The minarets initiative weighs heavily on Amnesty International’s annual report on Switzerland’s human rights situation. That report, which alleges rights abuses in 159 countries, is released today. In Switzerland, Amnesty says it worries about a climate of increasing racism, saying the minarets vote allowed for a number of public comments targeting the muslim community. The report quotes heavily from the Council of Europe’s Commission against racism and tolerance. That body said that the minarets initiative never should have been put to a public vote. Amnesty’s report also notes that Switzerland needs to do more to prevent police violence.Just last October the UN Human Rights committee demanded independent bodies to look into complaints against law enforcement. One bright spot in the report: Amnesty does look favorably on Bern’s decision to welcome two former Guantanamo refugees inmates.
ECRI report Switzerland Measures have been taken to foster the integration of immigrants in areas such as employment, housing and health. The federal bodies in charge of racism and migration have continued to raise awareness on racism and racial discrimination. Steps have been taken to combat right-wing extremism. However, there has been a dangerous growth of racist political discourse against non-citizens, Muslims, Black people and other minorities. Legislation is insufficiently developed to deal with direct racial discrimination, which targets in particular Muslims and persons from the Balkans, Turkey and Africa. Travellers and Yenish communities with an itinerant life style are still faced with a shortage of stopping sites and prejudice leading to instances of discrimination. Legislation governing asylum seekers has been tightened and hostility towards them has increased.
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