Swiss Politics

New blow to rejected Tamil asylum seekers

This content was published on May 28, 2009 The House agreed with the Senate, which voted on the issue earlier this week. Both have followed the view of Justice Minister Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf that halting repatriation would send the wrong signal. The 26-year conflict between the Sri Lankan government and the Tamil Tigers rebel group seeking independence for the north came to an end…

Swiss Politics

Speak the language, then get Swiss passport

This content was published on May 28, 2009 The House of Representatives on Thursday approved a motion demanding applicants for citizenship speak German, French, Italian or Romansh fluently. Speakers said it was key for integration into society for foreigners to be fluent in a national idiom. The proposal, which still has to be discussed by the Senate, stops short of supporting a call…

Swiss Politics

Cuba thwarts human rights debate on Sri Lanka

This content was published on May 27, 2009 At the United Nations in Geneva on Wednesday, Cuba blocked any debate on amendments put forward by Germany on a text submitted by the Sri Lankan government on the situation in the country. The Cuban representative accused the Europeans of “arrogance and intransigence”, saying the proposed amendments would completely “rewrite” the Sri Lankan text. Switzerland’s…

Swiss Politics

Switzerland joins renewable energy body

This content was published on May 27, 2009 Irena includes a group of 83 countries interested in working together to promote alternative power. The stated goal of the international organisation is to become “the main driving force for promoting a rapid transition towards the widespread and sustainable use of renewable energy on a global scale”. The Swiss government agreed to join the body…

Swiss Politics

Unions push for six weeks of vacation

This content was published on May 27, 2009 Swiss law currently allows for four weeks of paid vacation a year. But Travail Suisse, the country’s trade union umbrella group, has collected enough signatures to force a nationwide vote on extending time off to six weeks a year. “In the past two decades the workplace has become increasing hectic,” Travail Suisse said in a…

Swiss Politics

North Korea raises diplomatic stakes

This content was published on May 26, 2009 Victor Mauer, deputy director of the Center for Security Studies at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, also told swissinfo.ch that China would play a central role in any solution. Switzerland joined a chorus of voices from around the world in condemning North Korea’s second nuclear test on Monday. The communist regime exploded…

Swiss Politics

Senate opposes repatriation stop for Tamils

This content was published on May 26, 2009 It followed the view of Justice Minister Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf that halting repatriation would send the wrong signal. The 26-year-long conflict between the Sri Lankan government and the Tamil Tigers rebel group seeking independence for the north came to an end earlier this month. Switzerland, which already has a large Tamil expat community, is expecting more…

Swiss Politics

Campaign targets summer drink driving

This content was published on May 26, 2009 Although the blood-alcohol limit in Switzerland has now been lowered to levels in most other European countries, experts warn that more prevention work is needed. According to the Swiss Council for Accident Prevention, around 700 people died or were injured in accidents with intoxicated drivers last year in Switzerland. In 2005, the country dropped its…

Swiss Politics

Bern sinks youth visa agreement with Australia

This content was published on May 26, 2009 The Swiss embassy in Canberra has accused politicians in Bern of showing a “lack of political will” after they buried plans for a working-holiday visa. The idea of the Working Holiday Visa (WHV) is to spend a year in Australia, travel around, discover another culture, perfect your English – and at the same time be…

Swiss Politics

Swiss condemn North Korea nuclear test

This content was published on May 26, 2009 The Swiss foreign ministry said in a statement on Monday evening that the underground tests were a clear violation of United Nations resolutions that call for the reclusive nation to abandon its nuclear ambitions. “Switzerland is convinced that the North Korea nuclear question can only be solved with negotiations and diplomacy,” the ministry said. “In…

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New blow to rejected Tamil asylum seekers

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Speak the language, then get Swiss passport

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Cuba thwarts human rights debate on Sri Lanka

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Switzerland joins renewable energy body

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Unions push for six weeks of vacation

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North Korea raises diplomatic stakes

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Senate opposes repatriation stop for Tamils

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Campaign targets summer drink driving

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Bern sinks youth visa agreement with Australia

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Swiss condemn North Korea nuclear test

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