Africans and crime in Switzerland

 

When discussing crime rates by origin in Switzerland, official statistics from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) often categorize foreigners by their type of residence permit (B and C permits for residents, or those without permits like asylum seekers) and by broader geographical regions rather than specific "ethnicities" like "African."

However, reports and studies do provide insights into conviction rates for groups originating from various African regions. Here's a summary of what the data indicates:

• Higher Conviction Rates for some African groups:

  • According to reports from SWI swissinfo.ch based on FSO data (from around 2018-2020), South West Africans (referring to people from countries like Nigeria, Congo, etc.) have shown some of the highest conviction rates among non-Swiss residents with B and C residence permits, for crimes and misdemeanours. For instance, a rate of 31 per 1,000 for South West Africans, 21.2 for West Africans, and 18.3 for North Africans.

  • These figures are significantly higher than the conviction rate for Swiss nationals, which was around 2.5 per 1,000.

  • Among 18-29 year-olds, men from West Africa were reported to have particularly high conviction rates (e.g., 78 per 1,000 residents in 2014).

• Types of Offenses:

  • Drug offenses are frequently highlighted. West Africans, for example, have been noted to have the highest conviction rate for drug offenses.

  • Studies also point to a disproportionate involvement of certain groups, including some African asylum seekers, in drug dealing.

• Population Without B or C Permits (e.g., asylum seekers, irregular migrants):

  • The statistics look different for foreigners without a B or C permit (e.g., asylum seekers). In absolute numbers, North Africans (e.g., from Algeria) were frequently convicted in this category, followed by Romanians and French.

  • Some studies suggest that a substantial number of asylum-seekers, particularly from West Africa, come to Switzerland with the intention of pursuing petty crime and drug dealing, and that most offenders in this group come into contact with the police within the first months of their presence.

• Overall Trends and Context:

  • Switzerland, like many European countries, has seen an increase in the proportion of offenders of foreign nationality over the years, though overall crime rates in Switzerland have generally been declining.

  • It's important to note that these statistics reflect conviction rates and not necessarily crime committed. Factors like socioeconomic status, age, integration levels, legal status, and specific migratory patterns can influence these figures.

  • Academic studies also discuss that disproportionate offending rates among migrants do not necessarily imply discrimination in reporting or prosecution, but rather complex factors.

In summary, while overall crime in Switzerland has been low, certain groups of African nationalities, particularly from West and North Africa, have shown higher conviction rates in Swiss crime statistics, notably in relation to drug offenses and among individuals with certain residence statuses or without permits.

With "Gemini"