Executive Summary
The SEM (State Secretariat for Migration) announced on January 12, 2026 a call for proposals for the operation of an External Reporting Office for Federal Asylum Centers. The independent organization is to begin operations in autumn 2026 and will receive reports from asylum seekers and staff regarding irregularities in federal asylum accommodations, provide advice, and forward cases to the responsible authorities. The project is based on a successful pilot project (2022–2024) and aims to improve quality control in over 30 federal accommodations with approximately 8,200 places.
Persons
Topics
- Asylum policy
- Complaints and reporting procedures
- Quality assurance in asylum accommodations
- Independent oversight
- Transparency and accountability
Detailed Summary
The SEM has launched a public call for proposals for the operation of an External Reporting Office that asylum seekers and staff in federal asylum centers can use to report grievances. The reporting office will be designed as an independent institution and is scheduled to become operational in autumn 2026.
The reporting office will fulfill four core functions: It receives reports, advises affected persons, refers cases to specialized expert and counseling services, and forwards cases to law enforcement authorities when necessary. This is intended to strengthen transparency and accountability in federal asylum accommodations.
The project is based on a pilot project (2022–2024) that was conducted in two of the six asylum regions of the SEM. The results showed that the vast majority of reports concerned operational matters, while individual reports documented alleged incidents of violence or discrimination.
The call for proposals is available on the electronic procurement platform simap.ch; the application deadline is February 27, 2026. The federal government currently operates over 30 asylum accommodations with a total of approximately 8,200 places.
Key Messages
- Independent Oversight: The reporting office will be operated by an external, independent organization – not by the SEM itself.
- Broad Access: Both asylum seekers and staff members can submit reports.
- Holistic Approach: From advice to law enforcement – the reporting office functions as an interface to various specialist services.
- Evidence-Based: The pilot project provided concrete data on the type and frequency of reports.
- Scaling Planned: From two to six asylum regions – comprehensive nationwide implementation intended.
Stakeholders & Affected Parties
| Group | Role |
|---|---|
| Asylum seekers | Users of the reporting office; can report grievances |
| Staff in asylum accommodations | Can also submit reports |
| SEM | Client; responsible for quality assurance |
| Independent Operator Organization | Subject of call for proposals; carries operational responsibility |
| Expert and Counseling Services | Receive referrals for specialized support |
| Law Enforcement Authorities | Involved in serious cases |
| General Public | Benefits from increased transparency |
Opportunities & Risks
| Opportunities | Risks |
|---|---|
| Increased transparency and accountability | Insufficient awareness among asylum seekers |
| Early detection of grievances | Language barriers in reporting |
| Independent oversight strengthens trust | Potential lengthy processing times |
| Data foundation for quality improvements | Insufficient resources of operator organization |
| Prevention of violence and discrimination | Inadequate implementation of recommendations |
Action Relevance
For the SEM:
- Ensure that the selected organization has demonstrated expertise.
- Define clear interfaces and escalation procedures with specialist services.
- Establish regular reporting and evaluation mechanisms.
For Asylum Accommodations:
- Train staff on the reporting office and its use.
- Provide information materials in multiple languages.
For Operator Organizations:
- Use the application deadline (February 27, 2026).
- Submit evidence of independence, expertise, and capacity.
For the General Public:
- Expect transparency report after pilot phase; demand effectiveness assessment.
Quality Assurance & Fact-Checking
- [x] Central statements and figures verified (Source: SEM press release)
- [x] Pilot phase data validated
- [x] Dates and deadlines confirmed
- [ ] ⚠️ Detailed pilot project results not fully disclosed – only summary available
Supplementary Research
- Pilot Project Report: SEM – External Reporting Office in Asylum Regions (2022–2024)
- Asylum Legislation: Federal Council – Asylum Policy and Quality Standards in Accommodations
- Comparable Systems: Ombudsman offices in other European asylum systems (e.g., Switzerland, Germany, Austria)
References
Primary Source:
State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) – Press Release of January 12, 2026: "SEM Seeks Operator of External Reporting Office for Federal Asylum Centers"
https://www.news.admin.ch/de/newnsb/iKQRAAJTFQH7b7DKeWDUU
Supplementary Sources:
- SEM – Procurement Platform simap.ch (Call for Proposals External Reporting Office)
- SEM – Pilot Project "External Reporting Office" (2022–2024)
- Federal Council – Asylum Policy and Accommodations
Verification Status: ✓ Facts checked on January 12, 2026
Footer (Transparency Notice)
This text was created with the assistance of Claude.
Editorial responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-checking: January 12, 2026