“Outside there is Switzerland” – Childrens everyday lives in Swiss asylum camps

Compared to unaccompanied minors, children seeking asylum alongside their parents are perceived as less vulnerable, protected by their parents who are often held accountable in political discourse for the conditions in which their children are growing up. This paper presents findings from the ethnographic study Waiting for Transfer, which was published last year. Over the course of a year, the daily lives of 44 children aged 0 to 18, being placed in a Swiss asylum camp, were meticulously examined for a total of 356 hours. The study employed participant observation, ethnographic interviews, and analyses of children's drawings.

The results illuminate the children's perception of being compelled to remain in an isolated non-place, which they actively seek to avoid while remaining tethered to it. The children vividly articulate feelings of disgust, fear, boredom, and sadness, expressing concern for their parents and taking responsibility for their well-being. They experience a sense of exclusion and invisibility, envisioning their "normal lives" only beginning when they move out, which may take several months or even multiple years. Only then do they consider themselves to have arrived in Switzerland, a country they claim begins beyond the camp walls. The study's findings will be discussed in relation to how the European asylum regime contributes to the vulnerability and exclusion of children and their families. This is evident in the denial of their rights and basic needs, ultimately contributing to the political failure to achieve the sustainable development goal of reducing inequalities.