Media releases since December 2019
World Women's Day: 'Trial of strength is the be-all and end-all of South African masculinity'
Media release - In its online campaign for International Women's Day 2021, terre des hommes schweiz is focusing on the work of LifeLine. The South African partner organisation supports and accompanies girls and women who have survived sexual violence. In a major media interview, Gabriela Wichser, Head of Programmes at terre des hommes schweiz, explains the connection between gender-based violence, poverty and the Corona crisis, which increases inequality between the North and the South.
Corrective Initiative: No Wild West with Guns in Brazil!
Media release - On 5 March, the Federal Council is expected to adopt its message on the popular initiative of the "Alliance against Arms Exports to Countries at Civil War", in short the corrective initiative. terre des hommes switzerland demands stronger democratic control of the Swiss arms trade and risk analyses also for export countries in which a cruel drama involving armed violence is taking place on a daily basis.
"Young Sahrauis need prospects"
Media release - The signs point to war in the decades-long conflict between Morocco and the Sahrawi liberation movement Frente Polisario. Human rights activist Laila Fahkouri has been staying in the Sahrawi refugee camps in the Algerian desert since March. The situation is particularly gruelling for young people, she tells terre des hommes schweiz. Condemned to do nothing, they are prone to take up arms themselves.
Rejected asylum seekers: "unreasonable dependence on state emergency aid
Media release - People whose asylum applications have been rejected often live in precarious conditions. The Swiss emergency aid system is not working, criticises terre des hommes schweiz. The development organisation has commissioned a study to examine the situation in the cantons of Basel-Stadt and Basel-Landschaft in particular. It will be presented at a panel event with a prominent panel and live video streaming.
Export of war material out of control
Media release - There is always the risk that war material produced in Switzerland will be used in human rights violations in other countries. For example in Brazil, where arms and police violence in the poor quarters is increasing. terre des hommes schweiz is calling for greater democratic control over Swiss arms exports in the light of the latest SECO figures on war material exports. The development organisation, which is committed to the Corrective Action and War Business Initiative, has commissioned a study on this issue.
"More weapons and a repressive security policy lead to a vicious cycle of deadly violence"
The latest SECO figures on war material exports show Despite the Corona crisis, the export business of the Swiss arms industry is flourishing. To ensure effective control of arms exports, terre des hommes schweiz is participating in the alliance of the corrective initiative and is taking a clear stand on the Federal Council's indirect counter-proposal.
Contact media office
Anna Wegelin
+41 61 338 91 66
anna.wegelin(at)terredeshommes.ch
