Swiss Politics

Switzerland imposes sanctions on Zimbabwe

This content was published on Mar 20, 2002 The foreign ministry said the decision had been taken after the election and as a response to the “constant violations of human rights in that country”. The announcement, on Tuesday, came on the same day that Zimbabwe was suspended from the Commonwealth for one year. The Swiss sanctions, which came into force on Wednesday, include…

Swiss Politics

Tax row overshadows Rome talks

This content was published on Mar 20, 2002 The Italian amnesty – believed to have triggered billions in capital flight out of Swiss banks – is among a number of issues clouding Couchepin’s visit to Rome, where he is holding talks with the Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. The amnesty was introduced last year to encourage Italians to repatriate some of their savings…

Swiss Politics

Changes afoot

This content was published on Mar 19, 2002 Since being introduced in 1986, the current league structure has been repeatedly criticised for being too complicated and too long. The Swiss league has now responded to those criticisms, proposing a simpler format along with a reduction of teams in the country’s top division. “It’s not just a change of formula,” insists national league director…

US accused of hijacking Monterrey agenda

This content was published on Mar 18, 2002 With the world failing to implement an ambitious agenda for reducing poverty, set at a UN summit two years ago, and with attention focused instead on the US-led “war on terrorism”, the mood going into the conference in Monterrey is one of low expectations. Monterrey is seen as a key stepping stone on the path…

Swiss Politics

English becomes fourth language of government

This content was published on Mar 9, 2002 Switzerland is constitutionally bound to translate all government documents into the three national languages. From the summer, English translators will join their German, French and Italian speaking counterparts in translating the bulk of government literature. The service will be ranked equally with the other translation units at an administrative level, although initially it will be…

Swiss Politics

Swiss humanitarian effort to benefit from UN membership

This content was published on Mar 8, 2002 Walter Fust, director of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation – or SDC – said adhesion to the UN will make the humanitarian organisation more credible and efficient overseas. Fust was speaking at the annual SDC conference held on Friday in the Swiss town of Montreux. The Swiss foreign minister, Joseph Deiss, said Switzerland…

Swiss Politics

Swiss mark International Women’s Day

This content was published on Mar 8, 2002 Besides lauding achievements, the Swiss also have used the occasion to explore many of the current issues and problems women face. In Bern, prominent Swiss women made speeches, while the Federal Office for Refugees threw open its doors to welcome visitors and workshop participants. The workshops examined such topics as pay, children’s rights, and immigrants’…

Swiss Politics

Immigration plan would favour EU countries

This content was published on Mar 8, 2002 Under a controversial bill presented on Friday by the justice minister, Ruth Metzler, people from outside the EU or EFTA, including residents of Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, would only get permission to immigrate to Switzerland if they have special skills or qualifications. The move is aimed at enshrining the current practice in law, but Metzler…

Swiss Politics

UN vote offers no clues to Europe

This content was published on Mar 5, 2002 “The UN and EU cannot be compared because they are totally different,” says political analyst, Curt Gasteyger. He told swissinfo that UN membership would have little impact on Switzerland, whereas joining the EU would entail a major overhaul of the country’s political institutions. “The United Nations is a global institution and in many ways non-committal…

Swiss Politics

Swiss look ahead to UN role

This content was published on Mar 5, 2002 Switzerland has had observer status at the UN for 57 years, and is already a member of its specialised agencies. But that does not mean it is going to hit the ground running when it eventually joins in September, following Sunday’s “yes” vote to membership. “We should not pretend we can do from day one…

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Swiss Politics

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Switzerland imposes sanctions on Zimbabwe

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Tax row overshadows Rome talks

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Changes afoot

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US accused of hijacking Monterrey agenda

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English becomes fourth language of government

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Swiss humanitarian effort to benefit from UN membership

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Swiss mark International Women’s Day

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Immigration plan would favour EU countries

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UN vote offers no clues to Europe

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Swiss look ahead to UN role

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