Switzerland considers more transit sites for itinerate communities
Switzerland is deemed to have insufficient transit stops for itinerate communities.
Keystone/ennio Leanza
The Council of Europe has called on Switzerland to set up more transit sites and short stay areas for itinerate people moving through the country, particularly Yenish and Sinti/Manush minorities and Roma communities.
This content was published on
2 minutes
swissinfo.ch/mga
In response, the Swiss government said on Thursday that it agreed in principle but that the challenges are complex.
The Council of Europe’s Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities issued its fifth report on Switzerland on Thursday.
It praised Swiss efforts to promote a multicultural society but said minority languages should be better incorporated.
“While acknowledging the efforts made to promote a multicultural society, the Committee urges the Swiss authorities to review their legislation to ensure that the principle of non-discrimination and equal access to rights for persons belonging to national minorities is secured,” the report stated.
It also expressed concern about “reports of a rise in instances of racism and intolerance, including antigypsyism, antisemitism, anti-Muslim and anti-Black racism, particularly on social media”.
Switzerland should do more to tackle hate speech on social media, the Council of Europe said.
The Swiss government said it “underlines the importance of combating all forms of racism and intolerance.”
University students in Switzerland join Gaza protest wave
This content was published on
Pro-Palestinian activists occupied university buildings in Lausanne, Geneva and Zurich on Tuesday, widening the protest movement in the Alpine nation.
TradeXBank to resume full operations after Sberbank Switzerland taken off sanctions list
This content was published on
TradeXBank, the former Swiss branch of Russia’s Sberbank, will be able to resume its dollar-denominated activities from the second half of this year.
Geneva decides not to remove controversial memorials
This content was published on
The city of Geneva has presented an action plan regarding a series of controversial local statues and monuments of historical figures linked to racism, colonialism or slavery.
University of Lausanne calls for end to pro-Palestine sit-in
This content was published on
The pro-Palestinian occupation continues at the University of Lausanne (UNIL). On Monday evening, a group of students refused to agree to the deadline set by the rectorate.
Ukraine peace conference should include Russia, says Chinese ambassador
This content was published on
China supports a peace conference on the Ukraine war that would see equal participation of all parties, says Chinese Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui.
This content was published on
A majority of Swiss citizens have open attitudes towards various infertility treatments, including even egg donation, which is currently prohibited.
Reports of Swiss cyber fraud almost doubled in six months
This content was published on
The head of the new Federal Office for Cybersecurity (FOC), Florian Schütz, has presented a new strategy after just over four months in office.
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
UN body concerned at rise of racist hate speech in Switzerland
This content was published on
The United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) sees a rise in racist hate speech and racial profiling in Switzerland.
Travelling communities need more space in Switzerland, says report
This content was published on
The number of stopping sites for Yenish, Sinti and Roma communities in Switzerland is still insufficient, says a foundation for travelling peoples.
This content was published on
Ernst Lehmann has nothing bad to say about his new, temporary neighbours beyond the fact that they hooked up a hose to a tap in his garden without asking. The spry retiree continually stops his gardening to look over the fence at the field occupied by the Jenish group’s dozens of vehicles. With the exception…
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.