Cluster: Swiss Identity

Law tightened on female genital mutilation

This content was published on Jul 1, 2012 “Thanks to the new provision in our criminal law, mutilation of female genitals can be prosecuted and punished by a Swiss judge, even in cases where the offence has taken place abroad and even when not punishable under that country’s law,” Andrea Candrian, vice head of the Federal Justice Office’s international criminal law unit, told…

Culture

Switzerland, a century ago

This content was published on Jun 30, 2012 Moeglé opened his first studio in Thun in the 1880s, followed by a second one at Hotel Gurnigelhof. He took portraits in the salons of Thun society, photographed associations, schools and weddings and accompanied tourists on mountain hikes and ski tours. A few months after his death in December 1938, during the clearout of his…

“A victory for common sense”

This content was published on Jun 29, 2012 Notably in Switzerland – which has a mandatory health insurance policy – commentators were also keen to describe the decision as a win for solidarity over neo-conservative ideals. “By dividing the risk taken by health insurers among a larger number of insured, the Democrat administration has induced a philosophical rupture in a country where individualism…

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Demographics

ICRC adapts to changing nature of conflicts

This content was published on Jun 29, 2012 Kellenberger, then a Swiss diplomat, took over the leadership of the Geneva-run ICRC in a year which had seen a spike in violence, notably in the Horn of Africa. The ICRC’s budget in 2000 stood at SFr1 billion ($1.04 billion), up some 30 per cent on 1999. The budget since then has had some small…

Demographics

“The ICRC today is a paradox”

This content was published on Jun 29, 2012 What at first appear to be contradictions, such as a Swiss private agency with a special status in public international law, actually works well, according to David Forsythe, author of two books on the ICRC. “Another paradox is that it has liberal goals, but conservative means,” Forsythe told swissinfo.ch. “That is, it is interested in…

Demographics

Switzerland signs joint statement on Bahrain

This content was published on Jun 28, 2012 The cross-regional statement, presented in Geneva on Thursday, calls for implementing the recommendations of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry – including the release of political prisoners. The 27 nations also asked Bahrain to ensure accountability for those in government who have committed abuses. “We are particularly concerned about the consequences faced by those who…

Demographics

Genetic screening of embryos to be allowed

This content was published on Jun 28, 2012 Currently banned in Switzerland, pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PDI) would be allowed only for couples with genetic disorders, who are at risk of passing a serious hereditary disease on to their child. In such cases, couples would be permitted to create eight embryos per IVF cycle instead of the current three. This would give these couples the same…

Culture

Rousseau finally becomes Swiss

This content was published on Jun 28, 2012 “Who else could have been celebrated by so many different events? It shows people are still interested,” Yvette Jaggi, former president of the Swiss Arts Council told swissinfo.ch. “The individual and his writings still speak to us today.” The official recognition of Rousseau came as a welcome surprise to some, such as Guillaume Chenevière, former…

Culture

A writer with global appeal

This content was published on Jun 28, 2012 France, Italy, England, Russia, the United States, Brazil, Benin, China, Japan… No, it’s not a football tournament draw. These are just some of the countries that are paying homage to Rousseau in this 300th anniversary year. It’s no wonder then, at Switzerland’s initiative, his works were added last year to Unesco’s Memory of the World…

On the road with Rousseau

This content was published on Jun 28, 2012 Through images past and present, the journey heads from Geneva, where Rousseau was born in 1712, to Môtiers in canton Neuchâtel and St Pierre island on Lake Biel, places he stayed between 1762 and 1765 before leaving Switzerland for good. (Isabelle Eichenberger, swissinfo.ch. Images: Rolf Amiet, swissinfo.ch / © Musée Môtiers Rousseau / Agence Martienne)

Cluster: Swiss Identity

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Cluster: Swiss Identity

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Law tightened on female genital mutilation

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Switzerland, a century ago

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“A victory for common sense”

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ICRC adapts to changing nature of conflicts

More

“The ICRC today is a paradox”

More

Switzerland signs joint statement on Bahrain

More

Genetic screening of embryos to be allowed

More

Rousseau finally becomes Swiss

More

A writer with global appeal

More

On the road with Rousseau

Popular Stories

Most Discussed