Activists, academics demand apology on behalf of former Swiss diplomat

Forty-five civil society leaders, including academics and professionals, have written to Sushma Swaraj, Minister of External Affairs, regarding ill-treatment and deportation of a former Swiss diplomat, Kurt Vögele. The 75-year-old Swiss diplomat was detained from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport last month.

Calling Vögele a “longtime friend of India”, the letter demanded an explanation for Vögele’s “blacklisting without any prior intimation” and an apology for the treatment that was meted out to him. The letter also demands that “any blacklisting of Vögele must be revoked forthwith.”

Vögele, a senior official with the Swiss Development Corporation, has worked with major development institutions and has devoted most of his life aiding India’s progress, the letter states, adding that he was also instrumental in providing major assistance during 2001 Kutch earthquake.

Vögele, who was visiting India on an invitation from Gagan Sethi, a social activist associated with various NGOs, was denied entry and was allegedly told that he had no rights to enter India, reports state. “You can imagine the shock, apprehension and anxiety of a 75-year-old man at being so undeservedly isolated and stripped of his right of entry,” the letter states.

Earlier, other members of the civil society and prominent lawyers have also expressed their concern over the incident.