Swiss Identity

US human rights report attacks Switzerland

This content was published on Mar 11, 2010 The US State Department’s annual report on Human Rights released in Washington on Thursday cites in its introduction last November’s popular vote in Switzerland to ban the building of minarets. It describes growing European discrimination against Muslims as “ an increasing concern”. Elsewhere the report mentions bans and restrictions on Muslim head scarves and burkas…

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Libya argues “ball is in Swiss court”

This content was published on Mar 11, 2010 Ibrahim Aldredi said Libya was requesting the creation of an arbitration commission, a trial of those who arrested Hannibal Gaddafi in July 2008, an enquiry into the leak of his police mugshots and an end to visa restrictions against 188 Libyans. “The ball is in the Swiss court,” the ambassador said. In reply, Swiss foreign…

History

“Muslims are now ‘us’ not ‘them’”

This content was published on Mar 11, 2010 H.A. Hellyer, who this week spoke at a discussion held by the Swiss Forum for Migration and Population Studies at Neuchâtel University, tells swissinfo.ch he is more concerned by the “festering discontent” that led to the ban than the ban itself. His comments come as Switzerland tries to untangle a 20-month diplomatic stand-off with Libya,…

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Lucky winner cracks record lottery jackpot

This content was published on Mar 11, 2010 The unidentified person chose six correct numbers as well as an extra “plus” number in an entry costing a stake of SFr15, with the odds of winning one in 24 million. The previous record was SFr19.1 million, won by someone in canton Geneva. Lottery organisers Swiss Lotto said entries for Wednesday night’s draw had tripled…

History

Switzerland calls for halt to Israeli settlements

This content was published on Mar 11, 2010 A statement said Switzerland had asked Israel not to proceed with the project and to halt all forms of “colonisation” in the territory. It added that Switzerland considers the building of such settlements a violation of international humanitarian law, which forbids an occupying power from transferring any part of its civilian population to an occupied…

History

UN resolution on minaret ban contested

This content was published on Mar 11, 2010 A draft resolution proposed by Muslim and African states for consideration at the Geneva-based council condemns such bans, claiming they are contrary to international human rights obligations relating to freedoms of religion and expression. “In principle Switzerland disagrees with the concept of a resolution devoted to the defamation of religion, which is regularly presented as…

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Swiss appeals against his sentence in Libya

This content was published on Mar 11, 2010 Max Göldi’s lawyer Salah Zahaf confirmed the move on Wednesday. Göldi already submitted a request to Libyan authorities for a pardon. According to Zahaf, Libya can take a decision to pardon Göldi at any time, whereas an appeal hearing could drag on for weeks or even months. Göldi started a four-month sentence on February 22…

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Victim testifies in Munich trial of Swiss youth

This content was published on Mar 10, 2010 The three youth are charged with attempted murder and grievous bodily harm. The 46-year-old had his face “completely shattered”, and is undergoing a series of operations to reconstruct it. His eyesight and hearing have also been severely weakened by the attack. Witnesses have told investigators that two of the accused delivered heavy kicks to the…

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Janka skis to downhill win and overall lead

This content was published on Mar 10, 2010 Janka, who won gold in the giant slalom at the Olympics last month, edged Mario Scheiber of Austria by two-hundredths of a second on Wednesday in Garmisch, Germany. Patrick Küng, also from Switzerland, tied for third place with Canada’s Erik Guay, 0.07 seconds behind. In women’s downhill action, Maria Riesch of Germany won on her…

Culture

The organ that went back to the future

This content was published on Mar 10, 2010 The organ in Zurich’s Grossmünster cathedral is young in organ terms, but in its day it changed the way the wind blew. Literally.

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US human rights report attacks Switzerland

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Libya argues “ball is in Swiss court”

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“Muslims are now ‘us’ not ‘them’”

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Lucky winner cracks record lottery jackpot

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Switzerland calls for halt to Israeli settlements

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UN resolution on minaret ban contested

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Swiss appeals against his sentence in Libya

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Victim testifies in Munich trial of Swiss youth

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Janka skis to downhill win and overall lead

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The organ that went back to the future

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