Swiss Abroad

Stranger in Chiasso

This content was published on Dec 14, 2009 His moving images of refugees turn our attention to a problem becoming ever more noticeable in Switzerland. Over several months, Pulawski documented the hardships of newly-arrived asylum seekers arriving at the Italian-speaking border town of Chiasso from Italy.

Swiss to boost climate compensation funding

This content was published on Dec 13, 2009 In an interview published in Sunday’s NZZ am Sonntag newspaper, Environment Minister Moritz Leuenberger said the government could contribute up to an additional SFr150 million ($146 million) per year. “We can make promises but they are subject to the approval of parliament,” Leuenberger added. Switzerland currently spends SFr80 million in public money to finance mitigation…

Swiss Politics

HRW to mention Swiss hostages in Libya meeting

This content was published on Dec 12, 2009 “We will be able to speak with the justice minister today,” Heba Fatma Morayef, a researcher with the New York-based organisation, told the Swiss News Agency on Saturday. The group has criticised the detention of Max Göldi and Rachid Hamdani on immigration violations, which it says are a reprisal for the detention of a son…

Swiss Politics

Sustainability treaty receives new setback

This content was published on Dec 11, 2009 In a close vote, 97-94, opponents of ratification argued that the implementation of the nine protocols would limit development in the Swiss Alps, and infringe on the nation’s sovereignty. The protocols outline the concrete steps signatory states are obliged to take for the protection and sustainable development of the Alps in areas including farming, land…

Swiss Politics

Budget of government image agency clipped

This content was published on Dec 9, 2009 The Senate on Wednesday followed the House of Representatives in approving spending cuts of SFr2.5 million ($2.4 million) of Presence Switzerland intended for a publicity campaign in the United States. Other reductions include axing up to 350 jobs in the government administration and cuts in external consultancy mandates. There will be no additional subsidies for…

Swiss Politics

“Something is culturally wrong in Switzerland”

This content was published on Dec 9, 2009 Dick Marty, also a senator for the centre-right Radical Party, tells swissinfo.ch that to reawaken the ghost of a religious war is irresponsible. swissinfo.ch: December 10 is Human Rights Day. What is your personal wish regarding human rights? Dick Marty: That society in general becomes more aware of how important human rights are and that…

Swiss Politics

Parliamentarian still finds inspiration at 78

This content was published on Dec 9, 2009 No list of all his qualifications and qualities does justice to the 78-year-old Neirynck: electrical engineeer, professor, researcher, author, journalist and activist for consumer rights, who was born in Belgium, lived in Africa and obtained Swiss citizenship less than 15 years ago. Not only is he the oldest parliamentarian and a grandfatherly figure but is…

Swiss Politics

Iraqi rights minister sees more violence ahead

This content was published on Dec 8, 2009 Speaking on a visit to the Swiss capital Bern, Widjan M. Salim said terrorists were intent on seeing democracy fail in Iraq. She said the death penalty would not be abolished in the current climate of violence. At least 121 people were killed in Tuesday’s coordinated car bomb attacks, which mainly targeted government buildings. Similar…

Swiss Politics

UN rights chief tells Libya to free Swiss

This content was published on Dec 8, 2009 Navi Pillay, the UN high commissioner for human rights, said on Tuesday that the men had unfairly become victims of a political dispute between Switzerland and Libya. Max Göldi and Rashid Hamdani were taken into custody in July 2008 shortly after Geneva police arrested Hannibal Gaddafi, a son of Libyan ruler Moammar Gaddafi, and his…

Swiss Politics

Sarkozy wades into Swiss minaret ban debate

This content was published on Dec 8, 2009 The French president said he was “stupefied” by the response and wrote that instead of condemning the Swiss for the vote outcome, it was important to understand “what it intended to express and what so many people in Europe feel, including the French”. Sarkozy said he was convinced a yes or no response to such…

Swiss Abroad

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Swiss Abroad

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Stranger in Chiasso

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Swiss to boost climate compensation funding

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HRW to mention Swiss hostages in Libya meeting

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Sustainability treaty receives new setback

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Budget of government image agency clipped

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“Something is culturally wrong in Switzerland”

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Parliamentarian still finds inspiration at 78

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Iraqi rights minister sees more violence ahead

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UN rights chief tells Libya to free Swiss

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Sarkozy wades into Swiss minaret ban debate

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