Swiss Identity

Transport ministry mulls legal action over flight ban

This content was published on Apr 20, 2003 He hopes to take the complaint to the European Commission. The restrictions follow the Swiss government’s refusal last month to ratify an aviation deal with Germany. Germany retaliated by limiting flights over southern Germany, the main route into the airport. The restrictions, which came into force on April 17, ban flights over the area between…

Culture

Foreign law students flock to Geneva centre

This content was published on Apr 20, 2003 After just one term, Geneva’s University Centre for International Humanitarian Law (CUDIH) is setting up a parallel programme in English. Last year, Geneva University and the Graduate Institute of International Studies teamed up to create CUDIH, which offers a Master’s degree in International Humanitarian Law. Classes began five months ago and already university officials say…

Demographics

Swiss firm faces huge asbestos suit

This content was published on Apr 19, 2003 The action stems from the company’s activities in South Africa, which were terminated at the end of the 1970s. The case is being led by Richard Spoor, a South African lawyer who has represented asbestos workers against a number of corporations. His biggest success so far has been the creation of a special fund to…

Demographics

UN criticises Swiss drugs policies

This content was published on Apr 19, 2003 Health officials at the meeting in Vienna were divided on whether repressive or liberal policies work best. The head of the conference, Patricia Olamendi, called on countries to abandon what she called lenient and inconsistent policies toward cannabis and other drugs. According to Thomas Zeltner, head of the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health, Switzerland’s…

Demographics

Government urged to get tough on war criminals

This content was published on Apr 19, 2003 The group, “Trial”, says the government has let suspects slip through its fingers, including Saddam Hussein’s half-brother, Barzan al-Tikriti, who was captured on Thursday. Trial says the authorities often turn a blind eye to the perpetrators of genocide, torture and crimes against humanity. The group was launched last June and is made up of activists,…