Cluster: Swiss Abroad

Switzerland – last hope for asylum seekers

This content was published on Jan 15, 2003 Eurodac is the first European information system comparing fingerprints of asylum applicants and illegal immigrants. It is being adopted by all signatories to the Dublin convention on asylum to identify asylum seekers who have already lodged applications with an EU member state. The aim is to prevent asylum seekers from lodging applications in more than…

Swiss Politics

Asylum numbers steady despite more applicants

This content was published on Jan 14, 2003 However, the number of asylum seekers in the country remained the same because large numbers went home. The number of asylum seekers and refugees living in Switzerland remained stable last year, mainly because of increased repatriations. Although applications for asylum increased by over 26 per cent, 17,000 asylum seekers went home, meaning that the overall…

Swiss Politics

Sporting talk seeks to promote peace

This content was published on Jan 13, 2003 The meeting, scheduled for February in Magglingen, canton Bern, is the first of its kind and will bring together politicians, business people, scientists and sports personalities. Ogi, who is UN Special Adviser on Sport for Development and Peace, said the meeting would look at how sport could help people and countries to work more closely…

Swiss Politics

Government seeks to make peace promotion law

This content was published on Jan 13, 2003 Parliament is to consider the proposal this year, along with a government request for a credit of SFr240 million ($160 million) to fund efforts abroad. “I really hope this draft law will be accepted by parliament because it weighs on one of the central aims of the foreign ministry,” said Radical Lili Nabholz, president of…

Swiss Politics

Small country view hinders Swiss ambitions abroad

This content was published on Jan 12, 2003 But there is little expectation abroad of any great change in policy as long as Switzerland remains wedded to neutrality and outside the European Union. “The stress is on continuity and reliability,” Michael Bergius, the European Union correspondent for the Frankfurter Rundschau in Brussels, told swissinfo. “This makes Switzerland a trusty partner. “But the Swiss…

Swiss Politics

New Radicals’ president takes centre stage

This content was published on Jan 11, 2003 Christiane Langenberger, a senator from canton Vaud, will lead the party into the country’s October elections. The centre-right Radical Party is one of nine parties currently represented in the Swiss government. The presidential race was decided at the party conference in Lucerne on Saturday. Langenberger polled a total of 181 votes, beating her rival, Trix…

Swiss Politics

Asylum deals provoke storm of criticism

This content was published on Jan 10, 2003 Human rights groups criticised in particular the treaty with Senegal which allows Switzerland to deport West African asylum seekers to holding centres in that country. The deal is the first of its kind with an African state, and has been hailed by Jean-Daniel Gerber, head of Switzerland’s Federal Office for Refugees, as a great success.…

Swiss Politics

Politician adds colour to parliamentary debates

This content was published on Jan 9, 2003 While others read papers or stare off into the distance, Social Democrat Andreas Gross passes the time drawing elaborate abstract pictures. “Drawing is the ideal way of concentrating on the vote,” Gross says in his defence. “It means I don’t have to fight off sleep the way my colleagues do.” But Gross’s doodling habit also…

Swiss Politics

Swiss repatriation treaty condemned by NGOs

This content was published on Jan 7, 2003 Two non-govermental organisations (NGOs) called the initiative an insult to West Africans. The criticism came during a visit to Senegal by the Swiss justice minister, Ruth Metzler, to wrap up the deal – the first of its kind with an African country. It would allow Switzerland to deport to Senegal rejected West African asylum seekers…

Swiss Politics

The lure of the old country

This content was published on Jan 5, 2003 Many descendants of Swiss emigrants to Argentina are applying for Swiss citizenship – but the door is only open to applicants under the age of 32. Some 14,800 Swiss citizens are currently registered at the Swiss embassy in Buenos Aires, but there are an estimated 100,000 people of Swiss descent living in the country. The…

Cluster: Swiss Abroad

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Cluster: Swiss Abroad

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Switzerland – last hope for asylum seekers

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Asylum numbers steady despite more applicants

More

Sporting talk seeks to promote peace

More

Government seeks to make peace promotion law

More

Small country view hinders Swiss ambitions abroad

More

New Radicals’ president takes centre stage

More

Asylum deals provoke storm of criticism

More

Politician adds colour to parliamentary debates

More

Swiss repatriation treaty condemned by NGOs

More

The lure of the old country

Popular Stories

Most Discussed