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Swiss Politics

Swiss demonstrate in support of refugees

This content was published on Jun 16, 2007 In a keynote address on Friday ahead of the national day of action, Swiss President Micheline Calmy-Rey called on the Swiss population to show more respect and openness for refugees and asylum seekers. Members of human rights and church organisations, as well as unions and political parties, attended the demonstration in the capital, demanding “fundamental…

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Swiss hail “important progress” on ivory trade

This content was published on Jun 15, 2007 The 171-member Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites) endorsed a compromise by African ministers on halting poaching while letting local communities benefit from ivory sales in regions where elephant numbers are rising. In the early hours of Friday, the last day of the conference in The Hague, African nations agreed to a massive…

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Ziegler wants new status for hunger victims

This content was published on Jun 14, 2007 Switzerland’s Jean Ziegler also said biofuels could lead to hundreds of thousands of deaths from hunger worldwide. He said the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council could define the details together with the World Food Programme. The new status would require amending a 1951 UN convention granting refugee status to people fleeing racial, political or religious…

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Swiss return funds to Taiwan in frigate scandal

This content was published on Jun 13, 2007 The justice ministry confirmed on Wednesday that proceedings for an additional $490 million blocked in Swiss bank accounts were continuing. The affair, dating back to 1991, involves the controversial $2.5 billion (SFr3.25 billion) sale of six Lafayette frigates to Taiwan by the French former state-owned firm, Elf Aquitaine. It is alleged that Elf Aquitaine, via…

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Swiss and Spanish defend common values

This content was published on Jun 12, 2007 Calmy-Rey, who is also the foreign minister, took time out to attack a proposal to ban minarets in Switzerland, which she called “unconstitutional”. The president met the Spanish prime minister, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, on Tuesday. Speaking to the media later at the Swiss embassy in Madrid, she said she admired the Socialist premier’s “innovative…

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Swiss Politics

Young guns

This content was published on Jun 12, 2007

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Swiss Politics

Pardons for refugee helpers to continue

This content was published on Jun 12, 2007 Parliament’s committee for rehabilitation, which has completed its search of military court records held by the Federal Archives, has now called on cantons and individuals to produce further names. The committee announced on Tuesday that since the introduction of a law in 2004 overturning wartime sentences, a total of 119 people had seen their names…

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Swiss Politics

Hands off my gun!

This content was published on Jun 11, 2007 As the national gun debate hots up, swissinfo tests the temperature of opinion among gun fans with a visit to a gun dealer and stop-off at the “world’s biggest shooting festival”. It’s 10am and the tiny premises of Poyet gun shop in the middle of the capital Bern are a hive of activity. A distinguished-looking…

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Swiss Politics

Human Rights Council enters crucial phase

This content was published on Jun 11, 2007 Switzerland, like other Western countries, wants the institution to be as independent as possible and open to non-governmental organisations. Asian and African countries – which form the majority – would prefer mechanisms to be controlled by the states. Luis Alfonso de Alba, president of the UN Human Rights Council until June 18, is leading the…

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Swiss press rue “missed opportunity” by G8

This content was published on Jun 9, 2007 G8 leaders ended their summit on Friday after agreeing to set a nonbinding goal to cut greenhouse gases, warn Iran over its nuclear programme and give more money to fight diseases in Africa. But a deal on the future of Serbia’s Kosovo province eluded them. German Chancellor Angela Merkel, hosting G8 leaders and heads of…

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