On 25 February, representatives of Switzerland and the United Kingdom signed an agreement preserving the rights already acquired by citizens residing in the other’s territory after the UK leaves the EU. Any rights already acquired by a citizen of either country under current EU rules will be preserved for life. The agreement was signed by […]
Mistrust of Islam nearly three times higher than negative views of muslims
A recent survey in Switzerland shows mistrust of Islam is close to three times more prevalent than negative views of muslims. Every two years, Switzerland’s Federal Statistical Office compiles a survey of attitudes towards people of different race, religion and nationality. The survey entitled: living together in Switzerland, asks a wide range of questions covering […]
Percentage in Geneva who are only Swiss shrinks to nearly a third
Recent figures from the canton’s statistical office show the percentage of residents 15 or older holding Swiss citizenship along with one or more other nationalities has grown to 27%. Only 36% of the population are Swiss only. The remaining 37% of residents are foreign nationals without Swiss citizenship. The figures, which take the averages over […]
Woman who joined Islamic State wants to return to Switzerland
A woman from Lausanne, who joined the so-called Islamic State, wants to return to Switzerland, according to the Swiss broadcaster RTS. The woman, currently held in a prison camp in Syria, joined the organization four years ago with her husband. Switzerland’s government has not yet decided whether the woman and her one and a half […]
Switzerland to allow UK citizens to come to work in Switzerland after Brexit
Yesterday, Switzerland’s Federal Council decided that it would continue to allow UK citizens to come to work in Switzerland after 30 March 2019 in the event of a no-deal Brexit. A government press release stated there would be a separate quota of permits available to UK citizens. The temporary quota would allow 3,500 UK citizens […]
Switzerland’s prison population swells 50% in less than 30 years
The number of prisoners in Switzerland rose 50% from 1988 to 2017. Much of this is due to population growth. Switzerland’s population grew 28% over the same period. However, population growth doesn’t account for all of the increase in prison numbers. In 1988, there were 70 prisoners per 100,000. By 2017, the same figure was […]
Sharp increase in judicial deportation of foreign criminals in Geneva in 2018
Last year, the canton’s court ruled that 439 foreign criminals could be deported, according to the newspaper 20 Minutes. In 2017 the number was 283, 64% of the number in 2018. In addition, the percentage of cases resulting in a deportation ruling went from 49% to 59% between 2017 and 2018. Deporting foreign criminals – […]
Rejected Swiss citizenship applicants withdraw appeal
A couple who refused to the shake hands with those interviewing them during their citizenship application, has withdrawn their appeal challenging its rejection, according to the newspaper Le Matin. Pierre-Antoine Hildbrand, a local politician who interviewed the couple last spring told Keystone-ATS that the couple’s application was rejected by a majority of the municipality of […]
Swiss politicians might soon have to declare dual nationality
Swiss parliamentarians could soon be required to show any other nationalities they hold on the official parliamentary website. The idea was supported by 15 members of a 22-member parliamentary commission looking at it, according to RTS. The initiative was launched by Swiss People’s Party (UDC/SVP) member Marco Chiesa and has stated aim of improving transparency. […]
Vote against laws restricting religious clothing in public office divides Geneva
In Switzerland, religion is a cantonal matter. Cantons decide on the relationship between religion and politics. This has created a patchwork of different systems across Switzerland. In April 2018, the government of Geneva introduced new rules designed to further protect religious freedom and preserve religious neutrality in its public institutions, known as laïcité or secularity laws. Laïcité […]
