Swiss Politics

Cabinet steers clear of EU labour quota

This content was published on May 21, 2008 Free access to the labour market is a key element of bilateral relations between non-EU member Switzerland and Brussels under an accord which came into force in 2002. The Swiss economy was benefiting from the agreement, the justice ministry said in a statement on Wednesday. However, the government reserves the right to reconsider restrictions at…

Swiss Politics

Experts call for change in Swiss refugee policy

This content was published on May 20, 2008 The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) wants wealthier countries to agree in advance to take in specific numbers of refugees who have not found a permanent place of refuge. Until the late 1990s Switzerland took part in the system, but abandoned it when huge numbers of refugees fleeing the conflict in ex-Yugoslavia started arriving.…

Swiss Politics

Study warns of welfare trap

This content was published on May 20, 2008 The National Science Foundation has called for reform to adapt the system to individual needs, particularly those of younger people. Eighteen to 25 year olds make up the largest group of welfare beneficiaries. They accounted for nearly 13 per cent of the total in 2006. Overall about 245,000 people in Switzerland lived on welfare –…

Myanmar regime weathers the storm

This content was published on May 20, 2008 Matthias Huber of the Association Suisse-Birmanie (Switzerland-Myanmar Association) says there is little will among the people to stand up against the military dictatorship. “I have taken an interest in Myanmar for 30 years. At every crisis I tell myself that the regime cannot go on as it is, and that changes are bound to happen.…

Swiss Politics

Ministerial support for Swiss squad

This content was published on May 19, 2008 He wished the players the best of luck for the tournament, which is being hosted by Switzerland and Austria, and handed them combat rations to boost their performance. Schmid, who is also defence minister, said he was confident the Swiss would qualify for the quarterfinals. The Swiss face the Czech Republic, Portugal and Turkey in…

Swiss Politics

Government slammed over biodiversity failures

This content was published on May 19, 2008 The Swiss branch of WWF and the Association for the Protection of Birds filed a complaint at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg. The groups said the government had failed to put into practice measures to protect endangered species and habitats as part of a 1989 international convention. They said the government refused to increase…

Swiss Politics

Swiss could have acted sooner on Jewish assets

This content was published on May 18, 2008 Kunin is a supporter of Hillary Clinton for the Democratic presidential nomination. In an interview with swissinfo she bemoans the fact that there are fewer women involved in politics in the US than in Switzerland. The only woman to serve three terms as a governor in United States history is publishing her memoires, entitled “Pearl,…

Swiss Politics

People’s Party hits Graubünden branch

This content was published on May 17, 2008 The decision on Saturday in Zurich follows that canton’s support of justice minister and party member Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf, whom the People’s Party had demanded step down. Widmer-Schlumpf, who has the support of Switzerland’s six other cabinet ministers, has said she intended to stay in office and would not be “intimidated”. The 84-13 vote to open…

Swiss Politics

Call to improve development goals

This content was published on May 16, 2008 Alliance Sud, the Swiss Alliance of Development Organisations, made the statement on Friday, ten days ahead of a parliament vote on development funding. Peter Niggli, head of the group, said Swiss aid should favour direct partnerships with beneficiaries and follow the Millennium Objectives set by the United Nations in 2000 for global poverty numbers to…

Swiss Politics

Settlement expected in apartheid case

This content was published on May 14, 2008 Plaintiffs representing black South Africans are claiming $400 billion (SFr420 billion) in damages from 50 prominent companies they say violated international law and supported South Africa’s apartheid regime between 1948 and 1994. A decision by the US Supreme Court this week to uphold a 2007 appeal court ruling allowed the case to go forward, paving…

Swiss Politics

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Swiss Politics

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Cabinet steers clear of EU labour quota

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Experts call for change in Swiss refugee policy

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Study warns of welfare trap

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Myanmar regime weathers the storm

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Ministerial support for Swiss squad

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Government slammed over biodiversity failures

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Swiss could have acted sooner on Jewish assets

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People’s Party hits Graubünden branch

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Call to improve development goals

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Settlement expected in apartheid case

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