Category Archives: News Switzerland

News Switzerland

Switzerland: Law on Travellers

Published by:

The Law on travellers proposed by the Canton of Bern is getting bashed by a law professor who considers it illegal. The proposal would bring drastic measures against travellers who would be treated in the same way as hooligans.
Bad law, good critique!

– «Lex Fahrende» erhält miese Noten. In: Der Bund. 14.03.2018. https://www.derbund.ch/bern/kanton/lex-fahrende-erhaelt-miese-noten/story/18895340
– Jus-Professor kritisiert «Lex Fahrende». In: Berner Zeitung. 14.03.2018. https://www.bernerzeitung.ch/region/kanton-bern/jusprofessor-kritisiert-lex-fahrende/story/12727031 [link-preview url=”https://www.derbund.ch/bern/kanton/lex-fahrende-erhaelt-miese-noten/story/18895340 “]

News Switzerland

Switzerland: More on the Complaint

Published by:

Another report on the complaint against the Youth SVP (rightist party) in Bern and their discriminatory poster. The worrisome fact is that after having initially forbidden the post, Facebook re-authorised the post.
Bad…

– Strafverfahren gegen JSVP wegen «Zigeuner»-Plakat eingeleitet. In: Nau. 12.02.2018. https://www.nau.ch/news/strafverfahren-gegen-jsvp-wegen-zigeuner-plakat-eingeleitet-65308361
– Facebook lässt «Zigeuner»-Plakat der JSVP wieder zu. In: Nau. 05.04.2018. https://www.nau.ch/politik-wirtschaft/facebook-lasst-zigeuner-plakat-der-jsvp-wieder-zu-65305448 [link-preview url=”https://www.nau.ch/news/strafverfahren-gegen-jsvp-wegen-zigeuner-plakat-eingeleitet-65308361 “]

News Switzerland

Switzerland – Racism

Published by:

The Bern Young SVP (the Swiss rightist party) who posted a poster against Roma are now being investigated by the prosecutor’s office for racism.
Let’s see whether they will be condemned, which is far from sure in Switzerland.

– Staatsanwaltschaft ermittelt gegen Jung-SVP-Chefs. In: Blick. 11.03.2018. https://www.blick.ch/news/politik/rassismus-verdacht-wegen-zigeuner-plakat-staatsanwaltschaft-ermittelt-gegen-jung-svp-chefs-id8097534.html [link-preview url=”https://www.blick.ch/news/politik/rassismus-verdacht-wegen-zigeuner-plakat-staatsanwaltschaft-ermittelt-gegen-jung-svp-chefs-id8097534.html”]

News Switzerland

Camping Site

Published by:

A site for “foreign” travellers (i.e. Roma) is opening in Brügg, Switzerland. Switzerland has a policy of de-facto segregation – reserving sites for Swiss travellers only. This is a rather recent development, started around 2014.

– Transitplatz für Fahrende in Brügg. In: Bauernzeitung. 08.03.2018. https://www.bauernzeitung.ch/news-archiv/2018/transitplatz-fuer-fahrende-in-bruegg [link-preview url=”https://www.bauernzeitung.ch/news-archiv/2018/transitplatz-fuer-fahrende-in-bruegg”]

News Switzerland

Switzerland and EU

Published by:

Following the late report of Switzerland on the Framework Agreement for the Protection of National Minorities, members from the Council of Europe were in Bern to speak with representatives of the Government and f the minorities. Jenishe, sinti, and also Roma organisations were also included in this dialogue.

– Europarat nimmt im Bernbiet die Lage der Jenischen und Sinti unter die Lupe. https://www.derbund.ch/bern/region/europarat-nimmt-im-bernbiet-die-lage-der-jenischen-und-sinti-unter-die-lupe/story/11801374 [link-preview url=”https://www.derbund.ch/bern/region/europarat-nimmt-im-bernbiet-die-lage-der-jenischen-und-sinti-unter-die-lupe/story/11801374″]

News Switzerland

SVP and Roma

Published by:

The SVP, the Swiss rightist party distanced itself from its Bernese youth branch following their publication of a racist poster on the internet.
This poster was removed from Facebook in the meantime but led to an indictment of the Young SVP party for incitation to racist hatred.

