Switzerland

“Neutrality remains essential”

ICRC President Peter Maurer* discussing war and peace

Interview held by Roger Köppel on October 6, 2022

(7 November 2022) (Ed.) As President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Peter Maurer has visited the hotbeds of conflict around the world. In his final interview as president, he expresses cautious optimism. Peter Maurer believes that international humanitarian law is being better upheld in the Ukrainian conflict. The role of a neutral mediator remains essential in the struggle for peace.
Grain of sand

Petition to the Federal Council

by Suzette Sandoz,* Lausanne

(31 October 2022) Well, here we go again! Yesterday evening (10 October), on the news of the French-speaking Swiss television RTS, we were presented with an article about – free of charge – vaccination, the fourth dose for people at risk or, quite simply, from the age of 16! We are again “shown” bare (ohhh) pricked shoulders and, above all, we are served up some deaths, some thousands of Covid cases, some hospitalisations, in short, the liturgy from which we had been spared for a while. And of course some testimonies (I get vaccinated because I am a teacher, because I am a nurse – undercurrent: to protect others!); it is true that one also heard one person who refused vaccination, but without any justification. AND the whole thing is under the responsibility of the FOPH [Federal Office of Public Health].

“If Europe is incapable of working for peace, it will vanish from history!”

Interview with Georges Martin* conducted by “Indocile.press”

((31 October 2022) Edit.) Now retired, Georges Martin, former No. 3 in Swiss diplomacy, is committed to and wants to be an ambassador for peace. The man who served neutrality shows us that he is so attached to this notion that he would not want to corrupt it with the convoluted language of diplomacy. “Indocile” called on this diplomat whose personal commitment to neutrality allows the Iranians to make the pilgrimage to Arabia and the Saudis to Mashhad.

“I had an impact – that’s what counts”

Interview of ICRC President Peter Maurer* conducted by Barbara Lüthi, SRF (Swiss Radio and Television), 11 August 2022

(18 August 2022) Peter Maurer’s presidency at the «International Committee of the Red Cross» (ICRC) was marked by many crises: the Syrian war, the persecution of the Rohingya in Myanmar, Afghanistan and Ukraine. In this interview, he takes a look back.
Switzerland

“A world record is growing here!”

(22 June 2022) (Edit.) The “Swiss Farmers’ Union” (Schweizer Bauernverband SBV) is drawing attention to itself in its anniversary year with a World Record Rösti* campaign. The children and young people involved are thus given a welcome connection to the realities of agriculture and a staple food, the potato. Unfortunately, it takes on a current urgency in the context of world events, the safeguarding of food sovereignty and one’s own provisions and preparedness.

Manual work for a “dog mission”

by Max Hugelshofer, Swiss Mountain Aid

(20 June 2022) What do guide dogs in Switzerland, the USA, Australia or France have in common? Most likely they wear a harness that was handmade in Switzerland. Until recently in the Jura, now in a mountain village in Ticino.