Swiss Politics

Fight against child sex tourism stepped up

This content was published on Nov 17, 2008 It is the latest move in Switzerland aimed at fighting child sex tourism. Earlier this year the Federal Police Office set up a special internet link for the reporting of cases. The Code of Conduct is an international industry-driven initiative supported by children’s protection groups. Around 600 companies and organisations have joined worldwide. By signing…

Swiss Politics

Libyan relations remain a challenge

This content was published on Nov 16, 2008 Tension was sparked between the two countries in July by the arrest in Geneva of Hannibal Gaddafi and his wife. Servants of the two had accused them of serious mistreatment. Couchepin said on Sunday that the situation was currently one of the “most difficult” the government faced abroad and a return to normal relations would…

Swiss Politics

Safety group highlights road deaths

This content was published on Nov 16, 2008 Another 14 people are seriously injured daily, the Road Cross organisation announced, while marking the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims on Sunday. Road Cross organised a public demonstration in Fribourg to mark the day, with relatives of victims speaking about the violent nature of road accidents. “The suffering of road accident victims…

Swiss Politics

“Schmid’s resignation should lead to a rethink”

This content was published on Nov 16, 2008 Ogi, who himself was often subject to attack as a cabinet minister, tells swissinfo Schmid’s resignation should lead to a rethink about the way politicians are treated. A former parliamentarian with the rightwing People’s Party, Ogi served as defence and sport minister from 1988 to 2000. He went on to become the first United Nations…

Swiss Politics

Schengen Information System proves its worth

This content was published on Nov 15, 2008 Although not a member of the European Union, Switzerland is set to join the Schengen Area in December. Federal Police Office spokesman Guido Balmer told swissinfo that although success was difficult to measure, the system, known simply as SIS, was working well. “It functions and we’ve found a solution which is friendly to the users…

Swiss Politics

Dialogue requires compromise, envoy to UN says

This content was published on Nov 14, 2008 Peter Maurer was speaking on Thursday, the second day of a two-day conference on interreligious cooperation at the UN headquarters in New York. Maurer pointed out that dialogue between representatives of different religions was seldom successful. Dialogue only worked if both sides were prepared to compromise. He said the peaceful coexistence between cultures depended first…

Swiss Politics

Bern rejects asylum for Guantanamo inmates

This content was published on Nov 13, 2008 The three – a Libyan, an Algerian and a Chinese – made their asylum applications earlier this year after US authorities signalled they were free to leave after seven years imprisonment if they found a safe haven. The Federal Migration Office in Bern confirmed the decision on Thursday but gave no details, commenting that this…

Swiss Politics

Brussels plans changes to fight tax evasion

This content was published on Nov 13, 2008 Switzerland, which is not a member of the European Union, has already signalled its willingness to discuss the new measures because they will not affect the country’s banking secrecy legislation. Since 2005, Switzerland has levied a withholding tax on the interest income of EU taxpayers with an account in Switzerland, which will eventually reach 35…

Swiss Politics

Rich and poor taxed alike as cantons compete

This content was published on Nov 13, 2008 Obwalden became the first canton to introduce a single income tax rate for all inhabitants regardless of wealth at the start of the year. Canton Uri has voted to follow suit and Thurgau may soon join them. The radical change is the latest development in a race by smaller cantons to transform their economic fortunes…

Swiss Politics

Israel warned to halt house demolitions

This content was published on Nov 13, 2008 The ministry said it was “deeply concerned” by the destruction of houses belonging to Palestinian families in so-called “administrative demolitions”. It commented there was no military need to justify the destruction of these houses. In a statement on Thursday, the ministry said East Jerusalem was an integral part of the occupied Palestinian territory. It noted…

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Fight against child sex tourism stepped up

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Libyan relations remain a challenge

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Safety group highlights road deaths

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“Schmid’s resignation should lead to a rethink”

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Schengen Information System proves its worth

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Dialogue requires compromise, envoy to UN says

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Bern rejects asylum for Guantanamo inmates

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Brussels plans changes to fight tax evasion

More

Rich and poor taxed alike as cantons compete

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Israel warned to halt house demolitions

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