Swiss agency suspends payments to migration platform
The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) has temporarily suspended payments to a civil society platform on migration issues. Financial conflicts of interest and accusations of pro-migration bias are being investigated.
On Thursday, the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) confirmed that the Swiss Civil Society Platform on Migration and DevelopmentExternal link will not be receiving any further funds. It was created by NGOs Helvetas and Caritas in 2015 to promote dialogue on migration issues. Several NGOs are members, as well as universities and a large number of organisations of different diasporas and associations of migrants of all nationalities.
Investigations have been opened due to internal conflicts over the project coordinator and accusations of “positive” propaganda on migration, financed by taxpayers’ money, which Caritas disputes.
The FDFA has given the project managers until next week to respond to the various allegations. At the request of the SDC, the General Assembly of the platform, which was scheduled to take place on Thursday, has been cancelled. The SDC has budgeted CHF2.5 million (around $2.48 million) to support the platform over six years (until October 2021). Approximately CHF1.3 million has been paid so far.
Pro-Palestine protests extend to Basel and Fribourg universities
This content was published on
Demonstrators called for an academic boycott of all Israeli institutions and disassociation with Chaim Weizmann, the first Israeli president.
This content was published on
In many cases, China's use of AI undermines the national security of the US and its allies, according to a US government representative.
Swiss Hells Angels trial alleges rape and money laundering
This content was published on
An allegedly high-ranking member of the Hells Angels is accused of money laundering totalling millions and rape, among other serious crimes.
Swiss rediscover communist zeal after 84-year hiatus
This content was published on
Over 300 participants founded the Revolutionary Communist Party (RKP) at its congress in Burgdorf in canton Bern at the weekend.
This content was published on
Nemo brought the Eurovision Song Contest to Switzerland with a victory on Saturday evening in Malmö, Sweden. It is Switzerland's third victory in the history of the music contest.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Where Swiss development aid meets migration
This content was published on
Controversial and currently on hold in Switzerland, the UN Migration Pact strives to help people live in peace and follow their dreams.
This content was published on
Forty years ago, 3,000 people gathered on Parliament Square, demanding a more humane policy towards foreigners based on equal rights.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.