– Mutterpartei rüffelt Berner Jung-SVP-Chefs. In: Blick. 25.02.2018. https://www.blick.ch/news/politik/svp-zoff-wegen-zigeuner-plakat-mutterpartei-rueffelt-berner-jung-svp-chefs-id8034423.html
– Dieses Bild wird eingeklagt. In: Tageswoche. 24.02.2018. https://tageswoche.ch/gesellschaft/dieses-bild-wird-eingeklagt/ [link-preview url=”https://www.blick.ch/news/politik/svp-zoff-wegen-zigeuner-plakat-mutterpartei-rueffelt-berner-jung-svp-chefs-id8034423.html “]

News Switzerland

More on the Swiss SVP

Published by:

Another article, this time in French on the poster of the rightist SVP in Switzerland and the complaint against them from the Association of Sinti and Roma Switzerland.

– Des Roms choqués par une caricature des Jeunes UDC. In: 24 Heures. 23.02.2018. https://www.24heures.ch/suisse/roms-choques-caricature-jeunes-udc/story/17982232 [link-preview url=”https://www.24heures.ch/suisse/roms-choques-caricature-jeunes-udc/story/17982232″]

News Switzerland

Swiss Extreme Right

Published by:

The Association of Sinti and Roma Switzerland, together with the Association for the protection of threatened people lodged a legal complaint for racism against the youth wing of the Bern SVP following their publication of a poster which is essentially racist.
Even some of the SVP members seem to agree. Let’s see what the justice will do, as in Switzerland, it is not certain that this will be condemned.

– Junge SVP Bern wegen Plakat angezeigt. In: Der Bund. 23.02.2018. https://www.derbund.ch/schweiz/standard/junge-svp-bern-wird-wegen-plakat-angezeigt/story/22360279
– Die Junge SVP wird wegen Plakat angezeigt. In: 20 Minuten (CH). 23.02.2018. http://www.20min.ch/schweiz/news/story/Junge-SVP-wird-wegen-Plakat-angezeigt-21196778
– Sinti und Roma zeigen Junge SVP an. In: SRF. 23.02.2018. https://www.srf.ch/news/regional/bern-freiburg-wallis/wahlkampf-im-kanton-bern-sinti-und-roma-zeigen-junge-svp-an [link-preview url=”https://www.derbund.ch/schweiz/standard/junge-svp-bern-wird-wegen-plakat-angezeigt/story/22360279 “]

News Switzerland

Swiss Extreme Right Switzerland

Published by:

The Bern youth wing of the Swiss rightist party SVP went overboard in the canton Bern. They published a cartoon on the Internet against “Zigeuner” which states:
“Millions for building and maintenance, dirt, faeces, theft, etc. against the will of the population.”
We say NO to the camping sites for foreign Gypsies”
REALLY? This is racist. [link-preview url=””]

News Switzerland

Switzerland: Foreigners not Wanted

Published by:

The Swiss canton of Neuchatel is preparing a law on travellers that discriminates against non-Swiss travellers coming to the country (some on a regular basis since the 1970’s).
This is not acceptable.

– ” Une loi qui criminalise des minorités ” In: RTN. 13.02.2018. https://www.rtn.ch/rtn/Actualite/Region/20180213-Une-loi-qui-criminalise-des-minorites.html [link-preview url=”https://www.rtn.ch/rtn/Actualite/Region/20180213-Une-loi-qui-criminalise-des-minorites.html”]

News Switzerland

Switzerland – Not Enough!

Published by:

Travellers in Switzerland (Jenische, Sinti, Roma) do not have enough camping sites in Switzerland. The association of the communes is asking for all to work together and for this issue not to be solely left to the communes themselves.

