Swiss Abroad

Swiss weigh in on Human Rights Council debate

This content was published on Mar 5, 2010 A review of the council’s working methods is due to take place in 2011, and with the 13th regular session underway in Geneva, delegations have been giving their verdicts this week on what needs to be addressed next year. Switzerland, the initiator of the council back in 2006, took to the podium to offer its…

Swiss Politics

Immigrants to undergo integration interviews

This content was published on Mar 5, 2010 The Swiss cabinet on Thursday approved a report recommending better communication and information would improve integration of immigrants. The report, which included widespread input from cantons and communes, found a selection of foreigners living in Switzerland were not properly informed about their rights and obligations. The government will budget up to SFr20 million ($18.6 million)…

Swiss Politics

Hannibal mugshot enquiry could close Libya row

This content was published on Mar 5, 2010 Diplomats say an end to the long dispute is near. But Switzerland is accused of foot-dragging, in particular over the five-month police investigation into the leak. Geneva’s public prosecutor says the enquiry is a “priority” but complicated. “We are close to a solution concerning the crisis with Switzerland, even if the Swiss have the major…

Swiss Politics

Asylum requests from Macedonia rise steeply

This content was published on Mar 5, 2010 Federal Migration Office statistics show that 166 people from Macedonia applied for asylum this February, almost three times more than in the whole of 2009 and nine times more than in January 2010. Citizens of Serbia, Montenegro and Macedonia have been permitted to travel freely to the Schengen zone, which includes Switzerland, without restriction since…

Swiss Politics

Opt-outs sought from UN terror blacklists

This content was published on Mar 4, 2010 The House of Representatives on Thursday followed the Senate calling on the government to grant conditional opt-outs from UN sanctions. Suspects should be taken off the blacklist if they haven’t had a trial within three years or if they haven’t been given a fair hearing, according to parliament. The House approved the move despite opposition…

Swiss Politics

Hope on the horizon for young illegal immigrants

This content was published on Mar 3, 2010 Members in the House of Representatives voted in favour of a motion to allow such children who have been through the Swiss school system to take up an apprenticeship after they leave school. The votes took place during a wide-ranging debate on migration, asylum and the free movement of peoples. At present children of sans…

Swiss Politics

Libya steps up pressure on Switzerland

This content was published on Mar 3, 2010 The Libyan government spokesman, Mohamed Baayou, told the AFP news agency on Wednesday that the embargo would affect “all economic and commercial exchanges with Switzerland”. Libya had decided to “adopt other alternatives as far as medicines and medical and industrial equipment imported from Switzerland are concerned,” he said. The decision was later confirmed in a…

Swiss Politics

Calmy-Rey says Human Rights Council needs work

This content was published on Mar 2, 2010 “Too many states do not respond to requests for rapporteurs to visit,” she said. “What is even more worrying is that rapporteurs are increasingly the subject of virulent attacks when their reports are considered displeasing.” Calmy-Rey spoke at the United Nations in Geneva on Tuesday as part of a ministerial meeting of the Human Rights…

Swiss Politics

Libya sends out mixed signals

This content was published on Mar 1, 2010 The two met in an office on Monday. Göldi’s lawyer, Salah Zahaf, and a number of journalists were present for part of their meeting. “I am honoured that Captain Hannibal came to see me and I hope he can use his influence to help me in my situation,” Göldi said. The two men subsequently continued…

Swiss Politics

Banks and immigration to top parliament’s agenda

This content was published on Mar 1, 2010 Both the House of Representatives and the Senate will have to decide whether to launch a formal parliamentary investigation – a rare occurrence in Swiss politics – into the government’s handling of the crisis between the UBS bank and the United States authorities. The Senate is to begin debating a series of amended double taxation…

Swiss Abroad

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Swiss weigh in on Human Rights Council debate

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Immigrants to undergo integration interviews

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Hannibal mugshot enquiry could close Libya row

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Asylum requests from Macedonia rise steeply

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Opt-outs sought from UN terror blacklists

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Hope on the horizon for young illegal immigrants

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Libya steps up pressure on Switzerland

More

Calmy-Rey says Human Rights Council needs work

More

Libya sends out mixed signals

More

Banks and immigration to top parliament’s agenda

Popular Stories

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