On Wednesday the government approved this annual contingent for 2020 and 2021 as part of its participation in a UNHCR resettlementExternal link scheme.
At least 80% of these refugees must come from crisis regions in the Middle East and regions along the migration route to the central Mediterranean, according to a government statementExternal link. The remaining 20% of the contingent is to be kept for use in short-term emergency situations.
The government decided in November 2018 to continue Switzerland’s participation in the UNHCR resettlement programme. In consultation with cantons, towns and local governments, it plans to adopt a programme every two years for the resettlement of 1,500 to 2,000 refugees.
The Swiss Refugee CouncilExternal link on Wednesday welcomed the government’s decision to set regular contingents for recognised refugees but said the annual maximum of 800 for 2020 and 2021 was not enough given the record number of refugees worldwide. Millions of people are risking their lives on the migration routes or languishing in detention camps with terrible conditions, it said.
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Swiss Politics
Swiss to continue to take in vulnerable refugees
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Switzerland will take in 800 vulnerable refugees from conflict zones in 2019, mostly from Syria, the government has said.
Swiss political parties report income of CHF22.4 million for 2024
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Ten parties reported income totalling CHF22.4 million for 2024, less than in the 2023 election year. The reports are based on the regulations for transparency in political financing.
FIFA loses multi-million lawsuit against Blatter and Kattner
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Former FIFA officials Joseph Blatter and Markus Kattner do not have to pay back their own bonuses or the bonus totalling CHF 23 million paid to another FIFA official to FIFA. This was decided by the Zurich Labour Court.
How cancer cells makes healthy cells work for them
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Cancer cells manipulate neighbouring cells for their own purposes: a research team at ETH Zurich has discovered that they can reprogram neighbouring cells in such a way that they help the tumour to grow.
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The ban on non-residents entering the swimming pool in Porrentruy, canton Jura, expires on Sunday and would be extended until the end of the season, the mayor said.
Natural disasters: most Swiss back forced resettlement
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The authorities should be allowed to order forced relocations if there is a medium-term risk of a natural event, according to 58% of participants in a survey.
US ends duty-free for parcels from all over the world
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Postal service providers in numerous countries such as Switzerland have announced that they will no longer accept most parcels destined for the US.
Cantons to offer ‘pre-apprenticeship’ training to refugees
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Switzerland is rolling out a pilot scheme to help refugees and asylum seekers allowed to stay in the country prepare for an apprenticeship.
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Most asylum proceedings are now to be completed within 140 days in federal asylum seekers’ centres. This compares with an average of 280 days in 2015. The reform was approved by two-thirds of Swiss voters in spring 2016. + Read more about the 2016 vote on accelerated asylum procedures As of March 1, asylum…
Switzerland urged to be more flexible on vulnerable refugees
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Switzerland is being urged to stop sending vulnerable asylum seekers back to Italy so long as adequate reception for them is not guaranteed there.
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