– Plätze für Fahrende: Gemeindeverband fordert Zusammenarbeit. In: Volksblatt. 26.01.2018. https://www.volksblatt.li/Nachricht.aspx?src=sda&id=275386
– Immer weniger Standplätze für Jenische, Sinti und Roma. In: Volksblatt. 26.01.2018. https://www.volksblatt.li/Nachricht.aspx?src=sda&id=275393
– Solution consensuelle pour les gens du voyage. In: 24 Heures. 26.01.2018. https://www.24heures.ch/suisse/solution-consensuelle-gens-voyage/story/26396968
– AIRS DE SÉJOUR EN BAISSE POUR LES GENS DU VOYAGE. In: Le Matin. 26.01.2018. https://www.lematin.ch/news/Airs-de-sejour-en-baisse-pour-les-gens-du-voyage/story/25263295
– Aires de séjour et de transit pour les gens du voyage: une meilleure collaboration entre les cantons, les communes et les personnes directement concernées est obligatoire. In: Presseportal. 26.01.2018. https://www.presseportal.ch/fr/pm/100059928/100811676 [link-preview url=”https://www.volksblatt.li/Nachricht.aspx?src=sda&id=275386 “]

News Switzerland

Switzerland: A First!

Published by:

Alain Berset, the current president of the Swiss Confederation, issued a statement for the International Holocaust Remembrance Day in which, for the first time Roma were also mentioned.
Good!

– “Holocaust-Tragödie verpflichtet zum Nachdenken”. In: Kath.ch. 27.01.2018. https://www.kath.ch/newsd/holocaust-tragoedie-verpflichtet-zum-nachdenken/ [link-preview url=”https://www.kath.ch/newsd/holocaust-tragoedie-verpflichtet-zum-nachdenken/”]

News Switzerland

Switzerland: Reactions

Published by:

Some reactions against the new law of Canton Bern.

– Le canton de Berne durcit le ton face aux gens du voyages occupant des terrains illégalement. In: RTS. 24.01.2018. https://www.rts.ch/play/radio/forum/audio/le-canton-de-berne-durcit-le-ton-face-aux-gens-du-voyages-occupant-des-terrains-illegalement?id=9254595&station=a9e7621504c6959e35c3ecbe7f6bed0446cdf8da [link-preview url=”https://www.rts.ch/play/radio/forum/audio/le-canton-de-berne-durcit-le-ton-face-aux-gens-du-voyages-occupant-des-terrains-illegalement?id=9254595&station=a9e7621504c6959e35c3ecbe7f6bed0446cdf8da”]

News Switzerland

Switzerland: The Traveller’s Law

Published by:

The new law against “illegal” camps for travellers in the Canton Bern is a shame. It caters to racism and prejudices all the while depriving travelling Roma (for it is targeted against them) of their livelihood.

– Die “Lex Fahrende” treibt die Platzsuche an. In: Der Bund. 25.01.2018. https://www.derbund.ch/bern/kanton/die-lex-fahrende-treibt-die-platzsuche-an/story/24204383 [link-preview url=”https://www.derbund.ch/bern/kanton/die-lex-fahrende-treibt-die-platzsuche-an/story/24204383″]

News Switzerland

Switzerland: Harder

Published by:

The Canton of Bern has decided to harden its policies towards “foreign” Travellers. They are not allowed to camp in sites reserved for the Swiss Travellers and now, “unauthorised” camping on private grounds (even when the ground’s owner has agreed) is a cause for expulsion.
BAD

– Kantonsparlament beschliesst strengere Regeln für Fahrende. In: Der Bund. 23.01.2018. https://www.derbund.ch/bern/kanton/kantonsparlament-beschliesst-haertere-gangart-gegenueber-fahrenden/story/24339071 [link-preview url=”https://www.derbund.ch/bern/kanton/kantonsparlament-beschliesst-haertere-gangart-gegenueber-fahrenden/story/24339071″]

News Switzerland

Slow Swiss …

Published by:

The Swiss are true to their reputation: Everything with ponderation, consideration, and discussion. In this case, the Swiss Federal Government set up a task force to make proposal for bettering the situation of Jenische (Swiss Travellers) Sinti and Roma. In 2014 …
In 2017, no end to the story, as the final report is still outstanding.

