialised organisation in Valais – as a new member. David Dandrès, Director, explains: «Human trafficking is a hidden and devastating reality. It is essential to offer those affected a place where they can be heard and receive support. The new Valais organisation is a major step forward for those affected who want to defend their rights and regain their ability to act. It also shows that we can build a coherent and fairer national system for victims, canton by canton.»
Criticism of the EU asylum pact
Of the 201 newly identified victims of human trafficking, 10.4% were in ongoing asylum proceedings. The others either have no valid residence documents or fall under the Foreign Nationals and Integration Act (AIG). The experience of member organisations shows that unsafe migration routes significantly increase the risk of exploitation. Fanie Wirth from FIZ emphasises: «The dismantling of safe and legal migration routes, which is being driven forward by the new European Asylum Pact, further exacerbates the vulnerability of migrants and increases their risk of exploitation.»
For this and other reasons, the Platform criticises Switzerland’s acceptance of the European Asylum Pact and calls on Switzerland to make use of the sovereignty clause in cases involving particularly vulnerable or endangered persons and to process their applications itself.
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