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Swiss Politics

Human rights improvements on the cards

This content was published on May 13, 2008 The decision was announced after a working group of the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council adopted a report on Swiss human rights on Tuesday. Switzerland agreed to step up action against xenophobia, ratify the protocol of the UN convention against torture and create a national body to help prevent torture. It will also continue to…

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Leuthard wraps up free-trade talks in China

This content was published on May 12, 2008 The ministry said that Leuthard fulfilled her main objective, which was to hold meetings with the new Chinese trade minister, Chen Deming. The economics minister met Chen’s predecessor, Bo Xilai, almost one year ago, establishing an initial framework for trade discussions. Both governments have described the latest talks in Shanghai as constructive. Switzerland and China…

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Swiss Politics

Lebanon teeters on the brink once again

This content was published on May 10, 2008 Switzerland’s embassy in Beirut has advised the estimated 800 Swiss living in Lebanon to stay at home and avoid making any unnecessary trips. The dream of democracy in Lebanon had been dealt “a poisonous stab by the armed coup carried out by Hezbollah and its allies”, Siniora said on Saturday, adding that Beirut was a…

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Geneva exploits football potential

This content was published on May 9, 2008 Officials responsible for the organisation of the matches in the city say there will be a holiday atmosphere and visitors will be welcomed with open arms. Geneva is the venue for three of the matches of the tournament, which runs from June 7 to 29 and is being hosted jointly by Switzerland and Austria. A…

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Swiss Politics

Swiss in human rights hot seat

This content was published on May 8, 2008 Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey and a 20-strong Swiss delegation were grilled by some 40 states on Thursday about issues ranging from racism, migrant and women’s rights, naturalisations to the lack of a national human rights institution. Switzerland is part of the second group of 16 countries, including Pakistan, France and Japan, to be scrutinized over…

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Swiss Politics

Situation “desperate” following Myanmar cyclone

This content was published on May 8, 2008 Peter Achten tells swissinfo that as victims wait for essential supplies to arrive from abroad, dissatisfaction is growing over the military authorities’ response. Foreign aid is trickling in, but aid workers are stuck on the Thai border waiting for permission to enter Myanmar. Achten, who reports for Swiss public radio, happened to be in the…

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Swiss Politics

Swiss congratulate state of Israel

This content was published on May 7, 2008 In a letter published on Wednesday President Pascal Couchepin assured Israel of Switzerland’s support in efforts for a lasting peace in the Middle East. Couchepin also pointed out the long-standing friendly relations between the two countries and recalled that Switzerland hosted the first Zionist Congress in Basel in 1897. However, Israel did not invite a…

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Swiss Politics

“More effective” policy to aid fewer countries

This content was published on May 6, 2008 Switzerland’s foreign aid arm is planning to drop five states – Ecuador, Peru, Bhutan, Pakistan and India – from the list for 2009-2012. The decision follows a government review of the country’s foreign development strategy, which it on Tuesday said must be made “more effective”. The pared-town list of target countries, released by the SDC,…

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Swiss Politics

Swiss send aid for “monumental catastrophe”

This content was published on May 6, 2008 The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) has contributed SFr500,000 and the Swiss Red Cross SFr200,000. The Swiss aid, which will focus on providing care, drinking water and shelter, is part of international efforts to bring relief to victims of Cyclone Nargis, which tore through the country’s rice bowl and biggest city of Yangon…

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Swiss Politics

Rich face plans for higher taxes

This content was published on May 6, 2008 The necessary signatures required for a nationwide ballot were handed in to the federal authorities in Bern on Tuesday. The Party’s president, Christian Levrat, said that in future families with children should reap the benefit of the tax system and not the rich. “We want an end to tax gifts and privileges for the very…

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