Government urged to spend more to fight racism

The parliamentary group against racism and xenophobia has called on the government to increase the anti-racism commission's capacity to fight intolerance. The statement follows the recent increase in right-wing incidents in Switzerland.

In the statement on Monday, the group said it was alarmed at the growth of right-wing extremism, and that more had to be done – and as soon as possible – to combat intolerance.

The group’s president, the parliamentarian, Rosmarie Dormann, has demanded a meeting with the cabinet ministers Ruth Dreifuss and Kaspar Villiger, during the next parliamentary session in Autumn.

Over the last few years, the group has repeated that the anti-racism commission’s budget of SFr150,000 is insufficient. The group has demanded that the budget be increased in 2001 to effectively combat neo-nazi activities.

The call comes amid rising concern about an increase in violent right-wing extremism. On Sunday, four people were injured after a violent confrontation between 50 skinheads and 80 members of the African Club in St Gallen.

The police have launched an investigation into the incident.

Last week the Justice Minister, Ruth Metzler, called for people to be vigilant towards the extremists.

Meanwhile, the organisation “Open Hearts” and the Zurich parliamentarian, Roland Wiederkehr, have announced plans to lead a national demonstration against right-wing extremism in the capital, Berne on September 15 or 16.

swissinfo with agencies