Human Trafficking in [Switzerland] [other countries]
Street Children in [Switzerland] [other countries]
Child Prostitution in [Switzerland] [other countries]
 

Prevalence, Abuse & Exploitation of Street Children

Swiss Confederation (Switzerland) [ Country-by-Country Reports ]

The Swiss Confederation [map] is a federal republic located in central Europe and bordered by France (W & SW), with the Jura Mts. and the Lake of Geneva (traversed by the Rhône River) forming the frontier. In the north it is separated from Germany by the Rhine River and Lake Constance. Its eastern neighbors are Austria and Liechtenstein, and in the southeast and south it is divided from Italy by the Alpine crests, the Lake of Lugano, and Lago Maggiore. The federal capital is Bern, and the largest city is Zürich.

Switzerland is a peaceful, prosperous, and stable modern market economy with low unemployment, a highly skilled labor force, and a per capita GDP larger than that of the big Western European economies. Reflecting the anemic economic conditions of Europe, GDP growth dropped in 2001 to about 0.8%, to 0.2% in 2002, and to -0.3% in 2003, with a small rise to 1.8% in 2004. Even so, unemployment has remained at less than half the EU average.

CAUTION:  The following links and accompanying text have been culled from the web to illuminate the situation in Switzerland. Some of these links may lead to websites that present allegations that are unsubstantiated or even false.  No attempt has been made to validate their authenticity or to verify their content.

Bur of Democracy, Human Rights & Labor - Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2005

CHILDREN - The government has no special programs for children, and there is no special governmental office for children's matters; however, the government was strongly committed to children's rights and welfare. It amply funded a system of public education and need-based subsidies of health insurance.

Education was free and compulsory for 9 years, from age 6 or 7 through age 16 or 17, depending on the canton. Some cantons offered a 10th school year. Almost all children attended school. Almost 60 percent completed professional vocational or technical training with another 30 percent continuing to earn higher-level specialized or university degrees.

Concluding Observations of the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) - 2002

[54] While noting the current policy of the State party to prevent and fight drug use by adolescents, the Committee is concerned at the increasing use and sale of illegal drugs among adolescents.

[59] The Committee is concerned at the lack of information on Roma and travelers and their children in the State party and that there is no policy for these children.

Street Children & Homeless Juveniles in Switzerland? - Pilot Study in the City of Zürich

The project investigates "street children" and homeless marginalized youth, their problems and coping strategies in Zürich.

Country's Tradition Includes Concern For Humanity

"Nobody thinks there are street children in Switzerland but there are in a few cities." There were also beggars, "but we have to be careful, they are very rich beggars."

Lions Clubs International (LCIF) Releases Annual Report

42-YOUTH RELATED GRANTS - The grants ranged from US$100,000 to expand a Lions-Quest program in Singapore and US$75,000 for a mobile clinic for street children in Switzerland to US$75,000 to build a primary school in Turkey and US$55,491 to construct a children's home in Russia.

Friends-International: The Street Children Network - Swiss Samlanh

ACTIVITIES: ADVOCACY: Swiss Samlanh is publicizing the issues surrounding street children in Switzerland. Various media are being used such as public workshops and photo exhibitions.

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Human Trafficking in [Switzerland] [other countries]
Street Children in [Switzerland] [other countries]
Child Prostitution in [Switzerland] [other countries]