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Swiss Politics

ICRC describes “difficult” Israeli situation

This content was published on Jan 14, 2009 Jakob Kellenberger, who leads the Swiss-run Geneva-based organisation, visited the southern Israeli town of Sderot on Wednesday as part of a three-day trip to the area. Palestinian rockets regularly target the town. He described the situation as “very traumatic for children” in the town and “very difficult for the residents who have lived under the…

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Switzerland and the EU

This content was published on Jan 14, 2009 Switzerland has a turbulent relationship with the European Union. While many Swiss would be happy to join the EU, there are even more who are not interested as nationwide votes have shown in the past. (Keystone)

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Swiss Politics

ICRC chief demands respect for medics in Gaza

This content was published on Jan 13, 2009 Jakob Kellenberger, who leads the Swiss-run Geneva-based organisation, made the appeal on Tuesday after visiting the Shifa hospital in Gaza, on the first day of a three-day visit to the area. He will also see Palestinian and Israel officials. “It is absolutely necessary and not negotiable that medical teams are protected in this conflict,” he…

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Human rights body condemns Israeli attacks

This content was published on Jan 12, 2009 Monday’s non-binding resolution released by the Council said Israel’s attacks had “resulted in massive violations” of the human rights of Palestinians. However the resolution was not reached by consensus. Thirty-three African, Asian, Arab and Latin American countries voted in favour of the resolution while 13 European states – including Switzerland – abstained. The 47-member states…

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Swiss Politics

Swiss step in to ease Caucasus tensions

This content was published on Jan 12, 2009 Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey was in Georgia on Monday to finalise a Good Offices agreement which enables Switzerland to act as a third party “channel of communication” between the two governments. The same protecting power mandate was signed with Russia in December. The two sides severed diplomatic ties after Russian troops entered Georgia in August…

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Swiss Politics

When democracy is a burden

This content was published on Jan 12, 2009 The trouble is that not enough of its 180 inhabitants are willing to take on the task of sitting on the commune council and are prepared to take drastic measures to avoid being forced by law to do so. Bauen, at the southern end of Lake Lucerne in central Switzerland, looks like an idyllic place…

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Swiss Politics

Swiss abroad support EU labour deal

This content was published on Jan 12, 2009 The Council of the Swiss Abroad on Monday said the treaty – now up for extension to Bulgaria and Romania – had had a positive impact on the Swiss living abroad. Of the 700,000 Swiss represented by the organisation, 400,000 live in EU countries. The Council said the free movement treaty had established the principle…

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Swiss Politics

Protestors call for closure of Guantánamo

This content was published on Jan 11, 2009 The international human rights organisation held demonstrations in 35 countries, with Swiss protestors assembling in Bern around cages containing “prisoners” dressed in Guantánamo orange. Switzerland in particular could act by offering humanitarian protection to detainees who were ready to be released by the United States authorities but were unable to return to their country of…

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Swiss Politics

Israeli ambassador criticises Switzerland

This content was published on Jan 11, 2009 The Swiss foreign ministry rejected Elgar’s comments, saying Switzerland’s reaction to the events in the Middle East has been “balanced”. It pointed out that it had criticised Hamas’s rocket attacks on Israel in addition to condemning the Israeli reaction as “disproportionate”. In an interview with a Sunday newspaper, Elgar said of the 32 countries –…

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Widmer-Schlumpf named “Swiss of the Year”

This content was published on Jan 11, 2009 Widmer-Schlumpf, a clear winner with almost 70 per cent of the votes, said she wouldn’t have thought holding the prize, which she said was “for everyone”, would have been possible a year ago. 2008 was indeed a rollercoaster year for Widmer-Schlumpf. In December 2007 she suddenly found herself a cabinet minister after receiving more votes…

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