THE NEW YORK TIMES: A Swiss criminal court handed prison sentences to members of the Hinduja family for exploiting domestic workers at their villa in Geneva.
A Swiss court on Friday found members of Britain’s wealthiest family guilty of exploiting domestic workers at a luxury villa in Geneva, but acquitted them of the more serious charge of human trafficking.
Prosecutors had charged four members of the family — Prakash Hinduja; his wife, Kamal Hinduja; their son Ajay Hinduja; and their daughter-in-law Namrata Hinduja — with trafficking and exploiting several workers from India.
They were accused of confiscating the employees’ passports and forcing them to work 16 hours a day or longer without overtime pay in the villa. Lawyers representing the Hindujas had denied the allegations.
The court on Friday sentenced Prakash and Kamal Hinduja to four years and six months in prison, and Ajay and Namrata Hinduja to four years, according to news agencies. It also ordered them to pay about $950,000 in compensation, as well as about $300,000 in procedural fees. Najib Ziazi, a business adviser for the family who also faced charges, was found complicit in the exploitation. » | Isabella Kwai, Reporting from London | Friday, June 21, 2024
Related article here.
Showing posts with label Geneva. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Geneva. Show all posts
Saturday, June 22, 2024
Wednesday, September 30, 2020
Geneva to Raise Minimum Wage to £3,500 a Month
THE GUARDIAN: Voters back increase amid reports of growing poverty linked to Covid-19 pandemic
Geneva is to raise its minimum wage to almost £3,500 a month, reported to be the highest in the world, after locals approved the measure in a surprise vote result sparked by reports of growing coronavirus-linked poverty in the Swiss city.
The canton’s 500,000 voters passed the increase proposed by local unions and leftwing parties, after twice rejecting it in 2011 and 2014.
The minimum hourly wage will rise to just under £19.50 an hour, more than twice the rate in neighbouring France, with a guaranteed minimum monthly salary of 4,086 Swiss francs (£3,457) based on a 41-hour working week, or 49,000 Swiss francs (£41,430) a year, in one of the world’s most expensive cities to live. » | Kim Willsher in Paris | Wednesday, September 30, 2020
Geneva is to raise its minimum wage to almost £3,500 a month, reported to be the highest in the world, after locals approved the measure in a surprise vote result sparked by reports of growing coronavirus-linked poverty in the Swiss city.
The canton’s 500,000 voters passed the increase proposed by local unions and leftwing parties, after twice rejecting it in 2011 and 2014.
The minimum hourly wage will rise to just under £19.50 an hour, more than twice the rate in neighbouring France, with a guaranteed minimum monthly salary of 4,086 Swiss francs (£3,457) based on a 41-hour working week, or 49,000 Swiss francs (£41,430) a year, in one of the world’s most expensive cities to live. » | Kim Willsher in Paris | Wednesday, September 30, 2020
Sunday, March 15, 2015
ISIL: Force May Be Necessary Says Vatican Ambassador to Geneva
The Vatican's ambassador in Geneva has said the use of force will be necessary to protect minority groups from Islamic State aggression if a political solution cannot be achieved.
In an interview with U.S. Catholic website Crux, Archbishop Silvano Tomasi said the jihadists, who have declared a cross-border caliphate after seizing land in eastern Syria and northern Iraq, were committing "genocide" and must be stopped.
"What's needed is a coordinated and well-thought-out coalition to do everything possible to achieve a political settlement without violence," Crux quoted Tomasi as saying on Friday, "but if that's not possible, then the use of force will be necessary." » | Reuters | Sunday, March 15, 2015
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Iranian Foreign Minster Warns Geneva Nuclear Deal Is 'Dead' If US Passes New Sanctions
Iran's foreign minister has warned that the historic nuclear deal agreed in Geneva will be "dead" if the US Congress moves ahead with threats to pass new sanctions.
Javad Zarif told Time that any new sanctions would show a "lack of seriousness" by the US, breaching the terms of last month's interim deal and scuppering hopes for a comprehensive agreement on Iran's nuclear deal.
