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Swiss vote whether to expel foreigners for minor crimes Swiss vote on whether to expel foreigners for minor crimes
(about 3 hours later)
People in Switzerland vote on Sunday on whether to automatically expel foreigners who commit minor crimes. People in Switzerland are voting on whether to automatically expel foreigners who commit minor crimes.
The proposal has been put forward by the right-wing Swiss People's Party.The proposal has been put forward by the right-wing Swiss People's Party.
The vote comes as unease grows among Swiss people at rising immigration and the social problems which, the People's Party says, come with it.The vote comes as unease grows among Swiss people at rising immigration and the social problems which, the People's Party says, come with it.
But opponents say the law will create a two-tier justice system which will unfairly target foreigners who live permanently and legally in Switzerland. But opponents say the law will create a two-tier justice system which will unfairly target foreigners who make up around 25% of Switzerland's population.
More than five million people are entitled to vote - not including the two million or so foreign nationals living there. Almost two million foreign passport holders live permanently and legally in Switzerland, but as gaining Swiss nationality is a complicated and expensive procedure, and is not conferred automatically at birth, these foreign nationals include many who have never lived outside of Switzerland.
The Swiss government says only two in every 100 foreigners living in Switzerland have been granted Swiss citizenship.
More than five million people are entitled to vote in the referendum; only Swiss nationals get to vote.
If adopted, the proposal known as the "Enforcement Initiative" would strengthen moves adopted in 2010 to deport foreigners convicted of murder or sexual violence.If adopted, the proposal known as the "Enforcement Initiative" would strengthen moves adopted in 2010 to deport foreigners convicted of murder or sexual violence.
The Swiss People's Party is now seeking automatic deportation with no right of appeal if a foreigner commits two minor offences within 10 years such as speeding or arguing with a police officer.The Swiss People's Party is now seeking automatic deportation with no right of appeal if a foreigner commits two minor offences within 10 years such as speeding or arguing with a police officer.
Supporters of the proposals say it will make Switzerland a safer place, and point to statistics indicating that foreigners make up a disproportionately large part of the prison population.Supporters of the proposals say it will make Switzerland a safer place, and point to statistics indicating that foreigners make up a disproportionately large part of the prison population.
Opinion polls suggest the vote will be close.Opinion polls suggest the vote will be close.
But if the Swiss do vote yes, they will have adopted some of the strictest laws on foreigners in Europe, the BBC's Imogen Foulkes in Geneva says. But if the Swiss do vote 'Yes', they will have adopted some of the strictest laws on foreigners in Europe, the BBC's Imogen Foulkes in Geneva says.