Observer 21/07: Text: Urs von Tobel / Photo: Renate Wernli
Twelve-year-old Sonia Idemudia can stay in Switzerland until the Zurich cantonal government has ruled on her lawyer's appeal.
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| Sonia is allowed to stay in Switzerland for the time being. |
“The suspensive effect of the appeal also means that a positive decision is possible,” lawyer Marc Spescha interprets the recent ruling. A brief look back: Two years ago, Sonia’s father, Elvis Faluyi Idemudia, a Swiss citizen of Nigerian origin, brought his daughter illegally into Switzerland. When he tried to legalize her presence, the migration office refused.
The argument was that Sonia had lived for ten years in Nigeria with her grandmother, now 67, and grandfather, who is 89, and that her ties to her grandparents were stronger than those to her father, who was absent for a long time (see related article). The fact that Sonia had learned remarkably good German in just two years, and that teachers and school psychologists spoke of successful integration, was ignored. Sonia herself leaves no doubt that she does not want to return to Nigeria. Her Swiss friends insist she must stay. Now it is up to the cantonal government – a little humanity would surely be appropriate.