Recently Switzerland’s States Council, or upper house, supported a proposal to review the current practice around expelling failed asylum seekers, in particular those who are radicalised or have broken the law.

The proposal, put forward by Damian Müller (PLR/FDP) must now be discussed by the Federal Council, Switzerland’s executive body.

After the attacks in Manchester and London Müller is concerned some failed asylum seekers, who have managed to avoid expulsion, could have jihadist sympathies.

He said the Federal Council must work hard to find solutions that will allow improvements in the current practice. He called for an increase in the rate of expulsion among those failing asylum and those breaking the law.

He also wants the government to come up with measures for monitoring or detaining those who are dangerous and have had their expulsion delayed.

Concern was raised on the cost, with a suggestion costs should be borne by Bern rather than the cantons. National Councillor Thomas Minder gave the example of a dangerous jihadist in the canton of Schaffhausen, who after serving a prison term, was costing the canton a significant sum for constant monitoring.

Simonetta Sommaruga, minister of justice, said that there is no clear cut recipe for combatting terrorism, and not every failed asylum seeker is a jihadist, even criminal ones.

The Federal Council supports the proposal and will deal with it the context of a wider plan on preventing and combatting terrorism.

More on this:

Parliamentary press release (in French) - Take a 5 minute French test now

For more stories like this on Switzerland follow us on Facebook and Twitter.