Cluster: Swiss Abroad

Firms close ranks over rejected asylum seekers

This content was published on Jul 22, 2005 If they fail to do so by the end of the month, they could be hit with fines of up to SFr5,000 ($3,900) per illegal employee. In April this year the authorities in Vaud announced that all rejected asylum seekers facing expulsion would no longer be allowed to work in the canton, bringing it into…

Swiss Politics

ICRC opens office in China

This content was published on Jul 22, 2005 The ICRC delegation posted there is also covering North and South Korea as well as Mongolia in an effort to boost its presence in the region. The aid organisation said its main activities would be aimed at promoting and implementing international humanitarian law. It also hopes to increase cooperation with national Red Cross societies, notably…

Refugee chief calls for more tolerance

This content was published on Jul 21, 2005 Speaking in Geneva on Thursday, Antonio Guterres said the heightened security risk should not stop countries opening their doors to asylum seekers. “Refugees are not terrorists, they are in fact often the first victims of terrorism,” Guterres told his first news conference as High Commissioner for Refugees. He said asylum seekers should receive better protection…

Swiss Politics

Iraqis offered vision of peaceful diplomacy

This content was published on Jul 21, 2005 Ahead of the visit, Gérard Stoudmann, director of the Geneva Centre For Security Policy (GCSP), told swissinfo that it was important for Iraq to be prepared for what the future might bring. The Iraqis will attend a two-week course at the GCSP where they will be introduced to various aspects of the multilateral system from…

Swiss Politics

Swiss strength lies in inclusion of minorities

This content was published on Jul 20, 2005 The former vice-chancellor and government spokesman, whose memories of government business go back a quarter of a century, told swissinfo he was concerned at the growing polarisation of political life. At the age of 63, Casanova decided to step down before “the inexorable age limit” forced his departure. Casanova was one of very few high-ranking…

Swiss Politics

Vote on EU accords bridged cultural divide

This content was published on Jul 19, 2005 In a nationwide vote on June 5 the Swiss made clear their preference for an open Switzerland closely integrated with Europe. Voting patterns largely reflected party-political support. The referendum called for closer cooperation with the European Union on security and asylum issues. The analysis, conducted by the Bern-based GfS polling institute, revealed declining support among…

Swiss Politics

Swiss confirm commitment to Iraq

This content was published on Jul 18, 2005 Bern added that it would be sending a federalism expert to Baghdad to help officials who are drawing up a new constitution for the country. The coordination office of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) in the Jordanian capital Amman is representing Switzerland at the two-day event. SDC spokesman Jean-Philippe Jutzi said that…

Swiss Politics

Swiss offer their services for UN reform

This content was published on Jul 16, 2005 Meetings are due to take place in New York this weekend to discuss three different proposals. Switzerland, Sweden, the Netherlands and New Zealand had joined forces and were hoping to win the two-thirds majority needed, said Peter Maurer, the Swiss ambassador to the UN, in New York on Friday. The proposals include the right to…

Swiss Politics

EU to open office in Bern “by end of year”

This content was published on Jul 15, 2005 Details of the plan to establish a diplomatic presence in Switzerland come two months ahead of a key nationwide vote on Swiss ties with the European Union. Switzerland is not an EU member but has negotiated a series of bilateral accords with Brussels. EU diplomats stress that the aim of the new office – which…

Swiss Politics

Monitors give Kyrgyz election thumbs up

This content was published on Jul 11, 2005 Heinz Rudolf von Rohr said international monitors had found the poll “much better” than previous elections but he warned that the new president needed to reestablish trust in the government. Bakiyev scored a landslide victory on Sunday winning 89 per cent of the vote. He was appointed acting president following the downfall of former leader…

Cluster: Swiss Abroad

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Cluster: Swiss Abroad

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Firms close ranks over rejected asylum seekers

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ICRC opens office in China

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Refugee chief calls for more tolerance

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Iraqis offered vision of peaceful diplomacy

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Swiss strength lies in inclusion of minorities

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Vote on EU accords bridged cultural divide

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Swiss confirm commitment to Iraq

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Swiss offer their services for UN reform

More

EU to open office in Bern “by end of year”

More

Monitors give Kyrgyz election thumbs up

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