Swiss Identity

Switzerland signs joint statement on Bahrain

This content was published on Jun 28, 2012 The cross-regional statement, presented in Geneva on Thursday, calls for implementing the recommendations of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry – including the release of political prisoners. The 27 nations also asked Bahrain to ensure accountability for those in government who have committed abuses. “We are particularly concerned about the consequences faced by those who…

Demographics

Genetic screening of embryos to be allowed

This content was published on Jun 28, 2012 Currently banned in Switzerland, pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PDI) would be allowed only for couples with genetic disorders, who are at risk of passing a serious hereditary disease on to their child. In such cases, couples would be permitted to create eight embryos per IVF cycle instead of the current three. This would give these couples the same…

Culture

Rousseau finally becomes Swiss

This content was published on Jun 28, 2012 “Who else could have been celebrated by so many different events? It shows people are still interested,” Yvette Jaggi, former president of the Swiss Arts Council told swissinfo.ch. “The individual and his writings still speak to us today.” The official recognition of Rousseau came as a welcome surprise to some, such as Guillaume Chenevière, former…

Culture

A writer with global appeal

This content was published on Jun 28, 2012 France, Italy, England, Russia, the United States, Brazil, Benin, China, Japan… No, it’s not a football tournament draw. These are just some of the countries that are paying homage to Rousseau in this 300th anniversary year. It’s no wonder then, at Switzerland’s initiative, his works were added last year to Unesco’s Memory of the World…

On the road with Rousseau

This content was published on Jun 28, 2012 Through images past and present, the journey heads from Geneva, where Rousseau was born in 1712, to Môtiers in canton Neuchâtel and St Pierre island on Lake Biel, places he stayed between 1762 and 1765 before leaving Switzerland for good. (Isabelle Eichenberger, swissinfo.ch. Images: Rolf Amiet, swissinfo.ch / © Musée Môtiers Rousseau / Agence Martienne)

Apology and resignation after offending tweet

This content was published on Jun 27, 2012 The Zurich prosecutor’s office opened a criminal investigation on Tuesday after the committe member of a local branch of the rightwing People’s Party tweeted: “Maybe we need a new Kristallnacht … this time against the mosques”. Also referred to as the Night of Broken Glass, Kristallnacht is the name given to a pogrom against Jews in Germany in…

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Swiss retain visa-free travel to the US

This content was published on Jun 27, 2012 The US had posed two conditions to countries wishing to remain in the visa-waiver programme. On the one hand, it wanted an exchange of finger prints and DNA data in order to prevent and combat serious crime (PCSC); on the other, it wanted an exchange of data on known or suspected terrorists. Under the new…

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Outrage over tweet by People’s Party member

This content was published on Jun 26, 2012 Also referred to as the Night of Broken Glass, Kristallnacht is the name given to a pogrom against Jews in Germany in November 1938, during which nearly 100 people were killed and businesses and synagogues attacked while authorities looked on. In a statement on Tuesday, the prosecutor’s office said it had interviewed the author of…

Demographics

Government beefs up travel advice services

This content was published on Jun 26, 2012 A new online platform, dubbed Itineris, will enable tourists travelling abroad to register their personal data and itinerary with the foreign ministry in a move which the government hopes will make searches for missing persons easier. Also new, and in response to a spike in the number of inquiries from people worried about travelling to…

Demographics

Helping torture victims regain their dignity

This content was published on Jun 26, 2012 Patients suffer from anxiety, sleeplessness and pain. It usually takes a long time before they can talk about the cruelty they have experienced. They often feel guilt, shame and humiliation about the torture. Angelika Louis heads the outpatient clinic in Bern, set up by the Swiss Red Cross in 1995. Louis and her team of…

Swiss Identity

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Swiss Identity

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Switzerland signs joint statement on Bahrain

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Genetic screening of embryos to be allowed

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Rousseau finally becomes Swiss

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A writer with global appeal

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On the road with Rousseau

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Apology and resignation after offending tweet

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Swiss retain visa-free travel to the US

More

Outrage over tweet by People’s Party member

More

Government beefs up travel advice services

More

Helping torture victims regain their dignity

Popular Stories

Most Discussed