Swimming Pool Access Restricted to Locals in Swiss City

Authorities report a noticeable rise in membership sign-ups at a swimming pool in Porrentruy, Switzerland, following a recent ban on foreign access. The pool has implemented a policy that allows entry only to individuals holding a Swiss passport or a valid residence permit, following incidents involving immigrants.

Lionel Maître, an official overseeing local leisure activities, mentioned in a newspaper interview that the ban seems to have been effective. He remarked, “We’ve taken strong measures this season. We’ll have to consider what to do next season, but if it comes to it, we won’t hesitate to implement it again.”

Since the swimming season began, usage has reportedly dropped dramatically — from 23 events down to none since the ban was enforced. Additionally, local patrons of the pool have expressed a sense of relief, mentioning that past interactions between lifeguards and some young men of immigrant backgrounds often revolved around hygiene practices, like showering before swimming.

Officials pointed out that, as foreigners currently face higher admission fees, enforcing the ban through passport checks shouldn’t be overly complicated. However, the policy has drawn criticism, viewed by some as racist and discriminatory, including members of the local Socialist Party.

Matilde Kreboisier, a councillor from the party, stated, “The ban is disproportionate. While there are indeed issues to address, targeting a group in this manner isn’t a solution. We’re located in central Europe and want to avoid discrimination.”

Swimming pools have increasingly become focal points for tensions surrounding multiculturalism in Europe, especially after the immigration crisis of 2015. In a related incident last week, four Syrian males were arrested for allegedly harassing an 11-year-old girl at a public pool in central Germany.

In 2022, the head of a German police union commented that violent incidents in swimming pools often involve young men of immigrant descent, suggesting that political leaders tend to shy away from confronting the issue. Additionally, in 2019, Michel Kunz from the Swiss Lifeguarding Association noted that female lifeguards frequently face disrespect from young male immigrants, indicating that cultural clashes tend to unfold in such environments.