Travelling communities need more space in Switzerland, says report
A Yenish site near Zurich.
Keystone/ennio Leanza
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
2 minutes
Keystone-SDA/dos
The 47 areas in the country would need to be supplemented by 80 to 90 new sites in order to meet the needs of travelling minority groups, the foundation said on Thursday.
The report, published every five years, looks at the situation of sites in the country where Yenish and Sinti (ethnic Swiss communities) and Roma (who travel through Switzerland each year from surrounding countries) can stop and live for a time.
The report says 16 such sites are available in winter for the Yenish and Sinti and 24 during the “travelling period”, of which eight are only temporary.
For the Roma, who tend to travel in Switzerland between February and October, seven sites are available – not enough, says the foundation, resulting in potential tensions both among the Roma themselves and with local Swiss communities.
More
More
Switzerland’s nomads face an endangered way of life
This content was published on
Switzerland recognises its nomadic people as a national minority but a decline in the number of stopping areas is threatening their way of life.
In Switzerland a law for the protection of minority groups means that national, regional, and local authorities are responsible for ensuring enough stopping sites are made available for these groups.
Simon Röthlisberger, the secretary-general of the foundation, said that “politicians need to assume their responsibilities”, even if some cantons have already announced plans for new sites.
Yenish and Sinti have been recognised as a national ethnic minority in Switzerland since 1999, when the country signed the Council of Europe’s Framework ConventionExternal link for the protection of minorities.
An estimated 30,000 Yenish live in Switzerland, some 3,000 of whom maintain the travelling way of life. Only about 400 Sinti are left, though the group is also found in Germany, France, and Italy.
More
More
The trouble with travellers
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…
Train vs plane: would you take a direct train between London and Geneva?
Eurostar is planning to run direct trains from Britain to Germany and Switzerland from the early 2030s. Would you favour the train over the plane? If not, why not?
Switzerland wants to examine cooperation with the EU in the defence sector
This content was published on
The Federal Council wants to examine a security and defence partnership with the EU. Exploratory talks are to begin as soon as possible. Among other things, the partnership would be used for defence procurement.
Swiss trial shows organic farming is 85% as productive as conventional agriculture
This content was published on
This is shown by the results of a globally unique open-air trial that has been running for 47 years in Therwil in the canton of Basel-Landschaft.
Nestlé fined by Swiss canton for illegally filtered water
This content was published on
Nestlé has been fined CHF 500,000 in the canton of Vaud for the unauthorised use of activated carbon filters in the production of mineral water. The filters were used to produce Henniez water from 2008 to 2022.
Swiss government proposes restrictions on Ukrainian refugees
This content was published on
Only those whose life and limb are at risk in Ukraine and who flee to Switzerland are to be granted S status in future. The remaining Ukrainian refugees should apply for asylum. This is what the Federal Council is proposing.
This content was published on
The Fribourg parliament approved a sum of CHF6.4 million to renovate the ramparts, the walkway and the towers, as well as to replace the exterior lighting.
Swiss rental housing listings increase for the first time in three years
This content was published on
For the first time in three years, the number of advertisements for rental accommodation is on the rise, but this does not dampen demand, quite the contrary. In Ticino, the average duration of an advertisement published on the main portals is 30 days.
Switzerland doing relatively well when it comes to child vaccination rates
This content was published on
Progress in child immunisation has stalled. For decades, the number of children vaccinated against measles, polio and other diseases has risen. But since 2010, vaccination rates have stagnated in many countries, according to a study.
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
The ‘travellers’ at home across Switzerland
This content was published on
This series of pictures shows daily life in the Jenish community over the years.
But who are these 'travellers', as they're often called?
This content was published on
A campaign group and several Swiss police officers have called for more transit sites for the large Roma communities who travel to Switzerland.
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.