Cluster: Swiss Abroad

Swiss prepare ground for weapons inspectors

This content was published on Nov 18, 2002 They will prepare the ground for weapons inspectors to follow at a later date. The Swiss specialists, who are members of the army’s fortification guards, will be responsible for ensuring that the Baghdad headquarters of the weapons inspectors is habitable. The group is being sent as an advance party to establish what needs to be…

Swiss Politics

Gap narrows on asylum vote

This content was published on Nov 14, 2002 Some 43 per cent said they would vote “yes” to the rightwing proposal with 37 per cent against, but the gap has narrowed considerably in recent weeks. The Swiss are to vote on Sunday on an initiative by the Swiss People’s Party, which would limit asylum applications and cut benefits to those whose requests have…

Blacks bear the brunt of racism in Switzerland

This content was published on Nov 13, 2002 More and more blacks say they are suffering from racism on the streets, in the workplace or in the housing market. In the run-up to this month’s national vote on restricting the rights of asylum seekers, anti-racism groups are warning that blacks in particular are being depicted en masse as drug dealers or trouble-makers without…

Swiss Politics

Swiss show faith in government but distrust media

This content was published on Nov 8, 2002 The findings, released by the World Economic Forum (WEF), form part of a worldwide survey of some 36,000 people in 47 countries. The poll, entitled “Voice of the People”, asked citizens to rate their level of trust in 17 different institutions. More than two-thirds of Swiss respondents expressed reservations about the national media. And while…

Swiss Politics

Swiss keep a watchful eye on Florida ballot

This content was published on Nov 3, 2002 Led by the Swiss Gérard Stroudmann, the group also includes Swiss parliamentarian Andreas Gross. “I have participated in at least 20 identical missions, but I think I might be the only person who has observed [elections] in both Russia and the United States,” Gross told swissinfo. As one the observers of the Office for Democratic…

Swiss Politics

Swiss UN ambassador urges unity on human rights

This content was published on Nov 1, 2002 Jenö Staehelin told the UN General Assembly that dialogue was preferable to confrontation. Speaking on Thursday in New York during a debate on the organisation’s reform, Staehelin said the UN’s reporting system on human rights must be reviewed. “The system must be simplified and made more transparent for member states, UN commissions and the public,”…

Swiss Politics

Swiss forge closer ties with Iran

This content was published on Oct 28, 2002 In an interview with swissinfo, he said the two countries were gradually forging closer ties, which was paving the way for dialogue over difficult issues. Deiss told swissinfo he had pressed his Iranian hosts to ratify international conventions against torture. He said he received no conclusive answer but the fact that Iran was willing to…

Swiss Politics

EU gets tough on asylum seekers

This content was published on Oct 28, 2002 In response to popular fears of mass immigration, they have chosen to toughen asylum laws. Until the Amsterdam Treaty entered into force in 1999, it was up to member states to form and enforce their own asylum laws. At the Tampere summit in October of the same year, the 15 countries agreed that a common…

Swiss Politics

Swiss asylum policy faces tough times

This content was published on Oct 27, 2002 Parts of the population are concerned Switzerland is being flooded by asylum seekers, while academics fear xenophobia is rearing its ugly head. According to a recent poll by the GfS institute, 57 per cent of the electorate said they would vote in favour of a people’s initiative launched by the Swiss People’s Party against abuses…

Swiss Politics

Swiss doctors to treat Russian hostages

This content was published on Oct 25, 2002 The Swiss foreign ministry said Russia had requested the doctors and that two – including a psychiatrist – would leave for Moscow on Friday. Foreign ministry spokesman, Manuel Sager, told swissinfo that the Russian authorities as well as other foreign diplomats had specifically asked Switzerland to send personnel. The doctors will join several Swiss already…

Cluster: Swiss Abroad

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