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Swiss Politics

Schengen Information System proves its worth

This content was published on Nov 15, 2008 Although not a member of the European Union, Switzerland is set to join the Schengen Area in December. Federal Police Office spokesman Guido Balmer told swissinfo that although success was difficult to measure, the system, known simply as SIS, was working well. “It functions and we’ve found a solution which is friendly to the users…

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Dialogue requires compromise, envoy to UN says

This content was published on Nov 14, 2008 Peter Maurer was speaking on Thursday, the second day of a two-day conference on interreligious cooperation at the UN headquarters in New York. Maurer pointed out that dialogue between representatives of different religions was seldom successful. Dialogue only worked if both sides were prepared to compromise. He said the peaceful coexistence between cultures depended first…

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Swiss Politics

Bern rejects asylum for Guantanamo inmates

This content was published on Nov 13, 2008 The three – a Libyan, an Algerian and a Chinese – made their asylum applications earlier this year after US authorities signalled they were free to leave after seven years imprisonment if they found a safe haven. The Federal Migration Office in Bern confirmed the decision on Thursday but gave no details, commenting that this…

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Swiss Politics

Brussels plans changes to fight tax evasion

This content was published on Nov 13, 2008 Switzerland, which is not a member of the European Union, has already signalled its willingness to discuss the new measures because they will not affect the country’s banking secrecy legislation. Since 2005, Switzerland has levied a withholding tax on the interest income of EU taxpayers with an account in Switzerland, which will eventually reach 35…

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Swiss Politics

Rich and poor taxed alike as cantons compete

This content was published on Nov 13, 2008 Obwalden became the first canton to introduce a single income tax rate for all inhabitants regardless of wealth at the start of the year. Canton Uri has voted to follow suit and Thurgau may soon join them. The radical change is the latest development in a race by smaller cantons to transform their economic fortunes…

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Swiss Politics

Israel warned to halt house demolitions

This content was published on Nov 13, 2008 The ministry said it was “deeply concerned” by the destruction of houses belonging to Palestinian families in so-called “administrative demolitions”. It commented there was no military need to justify the destruction of these houses. In a statement on Thursday, the ministry said East Jerusalem was an integral part of the occupied Palestinian territory. It noted…

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Swiss Politics

UBS executive charged with aiding tax evasion

This content was published on Nov 12, 2008 In an indictment made public on Wednesday, Raoul Weil is accused of being part of an effort to help around 20,000 clients hide $20 billion (SFr23.6 billion) in assets in overseas accounts between 2002 and 2007. UBS allegedly gained $200 million a year in revenue as a result during the five-year period, US justice authorities…

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Swiss Politics

Asylum bid fails for rescued Ukrainian family

This content was published on Nov 12, 2008 Switzerland’s Federal Court announced on Wednesday it had upheld a decision to that effect by the Federal Migration Office. The court said it was now reasonable for the family to return to Ukraine, which it described as a safe country. It also took into consideration that the family had relatives in Ukraine who had previously…

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Swiss Politics

Swiss observer “appalled” by conditions in Gaza

This content was published on Nov 12, 2008 The politicians sailed to Gaza from Cyprus on a yacht organised by US-based Free Gaza activist group to deliver medical supplies. Speaking from Cyprus on his return, Communist Party parliamentarian Joseph Zisyadis described the living conditions of the population as appalling. Gaza’s population of 1.4 million has been virtually cut off from the world since…

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Swiss Politics

Police laws on use of force approved

This content was published on Nov 12, 2008 The legislation approved by the cabinet on Wednesday aims to ensure a minimum infringement of individuals’ rights by police using violence or weapons. It lays down strict conditions for the use of Taser devices. Among the scenarios where the use of stun guns would be permitted would be an attempted aeroplane hijacking or when overpowering…

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