the Synodal Council of the Reformed Church of Vaud
At the Council of the Catholic Church Waldensian
Closing the shelter
Lausanne, January 20, 2010
Ladies and Gentlemen,
On January 17, 2011, you decided to close the shelter was opened in October 2010 in the Protestant and Catholic churches of Lausanne and surroundings, to temporarily house asylum seekers at risk of imminent removal.
While recognizing the great effort that was made for yourself and several parishes to accommodate the shelter and that it does not constitute a durable solution, we would like to tell you the grave concern of the community who are concerned about human dignity and health of asylum seekers.
Convinced that the churches are a force to protest against injustice and a place of refuge for the outcast, we regret that you are entering in the logic of our leaders at both the federal and cantonal level, that it would not be possible to protect people who have little chance of receiving a favorable response to their request for regularization. In a context marked by a sharp rise in hostility towards foreigners, the State plays its role of "policeman", the churches have a different role to play.
We believe that churches should be precisely at heart "hopeless cases", as they did in the past, reflecting their commitment "to 523", a commitment that has been crowned success. We also believe that churches have to stand up for people who are serious risks in the countries where we want them back, whatever the faults committed in Switzerland or elsewhere, especially if there is any hope of rehabilitation and new start in life. If churches do not stand alongside those who live in fear and have no hope, who will?
It is true that the shelter is a last resort and that it can not be eternal. However, we know that the steps taken for people staying require much time. A unilateral decision to terminate the refuge before a solution is found for these people can not be understood as a serious step backwards.
For now, only two people are staying at the shelter, but these are serious cases that deserve our support. Moreover, beyond the two people staying, this is the role played by churches and the fate of many who are involved here.
We also regret the suddenness with which you have decided to close the shelter and the sidelining of all others involved in the decision process.
We are aware that the organization of a refuge is posing a delicate task many painful questions, but we also know that many parishes have offered to host it. Solutions can certainly be found, even for people who are not staying in a shelter. But they require a strong commitment and we hope that the authorities of the churches are ready to participate.
Hoping to associate ourselves with this thought with you, and that until you authorize the parish volunteers to host the shelter, we ask that you receive, ladies and gentlemen, the expression of our joint commitment
First Signatures : Anne-Catherine
Menétrey, anc. National Councillor
Jacques Neirynck, professor, National
Raphael Mahaim, MP
Dolivo Jean-Michel, MP Sandra
Bavaud, MP
Michéle Gay-Vallotton, MP
Graziella de Coulon, co-chair of Solidarity Across Borders
Francis Vargas , former director of institution
Miriam Schwab Ngamije, Protestant Social Centre VD
At the Council of the Catholic Church Waldensian
Closing the shelter
Lausanne, January 20, 2010
Ladies and Gentlemen,
On January 17, 2011, you decided to close the shelter was opened in October 2010 in the Protestant and Catholic churches of Lausanne and surroundings, to temporarily house asylum seekers at risk of imminent removal.
While recognizing the great effort that was made for yourself and several parishes to accommodate the shelter and that it does not constitute a durable solution, we would like to tell you the grave concern of the community who are concerned about human dignity and health of asylum seekers.
Convinced that the churches are a force to protest against injustice and a place of refuge for the outcast, we regret that you are entering in the logic of our leaders at both the federal and cantonal level, that it would not be possible to protect people who have little chance of receiving a favorable response to their request for regularization. In a context marked by a sharp rise in hostility towards foreigners, the State plays its role of "policeman", the churches have a different role to play.
We believe that churches should be precisely at heart "hopeless cases", as they did in the past, reflecting their commitment "to 523", a commitment that has been crowned success. We also believe that churches have to stand up for people who are serious risks in the countries where we want them back, whatever the faults committed in Switzerland or elsewhere, especially if there is any hope of rehabilitation and new start in life. If churches do not stand alongside those who live in fear and have no hope, who will?
It is true that the shelter is a last resort and that it can not be eternal. However, we know that the steps taken for people staying require much time. A unilateral decision to terminate the refuge before a solution is found for these people can not be understood as a serious step backwards.
For now, only two people are staying at the shelter, but these are serious cases that deserve our support. Moreover, beyond the two people staying, this is the role played by churches and the fate of many who are involved here.
We also regret the suddenness with which you have decided to close the shelter and the sidelining of all others involved in the decision process.
We are aware that the organization of a refuge is posing a delicate task many painful questions, but we also know that many parishes have offered to host it. Solutions can certainly be found, even for people who are not staying in a shelter. But they require a strong commitment and we hope that the authorities of the churches are ready to participate.
Hoping to associate ourselves with this thought with you, and that until you authorize the parish volunteers to host the shelter, we ask that you receive, ladies and gentlemen, the expression of our joint commitment
First Signatures : Anne-Catherine
Menétrey, anc. National Councillor
Jacques Neirynck, professor, National
Raphael Mahaim, MP
Dolivo Jean-Michel, MP Sandra
Bavaud, MP
Michéle Gay-Vallotton, MP
Graziella de Coulon, co-chair of Solidarity Across Borders
Francis Vargas , former director of institution
Miriam Schwab Ngamije, Protestant Social Centre VD
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