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Swiss Politics

Swiss say no to tougher asylum laws

This content was published on Nov 24, 2002 Of 2,240,000 votes cast, a tiny majority of some 3,422 came out against the initiative. The result is provisional, and will only be confirmed in six to eight weeks. In the closest vote on a people’s initiative since 1891, the Swiss rejected by 50.1 to 49.9 per cent a proposal which would have effectively closed…

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Swiss Politics

Asylum vote cliffhanger

This content was published on Nov 24, 2002 The United Nations says the controversial rightwing proposal would make Swiss asylum laws among the most draconian in the industrialised world. But the Swiss People’s Party, which tabled the proposal, has said the new laws would cut back on abuse of the country’s asylum system by limiting the number of asylum applications. Benefits would also…

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Swiss Politics

Swiss vote on tighter asylum laws

This content was published on Nov 23, 2002 The initiative would limit the number of applications and cut benefits by slapping a work ban on asylum seekers. The government and the Swiss Refugee Council both oppose the initiative, but the vote is expected to be close. Aliki Panayides of the People’s Party dismisses claims that a “yes” vote would lead to Switzerland introducing…

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Guards inspect UN Baghdad headquarters

This content was published on Nov 21, 2002 The offices were used for the previous UN mission, which was abandoned in 1998. The Swiss specialists, who are members of the army’s fortification guards, are responsible for ensuring that the Baghdad headquarters of the weapons inspectors is habitable. The group, which arrived on Wednesday, was sent as an advance party to establish what needs…

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Swiss Politics

Return Assistance Programme for Yugoslavia

This content was published on Nov 20, 2002 Switzerland helped to shelter more than 50,000 refugees from the Balkans. In 1999, the Swiss government launched a repatriation programme, which led to the voluntary return of some 30,000 people – mainly ethnic Albanians – to Kosovo. But as ethnic Albanians started going home, at least 220,000 Kosovo Serbs and other minority groups fled the…

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Swiss Politics

Swiss capital plays host to UN appeal

This content was published on Nov 19, 2002 Although Switzerland has only been a UN member for two months, Bern was chosen as one of eight cities around the world to help launch the appeal. Some of the UN’s most senior officials, including the deputy secretary general, Louise Fréchette, came to the Swiss capital to call on donor countries to contribute $3 billion…

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Swiss prepare ground for weapons inspectors

This content was published on Nov 18, 2002 They will prepare the ground for weapons inspectors to follow at a later date. The Swiss specialists, who are members of the army’s fortification guards, will be responsible for ensuring that the Baghdad headquarters of the weapons inspectors is habitable. The group is being sent as an advance party to establish what needs to be…

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Swiss Politics

Gap narrows on asylum vote

This content was published on Nov 14, 2002 Some 43 per cent said they would vote “yes” to the rightwing proposal with 37 per cent against, but the gap has narrowed considerably in recent weeks. The Swiss are to vote on Sunday on an initiative by the Swiss People’s Party, which would limit asylum applications and cut benefits to those whose requests have…

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Swiss Politics

Blacks bear the brunt of racism in Switzerland

This content was published on Nov 13, 2002 More and more blacks say they are suffering from racism on the streets, in the workplace or in the housing market. In the run-up to this month’s national vote on restricting the rights of asylum seekers, anti-racism groups are warning that blacks in particular are being depicted en masse as drug dealers or trouble-makers without…

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Swiss Politics

Swiss show faith in government but distrust media

This content was published on Nov 8, 2002 The findings, released by the World Economic Forum (WEF), form part of a worldwide survey of some 36,000 people in 47 countries. The poll, entitled “Voice of the People”, asked citizens to rate their level of trust in 17 different institutions. More than two-thirds of Swiss respondents expressed reservations about the national media. And while…

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