Cluster: Swiss Identity

Council of Europe highlights racism in Switzerland

This content was published on Mar 21, 2000 The Council of Europe says intolerance and xenophobia are common in Switzerland. A Council report published to mark International Day Against Racism, criticised Swiss naturalisation policy, which makes it tough to obtain the coveted red passport. “Although violent expressions of racism and intolerance remain sporadic in Switzerland, and a rise in antisemitism appears to have…

Demographics

Swiss balloonist Piccard gives hope to Noma children

This content was published on Mar 21, 2000 The Swiss balloonist, Bertrand Piccard, and his partner in their round-the-world flight, Brian Jones, have donated SFr 166,000 to fight the deadly Noma disease which primarily afflicts children. Their Swiss foundation, “Winds of Hope” made its first donation to the World Health Organisation (WHO) to help African children facing the disfiguring and lethal disease. The…

Demographics

China under fire at UN human rights meeting

This content was published on Mar 20, 2000 The annual session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights has opened in Geneva, with China expected to top the agenda. Several hundred members of the Falun Gong movement, which China banned last July, staged a silent protest in the city to mark the opening (picture). About 350 Falun Gong followers performed medidative exercises…

Demographics

Government wants to streamline naturalisation

This content was published on Mar 20, 2000 The Swiss government wants to ensure that the country’s naturalisation rules for foreigners do not lead to discrimination. The justice minister, Ruth Metzler (pictured), said measures were needed to avoid arbitrary decisions based on racial prejudice. Metzler’s comments come in response to a controversial case in the town of Emmen, in canton Lucerne. A total…

Culture

Zurich gets taste of Korean art

This content was published on Mar 20, 2000 Zurich’s Rietberg Museum will be full of eastern promise this year, with an exhibition on Korean art. It is not only one of the most significant Korean art shows ever sent abroad, but also the first major presentation of Korean art in Switzerland. The exhibition brings together almost 200 outstanding Korean art works of which…

Culture

Video art pioneer exhibits in Lausanne

This content was published on Mar 20, 2000 A series of videos of naked young women is capturing attention at the Fine Arts Museum in Lausanne. The show, entitled “Pudeurs”, or modesty, is the latest work of one of the pioneers of video art in Switzerland, Jean Otth. Since the end of the 1960s, Otth has kept up to date with technical innovations…

Demographics

China under fire at UN human rights meeting

This content was published on Mar 20, 2000 The annual session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, which opened in Geneva on Monday, is expected to be exceptionally controversial, as the United States is expected to introduce a resolution criticising China. The Swiss foreign minister, Joseph Deiss, will address the commission on Tuesday. Deiss will be one of many ministers to…

Culture

South Korea and Latin America honoured at Fribourg Film Festival

This content was published on Mar 19, 2000 The 14th International Fribourg Film Festival has wrapped up this weekend, with the top prize going to an entry from South Korea. The prize, worth SFr25,000, was given to Jeon Soo-il for his film “The Bird Which Stops in the Air,”which examines the relation between cinema and real-life. The other big winner of the festival…

Demographics

Teacher killer trial resumes

This content was published on Mar 19, 2000 A Yugoslav man who admitted killing his daughter’s teacher in Sankt Gallen more than a year ago, is finally facing justice in a Serbian court. Although the trial of Ded Gecaj is already underway, it was first reported in the Swiss press on Sunday. According to the SonntagsZeitung, Gecaj is standing trial accused of murdering…

Former secret service chief to get SFr1 million golden handshake

This content was published on Mar 18, 2000 The early retirement of the former head of the scandal-ridden secret service will reportedly cost the taxpayer nearly SFr1 million. According to the Basler Zeitung newspaper, the total cost is around SFr926,000. However, the figure has not been confirmed. The newspaper says the federal defence ministry will ask the cabinet to approve the sum on…

Cluster: Swiss Identity

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Cluster: Swiss Identity

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Council of Europe highlights racism in Switzerland

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Swiss balloonist Piccard gives hope to Noma children

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China under fire at UN human rights meeting

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Government wants to streamline naturalisation

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Zurich gets taste of Korean art

More

Video art pioneer exhibits in Lausanne

More

China under fire at UN human rights meeting

More

South Korea and Latin America honoured at Fribourg Film Festival

More

Teacher killer trial resumes

More

Former secret service chief to get SFr1 million golden handshake

Popular Stories

Most Discussed