Amnesty International has urged the Swiss government to reconsider possible repatriation flights of Ethiopian asylum seekers.
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The human rights group said it was concerned about reports of a planned deportation operation next Wednesday of several Ethiopians whose asylum request was rejected by Switzerland.
Amnesty said the east African country was not safe due to ongoing political tensions, including serious human rights violations in the northern Tigray region ahead of parliamentary elections scheduled for June.
The Swiss justice ministry’s State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) did not comment on the reports by the Migrant Solidarity Network group.
The SEM said last week that repatriation flights to Ethiopia were possible regardless of the coronavirus pandemic.
But such operations to conflict areas were excluded, a spokesman told the Swiss news agency, Keystone-SDA.
In November, the Swiss government pledged CHF2 million ($2.3 million) for humanitarian aid in the violence-hit Tigray region. It has called on all parties to respect international humanitarian law.
Voters in Zurich reject pay rise for local politicians
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Local parliamentarians in Zurich will not receive a pay hike after 53.2% of voters in the city came out against the plan on Sunday.
Minimum wage narrowly rejected in canton Basel Country
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The Unia trade union initiative had called for a minimum wage of CHF22 ($24.20) per hour for all employees working in the canton.
Bernese voters accept counter-proposal to solar initiative
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In the Swiss canton of Bern, there will still be no solar obligation for roof renovations in the future, but there will be one for large car parks.
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Two-thirds of Swiss people feel that cohesion in the country is “rather weak”, according to a study. Some 83% of respondents even felt that the sense of community was declining.
Solothurn voters reject minimum wage of CHF23 per hour
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Employees in the Swiss canton of Solothurn will not receive a minimum wage of CHF23 ($25.30) per hour. Voters have clearly rejected a left-wing popular initiative for a minimum wage.
Europe is stronger than often claimed, says Alain Berset
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Alain Berset, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, sees the current international situation as a wake-up call for Europe.
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Solothurn and Basel Country will vote on minimum wage initiatives, and Lucerne is deciding on lowering the voting age to 16.
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The jury of the Prix de Lausanne dance prize has selected nine winners from 85 dancers aged 15 to 18. None was from Switzerland.
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Landmark forum seeks ‘better answers’ to refugee response
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The first-ever “Global Refugee Forum” opens in Geneva on Monday to identify practical solutions to improve the lives of refugees and host communities.
Switzerland calls for de-escalation and dialogue in Ethiopia
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Switzerland has expressed its concern about developments in Ethiopia, calling for a de-escalation of violence and a return to dialogue.
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Recognized refugees who return to their home countries will lose their refugee status in Switzerland, but some exceptions will still be allowed.
Call to speed up deportation of Eritreans rejected
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The Swiss parliament stops short of forcing the government to open talks with the Eritrean authorities on a repatriation accord.
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