He is not so, as you’d expect: deep laugh lines, mischievous eyes, a boy-like face under white hair, a friendly, mild-mannered appearance. Here, Franz Bättig, a Hardliner, a man for the very hard cases.
The 64-Year-old, then, is used when all the sanction options have been exhausted: rejected application for Asylum, the country of references, imprisonment, Forced repatriation. Battig of asylum to seekers whose applications have been rejected ten or more years ago. People have come to terms long ago with their illegal Status, people whose true identity is often unknown. Bättigs goal: He wants to convince these people, but still return to your home country. On a voluntary basis. His position was newly created, it belongs to the asylum, the concept of safety Director, Mario Fehr. Since last March, a former Canton police officer working Bättig – – in the migration office in Switzerland that the first “special Advisor to Leave the country”.
Franz Bättig, how to persuade unruly for rejected asylum seekers on voluntary return?
I do not persuade, but to convince attempts. This is an important difference. My clients – as I like to call them – leave the country, all on a voluntary basis. Who can persuade, it could later develop a remorse feeling and return. My Intention is more sustainable, because these people decide for a return. In the case of Compulsory deportation procedures, the relapse rate is higher.
How high is your success rate?
it sounds modest. I count four successful cases, and a fifth is nearing completion. On the other hand, Rejected asylum seekers, which have become delinquent, cost the taxpayers over 100’000 Swiss francs per year. Over the years, when extrapolated, are likely to relieve four cases, the public Hand is much. Even more serious is the threat to public safety posed by intensive offenders, which I usually do to, is.
Franz Bättig takes care of people like Syed F. (Name changed). The man came in 2005, in Switzerland, and gave a false identity. In the first half of the year in Switzerland raped Said F. a woman and sat on it for two and a half years in prison. Back in freedom, followed the next crime. In 14 years, he has been convicted 19 times, he spent a total of eleven years and one month in Swiss prisons. Said F. had an addiction problem – no alcohol available, he took other drugs. He was emotionally labile, his Frustration level was low. Said F. I have always wondered where he should go. He had no relation to his home country. A forced deportation was impossible, because his identity was unknown. In the asylum accommodation in Urdorf Said F. foreign felt. Several times it came to violent clashes. The North Africans spent a lot of time in the woods in the vicinity of the asylum accommodation. So, as Franz Bättig him last spring for the first Time visited.
How was the contact with Said F.?
It was not a first Meeting, because a lot happened. I said that I wanted to talk with him. It took weeks, months, until he took a little faith to me. My Mission is clear: I want to convince failed asylum seekers, that you are better at home than in Switzerland. For this, I search them over and over again. You can refuse the contact, I return anyway. I have a long breath.
Why were you in Said F. sure, he’s in the home country better?
I showed him to his current Situation: a daily emergency for 8.50 Swiss francs, a modest accommodation, no friends, no proper bond. Who wants to live such a life? I led some ten long conversations with Said F. The contents were a long time in the circle. People with addiction problem, as Said F., are especially unpredictable.
Why?
In certain phases, I was able to speak a word to him. If he had drugs on you, he said, just confused on the French and wanted to be left alone. I told him then that I would come again in the evening over: “Then we go for a walk and drink a Cup of coffee.” So, I managed gradually to build confidence. In the case of most people with whom I worked together, I was last, the only link they had.
How they tried to convince Said F. yet?
An important is the role families play mostly in the home. I’ll bring the people in memory: “you have parents who are now elderly. Maybe you are sick now, they need your help, counting on you!”
In the summer, managed Bättig the breakthrough. Said F. told him what he had concealed for over 15 years all: his identity. A Vote Of Confidence. On a beautiful morning in September, the F. were the battig and Said in a dress of the Caritas shop. “How do I look in this coat?”, the North Africans asked. The visit to the dress shop, according to battig-the usual procedure. It is important that these people return such as the homeless home. Decent clothing is important. Shortly before departure, the returnees presented Bättig also Swiss Souvenirs and four kilograms of chocolate. The latter is in Bättig Standard. The passage money amounted to CHF 2000, a start-up capital for the first few months after arrival. The Canton police officer accompanied his “customers” up to the Gate. He remains at the airport until the aircraft door closes. Only then his job ends.
What’s going on in the people just before the departure?
I have never seen anyone who would not be happy at this time on the return. It’s like a switch is flipped. On the train to Geneva, some people tell me their true story. You mention family members, which they had concealed for years. A gave me his cell phone in the Hand. On the Display his mother appeared via Facetime. You thanked me, that I bring her son back.
So harmoniously, it will play little in any case.
fear is the biggest hurdle for a return. Afraid that the family won’t accept you. Many of the returnees are ashamed, you feel like a failure because you have lived in Switzerland at the bottom of society. We are trying to contact, for this reason, in advance of nationals, on the return of the family member to prepare.
they Traveled also to the home country?
I accompanied once a Person to West Africa. The man was violent, he had a misogynist attitude. With the escort I wanted to make sure the trip goes without complications. The managed to. 36 hours later, I landed again in Switzerland.
These people stay in their home country, perhaps, violence. You are interested in, then?
We try to ensure that the people have in the home to an existential base.
Perform checks?
It is not possible that the migration office in the countries of Origin controls. If the Person is back in their home country, we have no room for manoeuvre any more. The country is, however, informed of the return.
a few months Ago, Franz thought to Give up Bättig ans. He was initially unsuccessful in the new Job. There were people who were on the verge of departure and at the last Moment appeared. It was him, “went on the kidneys” and have caused him sleepless nights. In June, the first success, the Motivation was back. Battig now remains in the Job until at least next spring. Then, it is decided whether his Position will continue.
Why are you Right for this Job?
I have no degree in psychology. For me, everything is Learning by Doing. I was for many years in the investigation. I managed to maintain a good rapport with Criminals, even to people with a addiction problem. I know how these people tick. The gruff tone that prevails in these circles, often, is not a Problem for me, I have no fear of contact.
What is the most Important thing you have learned in the past few months?
I ask my clients sometimes, what would you do in my place is different. Several people responded to me: Try to find out who the mother is. I would get the mother on the phone, I would have won, they say. In the Maghreb countries, mothers have a great influence on their sons. Note that I in my future cases.
What motivates you for this Job?
The daily dealing with the people. No case is like another. This is incredibly exciting. I can move a Person to a voluntary return, then that is the greatest success. Then I treat myself in the evening, a glass of red wine.
Created: 29.11.2019, 22:10 PM
