Posted in16. June 2022, 17:29
Jan Weber (24) came to check the tickets on the train. Although he had a valid ticket, four bodyguards and two policemen were summoned. SBB defends itself.
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Jan Weber (24) complains about “racial profiling” after checking his ticket.
Private
He was treated “like a criminal” by SBB inspectors on the train to HB, despite having a valid ticket, says Weber.
20 minutes / Michael Scherrer
In such a situation, it is important to document the incident as accurately as possible, says Alma Więcken, director of the Federal Commission Against Racism (ECR).
Twenty minutes
Jan Weber (24) is on the train from Oerlikon to Zurich HB when several SBB inspectors enter the wagon. When the Swiss showed his Swisspass on the iPhone to an SBB employee, she looked at him critically. “She probably didn’t believe that a dark-skinned person could have a Swiss name and therefore asked for an official ID,” says Weber. Since he was not wearing it, the inspector called security. “After that, they prevented me from getting off at the main train station, even though I was on my way to work.”
At the Stadelhofen train station, the group was then on the platform and its personal details and address were recorded, says Weber. The security member then took his cell phone and refused to return it with the following words: “Is the cell phone in your name? You never know, »says Weber. “They treated me like a criminal, shamed me in public and even called the police.”
Weber says he felt humiliated. “I’ve experienced it before, but it hasn’t been that bad for a long time.” The whole thing made him uncomfortable and hurt him. “Do I always have to be afraid of a scene like this when I’m on public transport?”
The EKR recommends that the incident be thoroughly documented
In such a situation, it is important to document the incident as accurately as possible, says Alma Więcken, Managing Director of the Federal Commission Against Racism (FCR): “The date, place and name of the people involved, the detailed description of the incident and all witnesses and witnesses identified are addressed.” victims can contact the counseling network for victims of racism at any time, where they can receive individual advice and support.
The EKR and the clinic were regularly visited by people who, due to their appearance, were increasingly checked by the police, Wiecken says. “There have already been cases reported in which the behavior of SBB employees during ticket inspections was viewed as discriminatory.” However, he cannot comment on individual cases: “We cannot comment on this because we do not have all the information.”
SBB: “Our staff treats everyone equally”
According to SBB, customers traveling with Swisspass Mobile must show an official ID to inspection staff if requested. “The regulations say unequivocally:“ ID is required to verify Swisspass Mobile, ”says SBB spokesman Daniele Pallecchi. He could confirm that Mr. Weber had been subjected to ticket inspection, but not his descriptions. “Our training and audit staff treat all customers with respect and treat everyone equally,” says Pallecchi.
Ticket control operated in accordance with the regulations, as the client could not identify himself as required. “We recommend all customers, without exception, to have an official ID when using Swisspass Mobile as required.”
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