The Swiss Refugee Council (OSAR) welcomed the government’s proposal on the future of protection status S for people fleeing Ukraine and supported efforts to provide long-term planning. It stressed that the status should remain in place as long as the war continues.
While endorsing the overall approach, OSAR raised concerns about potential inequalities. It criticised plans allowing cantons and municipalities to independently determine social assistance levels, warning this could create unequal treatment across regions. It also opposed restrictions targeting men of military age, arguing that protection should apply to all, regardless of gender or age.
OSAR called for special consideration for vulnerable groups and supported generous handling of hardship cases. It stated that abolishing the protection status S should only occur after secure peace in Ukraine and in coordination with the EU, and returns should depend on restored infrastructure and living conditions. If the status were replaced while the conflict persists, OSAR advocated for a unified humanitarian protection system to avoid disparities between legal statuses.
- Swiss Refugee Council | Schweizerische Flüchtlingshilfe | Organisation suisse d’aide aux réfugiés (19 June, 2026), L’avenir du statut S : sécuriser la planification et garantir la protection [The future of status S: ensuring planning and guaranteeing protection],