Swiss Abroad

US changes policy on Human Rights Council

This content was published on Mar 5, 2009 Mark Storella of the US mission to the United Nations in Geneva, told the Geneva-based council on Wednesday that his country “looked forward to participating in the council’s deliberations” where it will be an active observer. The US had always been critical of the council, which was established in 2006. The country has never sought…

Swiss Politics

Minaret ban wins little support in parliament

This content was published on Mar 4, 2009 A majority also rejected calls by the centre-left to declare the people’s initiative invalid. The other parliamentary chamber, the Senate, still has to discuss the issue. The initiative, launched by members of the rightwing Swiss People’s Party and a small ultra-conservative Christian party, was handed in with 113,540 valid votes last year. It will be…

Swiss Politics

Switzerland tops tourism competitiveness index

This content was published on Mar 4, 2009 Austria, Germany, France and Canada followed, but the Geneva-based WEF said current economic troubles had not yet made their way into the rankings. Thea Chiesa, a WEF economist, said the situation would be different next year. “We will see the current stimulus plans, being implemented by different nations, start to bear fruit,” Chiesa said. Infrastructure…

Swiss Politics

Pacifists launch appeal to Jews worldwide

This content was published on Mar 3, 2009 Beginning with 23 signatures from Jews in Switzerland, Germany, Austria and Israel, the organisers of the petition hope to reach as many of the world’s 13 million Jews as possible. Since Israel’s recent offensive in Gaza, which resulted in the deaths of more than 1,200 Palestinians and 13 Israelis, Swiss activist Jochi Weil-Goldstein has felt…

Swiss Politics

Second World War refugee helpers pardoned

This content was published on Mar 3, 2009 The sentences against the six women and nine men had been lifted, announced the parliamentary rehabilitation committee on Tuesday. Pierre Amiel and Claude Schropff, two Frenchmen who worked for the Cimade refugee organisation, received the harshest punishments. They were arrested in June 1944 and spent two months in prison for helping a woman, who had…

Swiss Politics

No guaranteed seat for expats in parliament

This content was published on Mar 3, 2009 The Senate on Monday rejected a proposal calling for a draft law setting the legal basis for seats for expatriates in both parliamentary chambers. Opponents argued that there was no justification for setting up a special constituency for citizens spread across the globe. The proposal won a majority in the House of Representatives last September.…

Swiss Politics

Common ground elusive ahead of racism summit

This content was published on Mar 3, 2009 The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay on Monday rejected fears that the summit would be hijacked by critics of Israel and urged countries to make the meeting a success by focusing on global issues. Planning sessions for the Durban Review Conference, or Durban II, will take place in Geneva from April 20…

Swiss Politics

WHO calls for more measles vaccinations

This content was published on Mar 2, 2009 WHO said greater vaccinations were needed as epidemics were rising and crossing national borders. The number of cases had fallen in Europe in 2007 but rose again in the following year. There have been more than 8,000 cases reported in Europe in the last 12 months. The call comes as the Federal Health Office announced…

Swiss Politics

Jewish activists criticise Israeli occupation

This content was published on Mar 2, 2009 Jochi Weil-Goldstein, a Zurich doctor, told the media on Monday that he had a list of signatures of Jews in Switzerland, Germany, Austria and Israel calling for better living conditions and security for both Jews and Palestinians. The group, Worldwide Appeal by Concerned Jewish Men and Women, said it was motivated “out of a sense…

Swiss Politics

Campaign demands equal pay

This content was published on Mar 2, 2009 As part of a five-year project the government, employers’ organisations and trade unions on Monday urged companies to review their salary system on a voluntary basis. Interior Minister Pascal Couchepin described the launch as a historic step in efforts to implement the principle of equal pay. Trade union representatives said the campaign was a new…

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Swiss Abroad

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US changes policy on Human Rights Council

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Minaret ban wins little support in parliament

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Switzerland tops tourism competitiveness index

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Pacifists launch appeal to Jews worldwide

More

Second World War refugee helpers pardoned

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No guaranteed seat for expats in parliament

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Common ground elusive ahead of racism summit

More

WHO calls for more measles vaccinations

More

Jewish activists criticise Israeli occupation

More

Campaign demands equal pay

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