Executive Summary
The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) has commissioned the Swiss Workers' Assistance Organization SAH Bern to operate the External Reporting Office in Federal Asylum Centers. The reporting office will become operational in autumn 2026 and enables asylum seekers, care and security personnel, and volunteers to report irregularities in asylum accommodations. The contract runs from October 1, 2026 to December 31, 2031 at the latest. SAH Bern prevailed in a public procurement process and had already managed one of two reporting offices during the pilot project (2022–2024).
Persons
- State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) (Contracting authority)
Topics
- Asylum policy
- Complaint procedures
- Governance and control
Clarus Lead
The establishment of an independent reporting office underscores Switzerland's commitment to quality control and transparency in the asylum system. With the formal commissioning beginning in autumn 2026, a proven pilot model will be transitioned into regular operations – a step intended to strengthen confidence in the integrity of Federal Asylum Centers. The selection of SAH Bern is based on comprehensive evaluation, including qualitative criteria such as implementation concept and value for money.
Detailed Summary
The SEM conducted a public procurement process on the procurement platform simap.ch. The evaluation team reviewed submitted offers according to several criteria: appropriate value for money and qualitative aspects such as the quality of the implementation concept were the focus. SAH Bern impressed with the most advantageous overall offer.
The External Reporting Office functions as a low-threshold contact point for all persons working or affected in Federal Asylum Centers. It receives reports, advises those making reports, and forwards cases to specialized expert and advisory services or to law enforcement authorities. SAH Bern has operational experience: during the pilot project (2022–2024), the organization already operated one of two reporting offices and thereby demonstrated professional competence and reliability.
Key Statements
- SAH Bern awarded contract to operate External Reporting Office in Federal Asylum Centers (2026–2031)
- Reporting office provides low-threshold complaint procedures for asylum seekers, staff, and volunteers
- Contract based on public procurement and comprehensive evaluation
Critical Questions
Evidence/Source Validity: What concrete findings from the pilot project (2022–2024) justify expansion to all Federal Asylum Centers? Have evaluation reports been published?
Conflicts of Interest: To what extent is the independence of the reporting office from SAH Bern structurally guaranteed if the organization itself operates as a service provider in BAZ?
Causality/Alternatives: Why was the external reporting office chosen as the solution model instead of internal ombudsman mechanisms? Were alternatives evaluated?
Feasibility: What resources are available to SAH Bern to operate the reporting office comprehensively across all BAZ? How is accessibility ensured?
Data Quality: How are reports documented, analyzed, and used for quality improvement in BAZ? Is there public reporting?
Risks: What protection mechanisms prevent retaliation against those making reports? How is confidentiality guaranteed?
Source Directory
Primary Source: SEM Communication: External Reporting Office in Federal Asylum Centers – news.admin.ch, 01.05.2026
Supplementary Resources:
- Project "External Reporting Office" – sem.admin.ch
Verification Status: ✓ 01.05.2026
This text was created with the support of an AI model. Editorial responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-checking: 01.05.2026