News

Despite all the urgent appeals from the international community, Russia has so far continued its invasion of Ukraine undeterred. Over half a million people are already fleeing to western Ukraine and neighbouring countries from places witnessing the fiercest fighting. Should the war continue for much longer, their number could soon be in the millions. For now, therefore, HEKS/EPER is providing humanitarian aid to the tune of 700,000 francs. 

The worst fears of global civil society have become brutal reality in recent hours. A war has broken out in the heart of Europe, with still no certainty at all as to the turn that things will take. HEKS/EPER condemns the Russian invasion and demands respect for international law.

New members, a new Director and a new Presidency – all signal the dawn of a new era in the 50-year history of Alliance Sud.

The merger of HEKS/EPER and «Bread for All» became legally valid on 22 November 2021 with the inscription of the new foundation in the commercial register.

The National Council today decided by a clear majority that it does not plan review tax exemption for charitable organisations in Switzerland. The rejection of the motion by FDP Councillor of State Ruedi Noser is good news for Swiss democracy.

The National Council this week went along with the decision of the Council of States and enshrined a travel ban for temporarily admitted persons in law through the amendment of the Foreign Nationals and Integration Act (FNA). HEKS/EPER regrets this decision, which could hold far-reaching implications for temporarily admitted persons.

A new report by EPER (former Bread for all), Alliance Sud and the German Network for Tax Justice on the tax strategy of agribusiness corporation Socfin reveals how multinational companies can shift profits from countries where they produce commodities in Africa and Asia to tax havens like Switzerland. These strategies are highly unjust, even if they may comply with OECD rules. Tax avoidance of this nature is tantamount to extracting profits at the expense of people in the countries of production.

HEKS/EPER supports the recommendations formulated in the report by former federal judge Niklaus Oberholzer on safety in Federal Asylum Centres (FACs), designed to prevent incidents of violence and ensure that such incidents can be better looked into.