![\"Logo](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ig_cover_3x2.jpg\")
<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
SWI swissinfo.ch <\/p>\n
On Inside Geneva this week, we unpick the divisive topic of migration and asylum. Why are some countries closing their doors?\n<\/p>\n
This content was published on <\/p>\n
February 17, 2026 – 10:00\n<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/imogen-foulkes-profileImage-46129263.png\")
<\/p>\n
\n Imogen Foulkes reports from Geneva for SWI swissinfo.ch as well as the BBC. <\/p>\n
\u201cIn Europe we are seeing one country after another erect barbed wire around their country and around a continent,\u201d says Jan Egeland, secretary general of the Norwegian Refugee Council.<\/p>\n
When does restricting immigration turn into human rights violation?<\/p>\n
\u201cWe believe it\u2019s within the rights of any government to set immigration policies that they believe make sense for their country and electorate. But setting lawful immigration policies does not mean that you have the right to mistreat migrants,\u201d says Philippe Bolopion, executive director at Human Rights Watch.<\/p>\n
Is immigration really a threat to our jobs or services?<\/p>\n
\u201cOverall, most studies are clear that migrant workers are not in competition with national workers in the labour market. [\u2026] In Western countries, the medical sector depends on migrant workers,\u201d says Vincent Chetail from the Global Migration Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute.<\/p>\n
Why are some of us so angry about immigration?<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are reaching a peak in violent anti\u2011migrant rhetoric, which has nothing to do with reality,\u201d continues Chetail.<\/p>\n
Many countries are cutting foreign aid and limiting immigration. A recipe for disaster?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u201cIf you want to live in a stable world without uncontrolled migration, pandemics and insecurity, then you invest in hope for people who have been displaced,\u201d says Egeland.<\/p>\n
Join host Imogen Foulkes on Inside Geneva for the full interview.<\/p>\n