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.
This content was published on
1 minute
swissinfo.ch/mga
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.
More
More
Up in arms: controversial legacies in Switzerland
This content was published on
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.
More
More
Switzerland joins debate about removing controversial memorials
This content was published on
Global anti-racism protests after the death of George Floyd have reignited the debate about contentious monuments in the US and Europe.
Swiss centre records over 200 victims of human trafficking
This content was published on
Last year 317 people took part in a protection programme run by the Specialist Unit for Trafficking in Women and Women’s Migration (FIZ) in German-speaking Switzerland.
This content was published on
The Geneva-based International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and partners are opening a field hospital in southern Gaza on Tuesday.
Lack of smartphone sustainability in Switzerland hits environment
This content was published on
Almost half of all Swiss citizens hang on to their old smartphones, tablets and laptops, according to the Federal Statistical Office.
Police clear out pro-Palestinian students protesting in Geneva
This content was published on
The police intervened early on Tuesday to dislodge pro-Palestinian students who had been occupying the University of Geneva for almost a week.
New gel developed in Zurich renders alcohol harmless
This content was published on
A newly developed gel composed of whey proteins breaks down alcohol in the body and could reduce its harmful and intoxicating effects in humans.
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.
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
Switzerland joins debate about removing controversial memorials
This content was published on
Global anti-racism protests after the death of George Floyd have reignited the debate about contentious monuments in the US and Europe.
This content was published on
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
This content was published on
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
This content was published on
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
This content was published on
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
This content was published on
The Alpine nation raised concerns about the dissolution of Russian human rights NGO Memorial International by the Supreme Court.
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.