War graves monument with Nazi links found in Switzerland
A monument to German war dead, which has links to Nazi sympathisers, is the source of embarrassment in a city in southeast Switzerland.
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The large stone monument has been discovered by Swiss public television SRF in a cemetery in Chur, where it was erected in 1938.
It was built by the German War Graves Commission to commemorate soldiers lost during World War I. The problem is that the War Graves Commission was deeply influenced by Nazi philosophy in the 1930s.
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Up in arms: controversial legacies in Switzerland
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The debate on how to deal with racist monuments and symbols has been reignited in Switzerland.
The organisation had hoped to erect a number of monuments in German-speaking Switzerland in the same era, but the plan was stopped by adverse public sentiment, according to SRF.
After World War II, Switzerland purged Nazi groups and their supporters from the country. But the monument was left behind and forgotten about until now.
Several monuments linked to slavery and racism in different locations have come under the spotlight.
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Switzerland joins debate about removing controversial memorials
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Global anti-racism protests after the death of George Floyd have reignited the debate about contentious monuments in the US and Europe.
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A “Tête de femme” floor lamp by Swiss artist Alberto Giacometti topped the million-franc mark at a Piguet auction in Geneva.
UN rights expert criticises Swiss pressure in trade negotiations
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The UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food has accused EFTA countries of pressuring Thailand and Malaysia in trade deals.
Switzerland gives CHF60 million to Ukraine for digitalisation
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The Swiss government has agreed to give war-ravaged Ukraine CHF58.7 million ($65.5 million) towards the digitalisation of its public administration.
Three people arrested in Switzerland in international drug gang crackdown
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International co-operation led to 17 people being arrested in six European countries and large quantities of drugs also being seized.
Federal Council banks on R&D to strengthen Swiss solar industry
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The Swiss government opposes the deployment of special industrial policy or measures to help boost the domestic photovoltaic industry.
Swiss president envisions follow-ups to peace summit
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Swiss President Viola Amherd hopes the first Ukraine peace conference will build trust and seek solutions for safety and security issues.
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With use of drugs such as crack on the rise, the government wants to invest in additional facilities for people suffering from addiction.
Alleged French spy tied to Swiss NGO arrested in Russia
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The man, who Russia has claimed was trying to obtain information about the Russian military, was confirmed to be a French citizen working for a Geneva-based NGO.
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.
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Switzerland joins debate about removing controversial memorials
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Global anti-racism protests after the death of George Floyd have reignited the debate about contentious monuments in the US and Europe.
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Which monuments shape the public sphere is determined by tradition and administration. This should change, argues a group of academics and curators.
Johann August Sutter: a Swiss pioneer with a dark side
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From hero of the old West to racist colonialist: opinion on Swiss pioneer Johann August Sutter has changed in recent decades.
Zurich’s historical ties to slave trade are exposed
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As a result, the city’s authorities are examining several statues to see if they are suitable monuments and are looking into ways to highlight its murky past. The University of Zurich study highlights several investments, direct holdings and trade links between the Swiss city and slavery, mainly in the 18th century. The city itself bought…
University of Geneva removes controversial building name
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The University of Geneva has decided to remove the name of “Carl Vogt”, a 19th-century naturalist accused of holding racist views, from a building.
Switzerland calls ban of Memorial International a violation of freedom
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The Alpine nation raised concerns about the dissolution of Russian human rights NGO Memorial International by the Supreme Court.
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