Swiss Abroad

Europe and UN “concerned” over deportation vote

This content was published on Nov 29, 2010 A spokesperson for the European Commission said Brussels would carefully study how the Swiss government would translate the vote result into legislation and expressed hope that Bern would continue to respect its international obligations. Commission President José Manuel Barroso, speaking on French radio station Europe 1 on Monday, said he was concerned about the rise…

Swiss Politics

Minaret debate flares up

This content was published on Nov 29, 2010 An anti-minaret movement led by Ulrich Schlüer of the rightwing Swiss People’s Party presented a manifesto on Monday against the Islamisation of Switzerland. The document underlines Switzerland’s Christian foundations and aims to prevent the creation of a parallel society inspired by Islamic sharia law. Schlüer said the group had waited a year in vain for…

Switzerland pleas for renewed demining efforts

This content was published on Nov 29, 2010 Calmy-Rey was speaking in Geneva at the opening of a conference reviewing the Ottawa Convention on the prohibition of the use, production and transfer of anti-personnel mines and on their destruction. She said that although progress had been made, there was still much to do. “Every victim of anti-personnel mines is a victim too many……

Swiss Politics

Foreigners alarmed by Swiss expulsion vote

This content was published on Nov 29, 2010 On Sunday some 53 per cent of voters backed a rightwing initiative for the automatic expulsion of non-Swiss offenders convicted of crimes ranging from murder to breaking and entry and social security fraud. By accepting the initiative the Swiss people have sent a clear signal that foreigners are basically undesirable and suspicious, the Second@s Plus…

Swiss Politics

Money matters to mark parliament winter session

This content was published on Nov 29, 2010 The government foresees a deficit of SFr594 million ($597 million) next year with revenue of about SFr61.9 billion. However, there are plans to cut spending notably for development aid. Other highlights of the session include the election of the Swiss president and the speakers of both parliamentary chambers for the next 12 months. Foreign Minister…

Swiss Politics

Emission cuts are “crucial” to success in Cancun

This content was published on Nov 29, 2010 The conference’s success or failure depends on whether non-Kyoto Protocol countries show a willingness to submit to binding targets to cut emissions, says Swiss delegation head Franz Perrez. The summit starting in the Mexican resort on Monday will focus on developing a package of measures on finance, deforestation, clean energy technologies and adaptation. This will…

Swiss Politics

More than 250 Wikileaks cables came from Bern

This content was published on Nov 29, 2010 An additional 432 came from the US mission in Geneva. It was unknown what was contained in the cables – date, sender and key words were all that was published. The most popular key words were “external political relations”, “military nuclear use” “terrorist and terrorism” and “human rights”. Most of the cables emanating from Bern…

Swiss Politics

Swiss Abroad voted against deportation initiative

This content was published on Nov 29, 2010 However, they were in favour of a counter-proposal supported by the Swiss parliament. The Swiss on Sunday voted in an opposite manner. Almost 53 per cent were in favour of the initiative, whereas 54.2 per cent rejected the counter-proposal. Figures show the biggest disparity was in canton Appenzell Inner Rhodes. Only 39.3 per cent of…

Swiss Politics

Media diagnose Swiss identity crisis

This content was published on Nov 29, 2010 The 52.9 per cent of voters who backed a proposal from the rightwing Swiss People’s Party had given in to a “fatal yearning for paradise”, according to the Tages-Anzeiger. The Zurich-based paper added it was an illusion to think that simple solutions could bring back a former idyll that many people believe to have disappeared.…

Swiss Politics

Right presses for tough line on foreign crime

This content was published on Nov 28, 2010 The government, which had supported a compromise counter-proposal, pledged to begin work immediately to implement the decision, despite a number of legal difficulties. Experts have warned that the hardline initiative will clash with human rights and treaties with the European Union if parliament fails to draft specific legislation in line with international law. The People’s…

Swiss Abroad

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