Swiss Politics

Sudanese rebels sign up to landmine ban

This content was published on Oct 7, 2001 The signing of the Deed of Commitment by the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) was one of the biggest successes so far for the Geneva Call, a Swiss non-governmental organisation dedicated to including armed opposition movements in the process to ban landmines. It is also a potentially important step for the millions of civilians at…

Swiss Politics

Alive and kicking

This content was published on Oct 2, 2001 The select side, made up of players from across the Swiss canton, are set to play FC Pristina on Wednesday in what will be the Kosovar team’s first home match against European opposition in more than ten years. “It’s a great moment for Kosovo,” Swiss organiser Urs Frieden told swissinfo as he finished packing for…

Bunkers still relevant today, says Civil Protection Office

This content was published on Sep 30, 2001 The usefulness of maintaining these bunkers is often questioned, but the Swiss Civil Protection Office argues that they still fulfil an important function. “The shelters were designed for all kinds of incidents, such as nuclear or chemical accidents, not just war,” says Jürg Balmer, head of International Affairs at the Office. Protective filters Balmer explains…

Swiss Politics

Delegates may step into Zug government next week

This content was published on Sep 28, 2001 The Zug cantonal government was plunged into crisis after it lost three of its members after a gunman opened fire during a session of the cantonal parliament. Eleven members of parliament were killed. The three people belonging to Zug’s seven-member government were identified as Monika Hutter-Häfliger, health director for canton Zug; construction director Jean-Paul Flachsmann,…

Swiss Politics

Pakistan braces for influx of refugees

This content was published on Sep 27, 2001 Pakistani officials have announced that borders with Afghanistan will remain closed to Afghans without travel documents. However, they said refugees who manage to enter the country illegally will be permitted to stay and looked after. Bernard Imhasly, a Swiss journalist based in Pakistan, told swissinfo that the policy was aimed at preventing members of the…

Swiss Politics

Americans baulk at global deal on sustainable development

This content was published on Sep 25, 2001 The two-day meeting brought together the 55 member states of the UN Economic Commission for Europe, which also incorporates North America. These countries are responsible for two thirds of the world’s economic output, but also two-thirds of carbon dioxide emissions, and therefore have a huge role to play in Johannesburg, which is being billed as…

Swiss Politics

Switzerland takes lead role for 2002 earth summit

This content was published on Sep 24, 2001 Representatives from the United Nations “European” region, which includes both the United States and Canada, will meet in Geneva at the end of September to discuss preparations for the 2002 summit. Under the leadership of Deiss, the preparatory meeting aims to reach an agreement among member countries on proposals that will be presented to the…

Swiss Politics

Aid agencies mobilise for Afghan crisis

This content was published on Sep 24, 2001 “This could be a massive operation. We have to be in place now,” says Peter Kessler, a spokesman for the Office of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR). The UNHCR, which says tens of thousands of people are already on the move, is preparing for the worst. It has ordered 20,000 tents, 20,000…

Swiss Politics

Swiss government plans databank on asylum-seekers

This content was published on Sep 24, 2001 The databank, known as “Etrangers 2000”, would provide the Federal Office for Refugees with information on the length of time spent by any asylum seeker in Switzerland, from the time of entry until departure. The system would replace the now-defunct Central Register for foreigners. The databank would provide a uniform method of recording information, and…

Swiss Politics

Swiss nuclear power plants must review safety, says inspectorate

This content was published on Sep 23, 2001 Switzerland and its neighbour, Germany, are the only two countries to impose measures to protect nuclear sites against a plane impact, a statement from the inspectorate said on Friday. Last week’s terrorist attacks in the US pushed defence issues to the top of the political agenda and prompted governments to step up security at public…

Swiss Politics

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Swiss Politics

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Sudanese rebels sign up to landmine ban

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Alive and kicking

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Bunkers still relevant today, says Civil Protection Office

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Delegates may step into Zug government next week

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Pakistan braces for influx of refugees

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Americans baulk at global deal on sustainable development

More

Switzerland takes lead role for 2002 earth summit

More

Aid agencies mobilise for Afghan crisis

More

Swiss government plans databank on asylum-seekers

More

Swiss nuclear power plants must review safety, says inspectorate

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