Swiss Abroad

External pressure “cannot solve” Syrian crisis

This content was published on Aug 19, 2011 Mohammad Reza-Djalili, a political scientist who specialises in the Middle East, says the five-month crisis has entered a crucial new phase, but much still depends on the relationship between President Bashar al-Assad and the Syrian security forces. Assad told United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon this week that military and police operations, which have intensified since…

Swiss Politics

Swiss recall ambassador to Syria

This content was published on Aug 18, 2011 “The actions of the Syrian security forces are not acceptable. For this reason, the foreign ministry has recalled the Swiss ambassador in Damascus to Bern for consultations,” the ministry said in a statement on Thursday. It added that it had “repeatedly and publicly” called on the Syrian authorities to respect fundamental freedoms, in particular the…

Swiss Politics

Economy gets two billion franc support

This content was published on Aug 17, 2011 “The government has taken a bold and impressive step,” Economics Minister Johann Schneider-Ammann told journalists on Wednesday after announcing the measures. The main beneficiaries will be the export economy and tourism, he said. In a press release the government said that it was aware that the sum involved is very high. It said the purpose…

Swiss Politics

Twelve Syrians added to asset freeze list

This content was published on Aug 17, 2011 The move comes in response to continued government violence against civilians in Syria, and follows tougher sanctions introduced by the European Union. Announcing the sanctions in a statement on Wednesday, the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (Seco) said four companies, believed to be sources of finance for the Syrian government, had also been added to…

Swiss Politics

Switzerland debates Palestine question

This content was published on Aug 17, 2011 Disagreement is rife among politicians, experts and diplomats in Switzerland about how far the country should go on the issue. “We have been fruitlessly sitting at the negotiating table for 20 years,” Ibrahim Khraishi, the Palestinian ambassador to the UN, told swissinfo.ch. “Now is the moment to act and to go directly to the UN…

Swiss Politics

Truth needs allies

This content was published on Aug 17, 2011 Swiss photographer Luca Zanetti accompanied a team of forensic anthropologists researching the remains of thousands of victims of the civil strife in the country that lasted more than half a century. Using information gathered after the demobilisation of the paramilitaries, more than 350 bodies were recovered between 2008 and 2010. They were found at different…

Parliamentary lobbyists to face closer scrutiny

This content was published on Aug 16, 2011 But two months ahead of parliamentary elections in October, questions are being raised about the independence of Switzerland’s politicians, and in particular the amount of power lobbyists and interest groups have on the way they cast their votes. Essentially part-timers, Swiss parliamentarians are being called to vote on increasingly complicated issues that are often well…

Swiss Politics

Beating the blackout

This content was published on Aug 16, 2011 Since the start of the Syrian uprising against the regime of President Bashar al-Assad in March, the movement has spread to every corner of the country. Faced with a media blackout, Syrian activists have used their mobile phones and social networking sites to publish daily news, photos and videos of the bloody crackdown by army…

Swiss airport transit fines are “embarrassing”

This content was published on Aug 16, 2011 According to the Tages-Anzeiger newspaper, in 2009-2010 over 6,700 people received fines of SFr200-650 ($255-830) for legally spending over three months in another Schengen zone country but making the mistake of travelling back home via Switzerland. Under Swiss law, the limit for staying in the region without a visa is three months. Several Schengen countries –…

Swiss Politics

Should Swiss abroad be guaranteed seats in parliament?

This content was published on Aug 16, 2011

Swiss Abroad

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Swiss Abroad

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External pressure “cannot solve” Syrian crisis

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Swiss recall ambassador to Syria

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Economy gets two billion franc support

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Twelve Syrians added to asset freeze list

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Switzerland debates Palestine question

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Truth needs allies

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Parliamentary lobbyists to face closer scrutiny

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Beating the blackout

More

Swiss airport transit fines are “embarrassing”

More

Should Swiss abroad be guaranteed seats in parliament?

Popular Stories

Most Discussed