Cluster: Swiss Abroad

Senate backs plan to arm Swiss soldiers

This content was published on Jun 21, 2000 Swiss contingents are currently deployed in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo to provide support in logistics and infrastructure projects. For the time being, Swiss soldiers can only carry side-arms, but the Senate’s decision would allow them to be equipped with heavier weapons. The vote was in line with government proposals, already approved by the House of Representatives.…

Swiss Politics

Former civil servants take up cudgels for foreigners

This content was published on Jun 20, 2000 The groups used to be represented on the Federal Commission on Foreigners but resigned in January in protest at the government’s decision to incorporate it into the police office for foreigners. They say they intend to set up an umbrella group as an alternative to the old foreigners commission. Claudio Micheloni, who represents the influential…

Swiss Politics

Government under fire as Switzerland marks refugee day

This content was published on Jun 17, 2000 Swiss refugee day, which takes place today, is an annual event organised by the refugee aid society. Markus Loosli used the occasion to draw attention to the situation of refugees and asylum seekers in Switzerland. Addressing the society’s annual general meeting, Loosli urged the authorities to do more to help integrate people who have sought…

Swiss Politics

Asylum seekers lose bid to stop forced repatriation

This content was published on Jun 16, 2000 About 60 ethnic Kurds from Iraq handed the refugee office a petition at the end of a one-week protest march from Zurich to the capital, Berne. They said conditions were still too dangerous for them to be repatriated to northern Iraq. But the refugee office dismissed the claim, saying reports from various international organisations had…

Swiss Politics

Parliament grants guarantee for national Expo

This content was published on Jun 16, 2000 The Swiss economics minister, Pascal Couchepin, cited Shakespeare when he said there was no intermediate solution between going forward or abandoning the project. “Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more,” he said. Most members of the House followed his advice by accepting the deficit guarantee by 115 votes to 34. However, a majority…

Swiss Politics

Senate debates EU policy

This content was published on Jun 15, 2000 Despite its rejection in parliament, the Yes to Europe initiative must still be put to a nationwide referendum by 2003. The senate also rejected a government counter-proposal, which was narrowly approved by the house, to allow the cabinet to decide on the timing of eventual negotiations with Brussels. The initiative was defeated by 33 votes…

Metzler declares Kosovo refugee repatriation “great success”

This content was published on Jun 14, 2000 Addressing parliament, Metzler said a total of 32,795 people had signed up to return to Kosovo voluntarily. Another 10,500 are obliged to return as part of the controversial forced repatriation scheme which began this month. The refugees were granted temporay asylum in Switzerland after fleeing Kosovo during last year’s conflict between Nato and Yugoslavia. Metzler…

Swiss Politics

Switzerland raises concerns about Zimbabwe

This content was published on Jun 14, 2000 The Swiss chargé d’affaires, Alexander Wittwer, was accompanied at Tuesday’s meeting in Harare by representatives from Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United States and Japan. In a joint statement, the envoys said they were concerned about the attacks on farmers, teachers and health care workers, as well as officials in rural areas and political candidates.…

Swiss Politics

Political row over English language heats up

This content was published on Jun 13, 2000 The House supported a motion by the Bernese politician, Otto Zwygart, which called for the government to examine ways in which the national languages can be given priority. The vote in favour of the motion was contrary to the recommendations of the cabinet. The interior minister, Ruth Dreifuss, assured the House that it had her…

Swiss Politics

Swiss promote democratic control of militaries

This content was published on Jun 13, 2000 Swiss officials said the Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces would primarily assist countries in eastern Europe and the Balkans, where armies or militias could pose a security threat to Europe. In a statement, the foreign and defence ministries said the new centre would develop norms and standards for evaluating the democratisation process…

Cluster: Swiss Abroad

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Cluster: Swiss Abroad

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Senate backs plan to arm Swiss soldiers

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Former civil servants take up cudgels for foreigners

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Government under fire as Switzerland marks refugee day

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Asylum seekers lose bid to stop forced repatriation

More

Parliament grants guarantee for national Expo

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Senate debates EU policy

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Metzler declares Kosovo refugee repatriation “great success”

More

Switzerland raises concerns about Zimbabwe

More

Political row over English language heats up

More

Swiss promote democratic control of militaries

Popular Stories

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