Swiss Abroad

Cabinet approves disarmament report

This content was published on Sep 10, 2008 The report approved on Wednesday highlights the government’s diplomatic activities since 2004 to reduce the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and to promote “human security”. A key objective is to “ensure national and international security at the lowest possible level of armaments” . The report also mentions Switzerland’s operational activities such as its support…

Swiss Politics

Swiss envoy warns of anti-American sentiment

This content was published on Sep 9, 2008 He told swissinfo after a Swiss-American Chamber of Commerce meeting in Lugano that there was a trend to simplify the realities of the United States. Ziswiler said he did not expect any great changes for Switzerland after the US presidential election, adding that despite a few minor problems with Washington, Switzerland enjoyed an “excellent” reputation…

Swiss Politics

Bern condemns executions of youths in Iran

This content was published on Sep 9, 2008 At a meeting on human rights, Bern also condemned corporal punishment, violations of the expression of opinion and the repression of Kurds and members of the Baha’i faith. The criticism was made during talks in the Swiss capital between the foreign ministry and an Iranian delegation led by the deputy foreign minister, Sayed Mohammed-Ali Hosseini.…

Swiss Politics

Speaking the language of elderly migrants

This content was published on Sep 8, 2008 The “National Forum Ageing and Migration” said older migrants suffer from more health problems than the average Swiss pensioner, are often socially disadvantaged and live below the poverty line. Foreigners account for one in five of Switzerland’s population, but according to the Federal Statistics Office, the country’s migrant workforce covers 25 per cent of the…

Swiss Politics

Switzerland raises its human rights presence

This content was published on Sep 8, 2008 For the first time the Swiss delegation is being headed by a specially appointed representative rather than the head of the Swiss mission to the UN in Geneva, as has been the case up to now. Also new is the UN high commissioner for human rights, the South African Navanethem Pillay, who replaced Louise Arbour…

Swiss Politics

New English version of constitution published

This content was published on Sep 8, 2008 It was made available to meet a growing demand for details of legislation to be accessible in English, the Federal Chancellery said on Monday. The translation was submitted to external experts and the justice ministry for review before publication and is part of an ongoing project to make selected Swiss legislation available to the public…

Swiss Politics

Woman diplomat to head Swiss embassy in Iran

This content was published on Sep 7, 2008 The appointment of Livia Leu Agosti comes amid controversy over a visit to Tehran by Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey earlier this year. The designated ambassador says she considers her appointment as a sign that women can play an important role in a world dominated by men. Leu said she would wear a headscarf for her…

Swiss Politics

Switzerland “could become a feudal state”

This content was published on Sep 7, 2008 Kissling tells swissinfo that the gap between the rich and everyone else is growing and that this could threaten traditional Swiss democracy and the economy. He makes a call for an inheritance tax for the wealthy. Statistics show that the 300 richest people have become 40 per cent wealthier in the past eight years, whereas…

Swiss Politics

Stunning show opens Paralympics in Beijing

This content was published on Sep 6, 2008 More than 4,000 disabled athletes from 148 countries, including Switzerland, will be competing for medals over the next ten days. The Games come just two weeks after the Summer Olympics ended. Chinese President Hu Jintao declared the Games open, as the Olympic flame was lit ending a three-hour ceremony in the Chinese capital, Beijing, on…

Swiss Politics

Asylum seekers put pressure on cantons

This content was published on Sep 5, 2008 Half the current influx comes from sub-Saharan Africa, Eduard Gnesa, head of the Federal Migration Office told Swiss radio on Friday, with the greatest numbers coming from Eritrea, Somalia and Nigeria. Others have fled Iraq. The reason for the influx is the worsening situation in the asylum seekers’ home countries, he said. In August the…

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