– Was wurde eigentlich aus dem Aktionsplan für Fahrende? In: Tages Anzeiger. 29.12.2017. https://www.tagesanzeiger.ch/schweiz/standard/was-wurde-eigentlich-aus-dem-aktionsplan-fuer-schweizer-fahrende/story/29830508 [link-preview url=”https://www.tagesanzeiger.ch/schweiz/standard/was-wurde-eigentlich-aus-dem-aktionsplan-fuer-schweizer-fahrende/story/29830508″]

News Switzerland

Sofia: No carriages

Published by:

Another article on the new interdiction of horse drawn carriages in the centre of Sofia. This deprives many Roma of their only source of income.
Bad.

– Les charrettes ne sont plus le dada de Sofia qui accueille l’UE. In: Swiss Info. 22.12.2017. https://www.swissinfo.ch/fre/les-charrettes-ne-sont-plus-le-dada-de-sofia-qui-accueille-l-ue/43776542 [link-preview url=”https://www.swissinfo.ch/fre/les-charrettes-ne-sont-plus-le-dada-de-sofia-qui-accueille-l-ue/43776542″]

News Switzerland

International Holocaust Remembrance

Published by:

In the context of the Swiss presidency of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) in 2017, representatives from the IHRA met Roma representatives from Switzerland.

– Meeting with Roma Representatives in Switzerland. In: International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance. 05.12.2017. https://holocaustremembrance.com/media-room/news-archive/meeting-roma-representatives-switzerland [link-preview url=”https://holocaustremembrance.com/media-room/news-archive/meeting-roma-representatives-switzerland”]

News Switzerland

Switzerland: New Measures

Published by:

The Swiss are introducing new measures against “troublesome” travellers, i.e. against foreign Roma. They can now deny them the permit for work if they have not been condemned in the last two years. This may very well mean that a traffic violation will be sufficient to be denied work.
Bad, and symptomatic of the new attitude of the Swiss against Roma.

– Kantone erhalten Druckmittel gegen störende Fahrende. In: St. Galler Tagblatt. 08.12.2017. http://www.tagblatt.ch/nachrichten/schweiz/neues-druckmittel-gegen-fahrende;art253650,5162621
– Kantone bekommen neues Druckmittel gegen Fahrende. In: Barfi. 08.12.2017. https://barfi.ch/News-Schweiz-die-Welt/Kantone-bekommen-neues-Druckmittel-gegen-Fahrende [link-preview url=”https://barfi.ch/News-Schweiz-die-Welt/Kantone-bekommen-neues-Druckmittel-gegen-Fahrende”]

News Switzerland

More on Bern …

Published by:

More articles on the vote of the Bern parliament in favour of the establishment of a camping site for travellers in the canton.

– Am Schluss gabs bei den Fahrenden ein Selfie. In: Berner Zeitung. 22.1..2017. https://www.bernerzeitung.ch/region/bern/am-schluss-gabs-bei-den-fahrenden-ein-selfie/story/23767423
– Statt «Marschhalts» folgt die Planung des Platzes in Wileroltigen. In: Der Bund. 22.11.2017. https://www.derbund.ch/bern/kanton/neuhaus-setzt-sich-mit-seiner-fahrendenpolitik-durch/story/29077277
– Berner BDP will Fahrende vertreiben. In: Nau. 23.11.2017. https://www.nau.ch/news/berner-bdp-macht-gegen-fahrende-stimmung-65269502
– Berner Kantonsparlament gegen Planungsstopp für Transitplätze. In: Swiss Info. 22.11.2017. https://www.swissinfo.ch/ger/alle-news-in-kuerze/berner-kantonsparlament-gegen-planungsstopp-fuer-transitplaetze/43697220 [link-preview url=”https://www.bernerzeitung.ch/region/bern/am-schluss-gabs-bei-den-fahrenden-ein-selfie/story/23767423 “]

rroma.org
en_GBEN
de_DEDE fr_FRFR en_GBEN