Zumikon – ESI in Switzerland on migration, freedom of movement, and human rights

Zumikon. Photo: flickr/Michael Bernath

ESI’s Gerald Knaus spoke at an event in Zumikon, Switzerland, organized in cooperation with the Green Party of Zürich.

Gerald discussed the connection between migration policy, democracy, and the future of European integration. He argued that authoritarian actors such as Vladimir Putin have exploited migration crises to strengthen nationalist and anti-European forces, while democratic governments have too often failed to establish migration systems that are both credible and humane. This threatens the free movement of people in Europe, an issue critical to Switzerland’s prosperity, as well as liberal democracy in Europe more broadly.

Drawing on ESI’s research, Gerald pointed to the EU-Turkey agreement as an example of how orderly migration management can reduce irregular crossings and save lives. He stressed that preserving free movement in Europe depends on maintaining public trust that migration can be managed effectively and fairly. Partnerships based on legal returns and organised resettlement, he argued, can create safe pathways for migrants, weaken smugglers, and demonstrate that democratic states are capable of combining control with humanitarian principles.

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Event Flyer. Photo: ESI