Swiss Politics

French-speaking Switzerland shows solidarity with foreigners in Emmen

This content was published on Mar 23, 2000 The authorities in Lausanne have joined the city parliament in Geneva, by saying they are willing to naturalise 48 foreigners whose applications for citizenship were turned down by voters in the central Swiss town of Emmen, where they reside. Geneva and Lausanne called on cantonal and federal officials to allow them to grant citizenship to…

Swiss Politics

Swiss government says Kosovar repatriation depends on “external factors”

This content was published on Mar 23, 2000 The justice minister, Ruth Metzler (pictured), says the success of the repatriation of Kosovar refugees depends on factors such as the state of the peace process. The statement follows criticism of the government’s forced-repatriation policy. Metzler’s latest statement may seem aimed at toning-down the alleged hardline policy. At present, Berne is planning to forcibly repatriate…

Swiss Politics

Moratorium on naturalisation requests in town of Emmen

This content was published on Mar 23, 2000 The authorities in the central Swiss town of Emmen have placed a moratorium on processing any new naturalisation requests, following harsh criticism from within Switzerland and abroad of its system of allowing residents to vote on citizenship applications. The authorities have reacted to the criticism by suspending the applications of another 250 foreigners living in…

Swiss Politics

Swiss parliamentarians to monitor Russian presidential elections

This content was published on Mar 23, 2000 Two Swiss parliamentarians are part of a Council of Europe delegation that will be monitoring Russia’s presidential elections on Sunday. Andreas Gross and Claude Frey, along with their 11 European collegues, are heading for Moscow at the Russian parliament’s request. The team is set to visit balloting stations in Moscow as well as in several…

Swiss Politics

Swiss refugee policy seen as hindrance to reconstruction in Kosovo

This content was published on Mar 22, 2000 The head of the United Nations civil administration in Kosovo, Tom Koenigs, is warning that Switzerland’s policy of forcibly returning refugees from Kosovo to their homes is hindering efforts to re-build the battered province. Berne is planning to repatriate Kosovars who do not leave Switzerland of their own accord by the end of May. Koenigs…

Swiss Politics

Parliament gives thumbs up to official cabinet mouthpiece

This content was published on Mar 22, 2000 Parliament has approved the idea of an official cabinet spokesperson. It is one of a series of changes in the law relating to the organisation of the government. The new law basically rubber stamps the status quo, even though a similar proposal was turned down by parliament in 1993. The de facto cabinet spokesman was,…

Swiss Politics

Moratorium on naturalisation requests in town of Emmen

This content was published on Mar 22, 2000 The authorities in the central Swiss town of Emmen have placed a moratorium on processing any new naturalisation requests, following harsh criticism from within Switzerland and abroad of its system of allowing residents to vote on citizenship applications. The authorities have reacted to the criticism by suspending the applications of another 250 foreigners living in…

Swiss Politics

Maurer plays down party divisions

This content was published on Mar 21, 2000 The Swiss People’s Party president, Ueli Maurer, is playing down internal political differences, following the decision by two former leading officials to turn their backs on the party. Maurer said he regretted the moves but indicated the two people concerned were not important members of the party. In an interview with German-Swiss television, Maurer said…

Swiss Politics

Switzerland favours positive engagement with countries accused of abusing human rights

This content was published on Mar 21, 2000 Switzerland favours positive engagement with countries accused of abusing human rights. The Swiss foreign minister, Joseph Deiss, has unveiled several proposals for improving human rights, at the annual meeting of the United Nations Commission. However, he shied away from strongly condemning countries with poor records. He proposed new protocols on two existing treaties, as well…

Swiss Politics

Land route opened for returning Kosovo refugees

This content was published on Mar 21, 2000 Nine European countries have signed an accord allowing refugees who fled Kosovo during last year’s war to return home by an overland route, without a visa. Switzerland is among the signatories. The accord was signed in Berlin by Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Germany, Italy, Croatia, Austria, Slovenia, Hungary and Switzerland. The Swiss justice ministry said the agreement…

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French-speaking Switzerland shows solidarity with foreigners in Emmen

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Swiss government says Kosovar repatriation depends on “external factors”

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Moratorium on naturalisation requests in town of Emmen

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Swiss parliamentarians to monitor Russian presidential elections

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Swiss refugee policy seen as hindrance to reconstruction in Kosovo

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Parliament gives thumbs up to official cabinet mouthpiece

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Moratorium on naturalisation requests in town of Emmen

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Maurer plays down party divisions

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Switzerland favours positive engagement with countries accused of abusing human rights

More

Land route opened for returning Kosovo refugees

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