Swiss complain to Cameroon over ‘unacceptable’ journalist attack
Geneva's Intercontinental Hotel frequently hosts international meetings, top politicians and other VIPs - and is occasionally the scene of demonstrations
Keystone / Martial Trezzini
Switzerland has complained to Cameroon following a reported attack on a Swiss public television journalist in Geneva, outside a hotel where the Cameroon president, Paul Biya, is staying.
This content was published on
2 minutes
Keystone-SDA/ilj
The incident involving the RTS journalist happened on Wednesday afternoon, as a group of opponents of Biya demonstrated outside the hotel, RTS reported.External link
Several men, thought to have been bodyguards, ran out of the hotel to chase the demonstrators away, it said. The journalist who remained in front of the hotel filming was reportedly manhandled by the men, who took his bag with his mobile phone, wallet and equipment. This was later returned to him after three hours of negotiations involving the Swiss police. The journalist has filed a complaint against the men involved.
Confirmed
A Swiss foreign ministry spokesman confirmed that Switzerland had taken “diplomatic steps” with Cameroon following the incident.
“The ambassador of Cameroon was summoned to Bern and informed by the Swiss foreign ministry that such incidents are unacceptable, and that freedom of the press is protected and must be respected,” Georg Farago told swissinfo.ch.
“Switzerland recalls that it is very committed to freedom of expression and the press as well as to respect for the rules in the public sphere.”
More
More
Switzerland mediates in Cameroon crisis
This content was published on
Switzerland is acting as a facilitator in the crisis in north-western and south-western Cameroon at the request of the parties involved.
The incident is sensitive as it comes after the Swiss foreign ministry just announced that Switzerland was acting as a facilitator in the crisis in north-western and south-western Cameroon at the request of the parties involved. A second preparatory meeting with various Cameroonian opposition groups took place in canton Valais, Switzerland, this week, hence the presence of Biya in Geneva. An initial meeting was held in Geneva in May.
Meanwhile, there have been calls on social media for Cameroonians living in Europe to take part in a protest on Saturday in Geneva against the presence of the 86-year-old head of state, who has ruled Cameroon since 1982.
More
More
Cameroon’s Biya: Why the Swiss won’t stop his Geneva stays
This content was published on
Reports alleging Cameroon’s president Paul Biya runs his country from a Geneva hotel raise questions whether official Switzerland can intervene.
Should Switzerland take measures to support its struggling industries?
Industrial policies are back in fashion, not only in the United States but also in the EU. Should Switzerland, where various industries are struggling, draw inspiration from such policies?
UBS has cut 10,000 jobs since Credit Suisse takeover in 2023
This content was published on
UBS Group has cut more than 10,000 roles since it bought Credit Suisse, marking a milestone in the lender’s efforts to integrate its former rival.
Swiss multinational SGS to move HQ from Geneva to Zug
This content was published on
The Swiss multinational SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, plans to move its headquarters from Geneva to canton Zug in central Switzerland.
Swiss army takes part in international tank competition
This content was published on
Around 20 Swiss army personnel and two Leopard 2 tanks are taking part in an international tank competition in Grafenwöhr, Germany, this week.
Omega-3 supplements seem to slow ageing process, Swiss study finds
This content was published on
Taking a daily omega-3 supplement appears to slow down the rate of biological ageing by up to four months, according to a study by researchers at the University of Zurich.
This content was published on
The Swiss writer and translator Alain Claude Sulzer has been awarded the Solothurn Literary Days Prize 2025 for his lifetime's work.
Prix de Lausanne features 85 dancers from 23 countries
This content was published on
The 53rd Prix de Lausanne international ballet competition is underway. A total of 85 young dancers from 23 countries are competing in the Swiss city.
Swiss Solidarity charity collected CHF34 million in 2024
This content was published on
Swiss Solidarity, the humanitarian arm of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SBC), raised CHF34.4 million ($37.7 million) in donations in 2024 and spent CHF63 million on humanitarian projects.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Switzerland mediates in Cameroon crisis
This content was published on
Switzerland is acting as a facilitator in the crisis in north-western and south-western Cameroon at the request of the parties involved.
This content was published on
The Cameroonian army has freed twelve European hostages, including seven Swiss nationals, announced the Cameroonian authorities on Wednesday.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.