The victims came from countries including Nigeria, Hungary, Afghanistan, and Romania, and were often destined for the prostitution industry, FIZ said. However, a growing number are also being trafficked for work in private homes or the accommodation sector.
Cases were reported in 14 of Switzerland’s 26 cantons. More than one-third of the trafficked women were asylum seekers who sought protection after arriving in Switzerland.
As part of its work, FIZ provided support and counselling to 61 such victims in 2019. The Zurich-based group works with church groups to provide care for victims of trafficking.
In 2018, the group recorded 108 new cases of human trafficking in the country.
Should raw milk sales be banned or should consumers decide?
Swiss food regulations do not allow raw milk to be sold for direct consumption. However, a loophole allows 400 raw milk vending machines to do just that.
Russian prosecutor seeks jail for French researcher tied to Swiss NGO
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A Russian prosecutor asked a court to jail Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher working for a Swiss NGO, alleging he broke Russia’s “foreign agent” laws.
Greenwashing is on the decline but not in Switzerland
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For the first time in six years, the number of greenwashing cases has fallen worldwide. But the challenges remain, as a new study shows.
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The people's initiative for a future without animal experiments in Switzerland has passed the 100,000 mark in certified signatures.
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Swiss flavour and fragrance firm Givaudan is strengthening its presence in Southeast Asia with the construction of a new plant in Indonesia.
Swiss siblings nominated for international film music award
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With their double nomination at the World Soundtrack Awards, the Swiss-Australian Baldenweg sibling trio are making history for Switzerland.
Switzerland calls on Israel to halt attacks on Unifil in Lebanon
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Switzerland has called on the Israeli army to immediately cease all attacks on the UN observer mission Unifil in Lebanon.
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Human trafficking: Swiss urged to improve victim protection
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Switzerland has been told by the Council of Europe that it needs to step up efforts to tackle human trafficking and protect unaccompanied children.
More Nigerian women and asylum seekers being trafficked
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Last year, the proportion of human trafficking victims who are also asylum seekers tripled in the Zurich region, according to a Swiss advocacy group’s annual report.
Human trafficking remains a problem for Switzerland
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Taken together with the 113 ongoing consultations from previous years, FIZ says the number of cases of women being trafficked into the country (many for prostitution) remains high. In 2017, FIZ provided support for 228 women. To combat the problem, FIZExternal link has joined forces with Church groups to provide better care for the victims. The Zurich-based entity will receive funding…
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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.