Swiss citizenship system

[03cavPA]

I found this on BBC this morning.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6992670.stm

..............
The report, from Switzerland's Federal Commission on Racial Discrimination, recommends far-reaching changes.

It criticises the practice of allowing members of a community to vote on an individual's citizenship application.

Muslims and people from the Balkans and Africa are the most likely to be rejected, the report points out.

Switzerland has Europe's toughest naturalisation laws. Foreigners must live for 12 years in a Swiss community before they can apply, and being born in Switzerland brings no right to citizenship.

Under the current system, foreigners apply through their local town or village.

They appear before a citizenship committee and answer questions about their desire to be Swiss. After that, they must often be approved by the entire voting community, in a secret ballot, or a show of hands.

This practice, the report says, is particularly likely to be distorted by racial discrimination................................

It looks like the Swiss aren't too happy with their immigration problem.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3207834.stm

The success in Sunday's general election of an anti-immigration, far-right party has been interpreted, however, as a sign that the Swiss want change, and as such has baffled many who have enviously eyed the Alpine federation's prosperity and stability. The outcome of Sunday's elections - in which the nationalist People's Party won the highest share of the vote - could alter the make-up and tone of the country's Federal Council for the first time since 1959..................................


Switzerland has a relatively high level of immigration, per head of population - asylum applications rose by 26.6% in 2002 to 26,125............................................ ..........

opcorn:

[YogsVR4]

Its their country and should be able determine citizenship in whatever manner they see fit. If they only want seven foot tall lefthanders to move there then so be it.

[03cavPA]

Originally Posted by YogsVR4

Its their country and should be able determine citizenship in whatever manner they see fit.

I agree. I just think it puts things in perspective for those who might think we're so "closed minded" here in the US.

Imagine what would happen here if it was suggested that the community would have the vote whether or not one could be granted citizenship.

[00accord44]

I'd like to see that system instituted in the US and taken one step farther. We should be able to vote out people we don't want anymore... and send em to Canada

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by 03cavPA

Imagine what would happen here if it was suggested that the community would have the vote whether or not one could be granted citizenship.

Heaven forbid. I can just see all the bleeding heart liberal and human rights groups having a field day with that idea. They would be screaming bloody murder. Although it doesn't sound bad in principle, it will never fly in the good ole U.S. of A.

[RSX-S777]

Originally Posted by 00accord44

I'd like to see that system instituted in the US and taken one step farther. We should be able to vote out people we don't want anymore... and send em to Canada

Kind of like what Hitler did, but without the "vote" part?