Federal Asylum Center in Boudry: Security Officers Sentenced for Negligence and Inadequate Training

2023-06-15 18:56:00

Four security officers at the federal asylum center in Boudry (NE) have been sentenced via criminal orders for simple bodily harm and endangering the life and health of an applicant, the 7:30 p.m. the RTS. They lacked diligence following the applicant became unwell during the winter of 2021-2022.

The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) has pledged to ensure better on-the-job training for security officers (archive image).

KEYSTONE/LAURENT GILLIERON

The Neuchâtel public prosecutor recognized extenuating circumstances for the four convicted persons, whose training had been insufficient, and reduced their sentence, specified the Neuchâtel public prosecutor Pierre Aubert on the news.

Still, penal orders are “final”. Sentences range from 25 to 40 day-fine suspended. Today, the employees concerned no longer work for the Confederation, specified the 19:30. In addition, the security company escapes any sanction, as does the Confederation.

On the video broadcast by television, an applicant, “in hypothermia and hypoglycaemia”, is unwell in his detention cell. Staff reportedly took regarding 40 minutes to provide him with a blanket and call for help.

According to Pierre Aubert, it was conceivable that “in such a situation, employees would be able to manage the issue more delicately”.

Taken measures

For its part, the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM), through its spokesperson Anne Césard, has undertaken to ensure better training in the field for security agents. The applicant’s lawyer, Dimitri Paratte said he “regrets that the line managers” of the center have not been sanctioned.

Due to the influx of migrants, the Boudry center has had to deal with delicate situations in recent months. At the beginning of the year, there were more than 800 asylum seekers, while the agreement with the Confederation provides for a maximum capacity of 480 people.

Tensions with the local population have also arisen. The staff dedicated to social support had to be increased, from 70 full-time jobs to 120 between January 2022 and last March. In the meantime, the center’s occupancy rate has returned to normal.

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