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Swiss Politics

UN commission serves out its time

This content was published on Mar 19, 2006 After the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution to create the new council last Wednesday, all that remains is for the commission to tie up the current loose ends. The 62nd and final Human Rights Commission session no longer has the legitimacy to intervene on other issues that were once in its domain, according…

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Swiss Politics

Wait goes on for a national human rights body

This content was published on Mar 18, 2006 Non-governmental organisations fear the need to find a politically acceptable solution means it could be another three years before a national human rights institution sees the light of day. The first seeds for such a body were sown five years ago when an initiative was lodged in parliament, calling for the establishment of a federal…

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Swiss Politics

Swiss hope for progress on Kosovo

This content was published on Mar 17, 2006 The comments came after a meeting between Swiss Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey and the United Nations Special Envoy for Kosovo, Martti Ahtisaari. The session in Austria was the second round of talks between Serbian and ethnic Albanian officials after a preliminary round in February ended with no agreement. Friday’s discussions focused once again on the…

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Swiss Politics

Reality dawns after human rights breakthrough

This content was published on Mar 16, 2006 Questions remain over the role of the United States, and there are fears that urgent issues will be neglected during the replacement of the discredited Human Rights Commission. The new council, which is due to sit for the first time in Geneva on June 19, was approved by an overwhelming majority of United Nations member…

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Swiss Politics

Swiss hail new UN human rights body

This content was published on Mar 15, 2006 The new body, which will replace the Geneva-based Human Rights Commission, was adopted by an overwhelming majority of member states despite opposition from the United States. Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey spoke of her “profound joy” on hearing the news that the council – the result of a Swiss initiative – had been accepted on Wednesday.…

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Swiss Politics

East Timor leader appeals for aid

This content was published on Mar 15, 2006 Gusmao held talks on Wednesday with the executive committee of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, ahead of a visit to the Swiss capital, Bern. Gusmao said he requested aid from the Geneva-based International Labour Organisation, and held talks with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Louise Arbour. Gusmao is the first…

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Swiss Politics

Foreigners exercise voting rights

This content was published on Mar 13, 2006 Turnout was low among foreigners in cantons Fribourg and Vaud, where they were allowed to vote in municipal elections for the first time. Foreign participation in such elections was unprecedented. “We have no studies or past experiences to look at,” said political analyst, René Knüsel, of Lausanne University. Knüsel said the only conclusion to be…

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Swiss Politics

Commission halts amid human rights deadlock

This content was published on Mar 13, 2006 Manuel Rodriguez Cuadros, the commission’s president, obtained the postponement on Monday in the hope that a decision can be reached shortly on the proposed Human Rights Council. Cuadros cited the “extraordinary situation” brought about by ongoing talks in New York over the council, which stems from a Swiss initiative. Negotiations have been deadlocked for weeks…

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Swiss Politics

Bern awaits decisions on new human rights body

This content was published on Mar 13, 2006 The UN Human Rights Commission in Geneva is set to open its 62nd session on Monday but will be asked to adjourn for a week to give a new chance for the creation of a Human Rights Council. Manuel Rodriguez Cuadros, the commission’s Peruvian president, will ask for the postponement in the hope that a…

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Swiss Politics

Smoking ban blazes a trail in Ticino

This content was published on Mar 12, 2006 Voters decided in a referendum on Sunday by an overwhelming majority (79.1 per cent) to follow the lead of neighbouring Italy by modifying current legislation on the issue. The law bans smoking in all restaurants, bars, discos and night clubs. Owners of such establishments have the possibility to make separate areas for smoking but these…

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