Mar 11, 2010 - 19:56

US human rights report attacks Switzerland

Switzerland has come under criticism in a key United States human rights report as an example of anti-Muslim discrimination in Europe.

The US State Department’s annual report on Human Rights released in Washington on Thursday cites in its introduction last November’s popular vote in Switzerland to ban the building of minarets. It describes growing European discrimination against Muslims as “ an increasing concern”.

Elsewhere the report mentions bans and restrictions on Muslim head scarves and burkas in France, Germany, and the Netherlands. It says that Muslims in the Netherlands are the victims of frequent minor acts of discrimination, including intimidation, brawls and abusive graffiti.

In its section on Switzerland the report says that the police at times used excessive force “occasionally with impunity”.

“Other human rights problems were lengthy pretrial detention, instances of societal discrimination against Muslims, anti-Semitic incidents, violence against women, trafficking in persons, and discrimination against minorities,” it adds.

The report examines the state of human rights in 194 countries. It levels its strongest criticisms at Belarus, China, Cuba, Iran, Myanmar, North Korea, Russia, Sudan, Syria and Zimbabwe.

swisinfo.ch and agencies

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Alexander McNeil Pryde, New Zealand

Boycott America. From a grumpy Canadian

weavo4, United States

This report by the U.S. is completely bogus. Three cheers, and much respect to the European nations who are recognizing the threat that Islam represents. You have to lauch at the U.S. and their government. By trying to appease the Muslim nations, and by purposefully ignoring the threat of Islam, and their inability to assimilate to become a part of society in any nation they immigrate to, you reall have to appreciate the joke and laughter represented in this report. The U.S. has no idea about the threat of Islam. When we in America have the same troubles one day, that are now present by the Muslim populations in Europe, then Europe only needs to remind the U.S. about their absurd report in 2010, accusing Europe of taking action that people in the U.S, do not have the courage, or the intellegince to pursue. You have to admit the country of my birth, is incredibily insane, in their pitiful attempt at world leadership, and giving moral ethics classes to the world.

Chris King, United Kingdom

Switzerland hasn't killed millions of Muslims with sanctions, invasions and occupations with theft of their oil as well. In fact Switzerland has never invaded any other county, whereas the US has a long list of foreign aggressions. I would have thought that the kidnapping, torture and imprisonment of innocent Muslims without charge for years looks like discrimination - or is all this just plain war crimes? Switzerland has taken two Uighurs from Guantanamo in trying, with others to clean up some of the the criminal humanitarian mess caused by the USA.

Douglas, Switzerland

Typical hypocrisy from the US to criticize ANYONE's actions when they themselves have broken dozen's of international laws (and their own constitution) over the last 9 years. Yes, the banning of minarets was a stupid thing to do. Bravo Switzerland, you are now on a very short list of backward, fanatic countries that do not have religious freedom (Saudia Arabia, etc..) but in the USA, the government has christian prayer sessions at all levels of the government, gives the lion's share of public funds to christian so-called charities, and while the right to worship as you please is for the most part protected, there is little doubt about what would happen if a right-wing demagogue (take your pick, they are a dime a dozen)started calling for a ban on Islamic dress or behavour, Hindu practices, etc. I would love to see Switzerland finally stand up and give the finger to the USA, but not over this issue. Switzerland, you should be ashamed of yourselves and seriously worried about the direction your democracy is headed. Heven forbid that it sink to the banana republic level we see today in the USA.

Patricia, Switzerland

Isn't it strange how the U.S. always seems to look the other was when it comes to Israel? Not allowing Minarets is absolutely NOTHING compared to Israel's horrific treatment of Palestinians!

KNM, Switzerland

I must say as an American/Swiss person that most of these comments are rubbish. The US has every right to cite growing discrimination against muslims as a potential harbinger of problems to come. Labeling this as "human rights abuses" is probably a bit extreme, though. Discrimination exists everywhere.... but, the US still beats Europe manifold when it comes to offering opportunity to a wide and diverse population. Europe should try doing that instead of holding onto the old stereotypes and protecting the class structure so much. And the Swiss, well, most just want to the carpenters, plumbers, nurses, and teachers. They don't wish to get university educated so no wonder they think the way they do....

Ann, United Kingdom

Well said Alan - Vive la Suisse !!

cj coates, Australia

It is a joke, that Mrs Clinton on behalf of the USA can dare to call, Switzerland guilty of human rights. How dare she, when Mexicans are dying on the border in the US war on drugs. Legalize it Mrs Clinton, and save lives. That would be the better stand on human rights.

Alan, United States

The hypocrisy makes my head spin. The United States goes to war over Muslim extremism, bombs the wrong country looking for weapons of mass destruction that are not there, killing millions of civilians, then Libya declares "Holy War" against Switzerland but the Swiss are not allowed protect themselves? This is insane.

Ace, United States

The only thing that you have proved is that they are right - you all sound like you are discriminating against Muslims and Americans.

andre, -

Curious thing...water-boarding - U.S.patent pending probably... In any even, I am sure a person dressed in a burka would be denied access to many places in the U.S., and rightly so ! The U.S. should look at themselves before others.

stefi, United States

Pay no attention to the US State Department. It is dysfunctional. I only wish that US State Department were more discriminatory. The 9/ll terrorist attack and the others that followed would have been prevented. Political Correctness can get you killed.

bowater, Canada

when the Muslims stop discriminating against their own people(women) only then can they receive fair treatment by the Swiss. Go Swiss!

Michael, Switzerland

Really??? Do the Swiss commenters view the US as being more biased in terms of prejudice towards immigrants? Time to take off the Alpine glasses....blasting the US for every wrong is so last year.

Kev, Singapore

Typical, the US lectures everybody else on human rights while it continues to occupy others countries, imprisions people without trial in Guantanamo. We brits have a saying which is "this is the pot calling the kettle black"

Stephan, Switzerland

Oh my, oh my, perhaps they should start on their own doorstep first before preaching to the world. I think an "increasing concern" has been the way they treat Mexicans and Cubans for a start. I am sure that list is far from extensive!!!

OL, Switzerland

of course not Paul, maybe you don't know but US it's a paradise)))))))

hans, Australia

Since when are the US an Authority on Human Rights?

Paul Schneider, Canada

Of course there aren't any abuses in the U.S., right?

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