Addressing the opening session of the Geneva-based Human Rights Council on Monday, Cassis looked back over the 70-year history of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, signed in Paris in 1948.
“It is the task of all of us in this room and outside to fight for rights with courage and determination but also to focus and to speak frankly,” he said, adding that renewed efforts were necessary to defend basic rights.
“We have learnt that nothing is guaranteed for ever and that humankind often falls into the same traps.”
He also mentioned Saudi dissident Jamal Khashoggi and Slovak journalist Jan Kuciak who, he said, were killed last year because of their courage in standing up for freedom of opinion and the respect for others.
Cassis also highlighted the importance of the Swiss city of Geneva in the history of human rights, notably the foundation of the Red Cross in 1863 and the League of Nations in 1920.
He stressed the role of democratic decisions and the rule of law to ensure peace and prosperity.
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Switzerland moves to boost International Geneva
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The government has moved to help bring science and diplomacy together in International Geneva.
As a Swiss Abroad, how do you feel about the emergence of more conservative family policies in some US states?
In recent years several US states have adopted more conservative policies on family issues, abortion and education. As a Swiss citizen living there, how do you view this development?
What factors should be taken into account when inheriting Swiss citizenship abroad?
Should there be a limit to the passing on of Swiss citizenship? Or is the current practice too strict and it should still be possible to register after the age of 25?
Over a quarter of Swiss Catholics consider leaving the church
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In Switzerland 27% of Catholics have thought about leaving the church, according to a survey by the Sotomo research centre.
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Following the Credit Suisse debacle, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) is adapting its organisation.
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The Swiss Armed Forces are training their fighter jets in Bern to fly from a civilian base. The exercise at Bern Airport will last until Wednesday.
Plans materialise for new particle accelerator in Geneva
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Preparations for a huge new particle accelerator in Geneva have reached a milestone. After several years of work, a feasibility study for the project has now been finalised.
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The value of frozen Russian assets in Switzerland currently stands at CHF7.4 billion ($8.4 billion), the Swiss government announced on Tuesday.
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The number of business start-ups in Switzerland accelerated in the first three months of the year, with entrepreneurs being particularly dynamic in Central Switzerland, Basel and Geneva.
Most Swiss authorities want to ban Nazi symbols in public
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A majority of Swiss political parties, cantons and associations want to ban the use and distribution of Nazi symbols in public.
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Bachelet voices concerns over Myanmar and US in first key speech
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The new UN human rights chief, Michelle Bachelet, has highlighted the problematic rights records of world powers as well as the crisis in Myanmar.
Switzerland urges China to close Uighur detention camps
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China faced criticism by Switzerland in Geneva on Tuesday concerning detention camps allegedly holding up to one million Uighurs and other Muslims.
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