Cluster: Swiss Identity

Federal Court to rule on Jewish compensation claim

This content was published on Jan 20, 2000 The Swiss federal court is today expected to rule on a compensation claim against the Swiss government by a Jewish refugee who was refused entry into the country during the Second World War. Joseph Spring, now in his seventies and living in Australia, is suing the government for SFr100,000 as compensation for having been handed…

Demographics

Dreifuss says modern “slavery” of women is threatening society

This content was published on Jan 20, 2000 The Swiss interior minister, Ruth Dreifuss, has warned a United Nations conference that more than 300,000 women are victims of slavery every year in Europe. She said the growth of the “trade” in women will undermine society unless urgent action is taken. “The trade of human beings is one of the most flagrant and widespread…

Demographics

Liechtenstein freezes bank accounts in Leuna case

This content was published on Jan 20, 2000 The principality of Liechtenstein has frozen bank accounts in connection with a Swiss investigation into alleged bribery in the privatisation of a German oil refinery. The move follows a request by the justice authorities in Geneva. The Liechtenstein government says it has blocked several bank accounts and confiscated documents in connection with an inquiry into…

Culture

Locarno takes centre stage at Solothurn film festival

This content was published on Jan 20, 2000 Switzerland’s best-known film festival briefly took centre-stage at Solothurn when the organisers of the Locarno film festival, including Guiseppe Buffi, announced plans for a radical overhaul. Switzerland’s biggest film festival has announced ambitious plans to raise its profile in Switzerland and Europe. The festival’s president and director, Giuseppe Buffi and Marco Müller, outlined their plans…

Demographics

Geneva prosecutor plays down Russian businessman’s demands

This content was published on Jan 20, 2000 Geneva’s cantonal prosecutor, Bernard Bertossa, has indicated that the Russian businessman Sergei Mikhailov should scale down his demand for SFr800,000 in damages from the canton following an unsuccessful prosecution. Speaking at the Swiss Press Club in Geneva, Bertossa said the claim from Mikhailov’s lawyer was much too high. “Of course everyone acquitted by a court…

Culture

Canton Berne approves funds for Klee museum

This content was published on Jan 20, 2000 The Berne cantonal government has granted an initial subsidy of Sfr740,000 towards financing the first stage of the building of a new Paul Klee museum on the outskirts of the capital. Both the canton and the city authorities are financing the development of the area around the museum, including road access and parking. A foundation…

Demographics

Pro-life group forces vote against easing abortion

This content was published on Jan 20, 2000 The Swiss people are to be called on to vote on restricting abortion. The federal authorities said pro-life groups had gathered 105,001 valid signatures for their initiative, which calls for abortion to be banned except where the life of the expectant mother is in danger. One hundred thousand are necessary to force a nationwide vote.…

Demographics

Expo.02 to reveal whether government financing conditions have been met

This content was published on Jan 20, 2000 The government is to receive a key report today which will help determine whether the planned national exhibition, Expo.02, goes ahead. The government is to deliver its verdict by mid-February. The cabinet will be deciding whether the organisers of the troubled exhibition have made sufficient savings for the government to go ahead with a first…

Demographics

Swiss embassy recommends holidaymakers leave Indonesian island

This content was published on Jan 18, 2000 The Swiss embassy in Indonesia recommends all nationals should leave or avoid the island of Lombok, while riot police are trying to control sectarian violence. More than 20 tourists staying with Hotelplan and Vögele had been evacuated on Tuesday to Bali. The embassy is also in contact with 22 Swiss nationals resident on Lombok, who…

History

Committee calls for less discrimination for Moslems

This content was published on Jan 18, 2000 Islam is now Switzerland’s second religion after Christianity. The Moslem community numbers 200,000. But Islam is not an officially recognised religion here, and the Swiss Federal Commission on Racism says more has to be done to make Moslems feel at home. Vice-President of the Commission, Boel Sambuc, says people in Switzerland still tend to think…

Cluster: Swiss Identity

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