Deputies reject easier naturalisation requirements; cases of identity theft are soaring in Switzerland; plus other news in our Friday roundup.
National Council deputies reject easier naturalisation requirements
During a special session on Thursday, MPs turned down a proposal to cut the wait time before a non-EU foreigner can apply for citizenship from the current 10 years of residency down to five.
For ‘Action Vierviertel’, the group behind the initiative, the required residency period for naturalisation is too long in Switzerland, especially compared to other countries.
However, the predominant opinion among the legislators is that becoming a Swiss citizen should not be a quick process but instead be based on integration – a process that takes time, especially for immigrants from third countries.
Identity theft is exploding in Switzerland
Behind these thefts – which occur when someone steals personal information in order to commit fraud – lies a lucrative black market and limited legal recourse, security experts warn.
In two years, the number of reported cases of online identity theft in Switzerland has jumped from 478 to 8,102, according to RTS broadcaster.
This kind of criminal activities involves innocent victims whose identities and faces are usurped, costing them money and often also the loss of reputation in the process.
Authorities are therefore encouraging victims to file complaints with their local police departments.
National domestic violence hotline is launched
After some delays due to logistics, the national three-digit emergency number, 142, is introduced today.
It will route calls to specialists in the victims’ canton of residence, who are trained to respond based on the specific needs of the callers.
Support centres will operate from Monday to Friday, 8 am. to 6 pm.
Outside these hours, calls will be routed to an inter-cantonal line.
This approach has required increased coordination among the cantons to ensure continuous and consistent access to services.
Today is ‘workers’ day’ in most parts of Switzerland
Like many other countries, Switzerland too is celebrating Labour Day today, which is marked mostly by demonstrations and rallies organised by trade unions and left-leaning groups.
It is not, however, a public holiday throughout Switzerland; rather, it is celebrated in some cantons but not in others.
It is a holiday in Zurich, Basel–City, Basel–Country, Jura, Neuchâtel, Schaffhausen, Thurgau and Ticino.
In Aargau and Solothurn, people are usually given a half day off (from noon)
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