No welcome mat for asylum seekers; in September, the House of Representatives followed the Senate in voting for what will soon be the most severe asylum legislation in Europe. By the time you read this article, the new law will likely be official paving the way for a referendum by Swiss citizens. Will they be able to turn back the clock?

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POLITICS

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No welcome mat for asylum seekers; in September, the House of Representatives followed the Senate in voting for what will soon be the most severe asylum legislation in Europe. By the time you read this article, the new law will likely be official paving the way for a referendum by Swiss citizens. Will they be able to turn back the clock?

The Swiss Federation is often associated with its humanitarian traditions. Mother of the Red Cross and host to numerous international organisations, neutral Switzerland cherishes its reputation as a safe haven for many.

During the war in the former Yugoslavia, Switzerland gave shelter to tens of thousands, taking in more refugees per capita than any other European country. The policy after the...

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