Swiss Abroad

Swiss drop bilateral dialogues on human rights

This content was published on May 26, 2011 The policy, considered a cornerstone of Swiss human rights policy under the direction of Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey, saw Switzerland attempt to engage countries such as Iran, China and Vietnam in structured, but isolated, discussions about human rights issues in those countries. In a statement, the foreign ministry said bilateral dialogues were “too strongly targeted…

Swiss Politics

Switzerland rated the 16th most peaceful nation

This content was published on May 26, 2011 Iceland is apparently the most peaceful nation, followed by New Zealand, Japan, Denmark and the Czech Republic. The least peaceful nations are Somalia, Iraq, Sudan, Afghanistan and North Korea. The annual Global Peace Index, published on Thursday, says levels of world peace have dropped for the third consecutive year. It attributes the drop in world…

Swiss Politics

New law mooted on freezing assets

This content was published on May 26, 2011 The foreign ministry is to draw up the formal basis for a law affecting so-called politically exposed persons (PEPs) and to define the criteria and method of its application. The request for such a law came from Social Democrat parliamentarian Susanne Leutenegger Oberholzer. In her motion she said that the law was needed “in order…

Swiss Politics

Papers ponder future of historic nuclear opt-out

This content was published on May 26, 2011 At the same time, they point out that politically the decision was inevitable, and wonder what will replace nuclear power – and what the costs will be. “The ideologically fraught question as to whether Switzerland should build another nuclear power station was settled with Fukushima,” says the Tages-Anzeiger of Zurich. “Nuclear power is not an…

Swiss Politics

Swiss to phase out nuclear power by 2034

This content was published on May 25, 2011 Energy Minister Doris Leuthard said the country’s five nuclear power stations would not be replaced when they reach the end of their lifespan. The government’s recommendation on Wednesday will now be discussed by parliament at the beginning of June and a final decision is expected in the middle of June. Leuthard said the government was going on…

Swiss Politics

Switzerland renews military exports to UAE

This content was published on May 25, 2011 In renewing a two-year-old authorisation to export the aircraft, the cabinet reviewed the situation in North Africa and the Gulf region and concluded the UAE was one of the most politically and economically stable countries in the region. The government first approved the country’s order for 25 PC-21 planes in May 2009, to replace the…

Swiss Politics

Swiss companies are still funding cluster bombs

This content was published on May 25, 2011 According to a report published on Wednesday, 16 companies – big banks Credit Suisse and UBS in particular – are among 166 financial institutions worldwide that are funding cluster bomb and parts manufacturing, despite the international Convention on Cluster Munitions coming into force in 2010. Globally financial institutions from 15 countries are channeling more than…

Swiss Politics

Expert doubts Syrian leader has Swiss stash

This content was published on May 25, 2011 Switzerland announced on Tuesday it was extending sanctions against Syria to include travel bans and asset freezes against Assad and nine senior officials, in a move that follows the European Union and the United States. Syria is Switzerland’s fifth major case of frozen assets this year. So far it has frozen SFr60 million ($69 million)…

Swiss Politics

Illegal drugs to be given on prescription

This content was published on May 25, 2011 While the sale of cannabis will remain illegal, it will be possible to register for cannabis-based medicine or other banned substances such as heroin. Cannabis will be classified as a narcotic if it contains more than one per cent of the chemical substance tetrahydrocannabinol. The legal basis for prescribing heroin has already been enforced since…

Swiss Politics

Switzerland expands Syria sanctions

This content was published on May 24, 2011 The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (Seco) said on Tuesday evening that it would add Assad and nine other senior members of the Syrian government to a list of those banned from travelling to Switzerland and subject to asset freezes. The measures will take effect from May 25, Seco was quoted as saying on news…

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Swiss Abroad

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Swiss drop bilateral dialogues on human rights

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Switzerland rated the 16th most peaceful nation

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New law mooted on freezing assets

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Papers ponder future of historic nuclear opt-out

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Swiss to phase out nuclear power by 2034

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Switzerland renews military exports to UAE

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Swiss companies are still funding cluster bombs

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Expert doubts Syrian leader has Swiss stash

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Illegal drugs to be given on prescription

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Switzerland expands Syria sanctions

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