His intervention comes as the White House fights to stop the Senate from passing fresh sanctions designed to kick in if no final deal is reached or Iran breaches the terms of the Geneva accord.
John Kerry, the US secretary of state, will appear before Congress on Tuesday and argue that any sanctions would undermine the delicate diplomatic progress made in recent months.
Mr Zarif, his Iranian counter-part, echoed that argument when asked how Tehran would respond to new American sanctions.
"The entire deal is dead," he said. "We do not like to negotiate under duress." » | Raf Sanchez, Washington | Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Sunday, November 24, 2013
Nuclear Deal with Iran a 'Historic Mistake', Benjamin Netanyahu Says
Israel's political establishment arose in unison on Sunday to denounce as inadequate an interim agreement hammered out with Iran to rein in its nuclear programme.
Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, led the chorus of indignation, calling the deal struck in Geneva between Iran and the so-called P5 plus one – the US, Britain, France, Russia, China and Germany – "a historic mistake".
"What was achieved last night in Geneva is not a historic agreement; it is a historic mistake," he told Sunday's weekly cabinet meeting "Today the world has become a much more dangerous place because the most dangerous regime in the world has taken a significant step toward attaining the most dangerous weapon in the world.
Condemning the six powers for "ignoring the UN Security Council decisions that they themselves led", he added: "This agreement and what it means endanger many countries including, of course, Israel. Israel is not bound by this agreement. The Iranian regime is committed to the destruction of Israel and Israel has the right and the obligation to defend itself, by itself, against any threat.
Mr Netanyahu's comments came after a procession of ministers and senior officials had earlier taken aim at a "bad deal" which they said effectively left Iran as a nuclear threshold state.
In the most graphic criticism, Naftali Bennett, the trade and industry minister and leader of the far-Right Jewish Home party, warned that it could be the precursor to a nuclear "suitcase bomb" attack on a major Western city. » | Robert Tait, Jerusalem | Sunday, November 24, 2013
Iran Nuclear Deal Agreed at Geneva Talks
Israel: FM Slams Deal with Iran: 'We're Entering New Era'
After weeks of an intensive campaign to dissuade Western powers from striking a deal with Iran failed to yield a result as world powers reached an agreement Sunday, Israel remains on the offensive.
Sunday morning, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said "there is no achievement in the is agreement. This is the biggest diplomatic victory Iran has known in recent years – since the Khameini regime (came to power)." When asked if the deal contains any positive aspect, Lieberman replied "no, there is no such thing."
The tone was echoed by a government spokesperson who said "This is a bad deal. It gives Iran exactly what it wanted – a significant reduction of sanctions while preserving the most significant part of its nuclear program," a official from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said.
"Israel does not see itself as bound by this bad, this very bad agreement that has been signed," Economy Minister Naftali Bennett added. » | Attila Somfalvi | Sunday, November 24, 2013
Accord Reached With Iran to Halt Nuclear Program
It was the first time in nearly a decade, American officials said, that an international agreement had been reached to halt much of Iran’s nuclear program and roll some elements of it back.
The aim of the accord, which is to last six months, is to give international negotiators time to pursue a more comprehensive pact that would ratchet back much of Iran’s nuclear program and ensure that it could be used only for peaceful purposes.
Shortly after the agreement was signed at 3 a.m. in the Palace of Nations in Geneva, President Obama, speaking from the State Dining Room in the White House, hailed it as the most “significant and tangible” progress of a diplomatic campaign that began when he took office.
“Today, that diplomacy opened up a new path toward a world that is more secure,” he said, “a future in which we can verify that Iran’s nuclear program is peaceful and that it cannot build a nuclear weapon.” » | Michael R. Gordon | Saturday, November 23, 2013
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Iran Impasse: French Reluctance Causes Nuclear Talks to Stall
Saturday, November 09, 2013
William Hague Pledges to "Seize the Moment" at Iran Nuclear Talks - But France Warns of "Sucker's Deal"
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| Fabius: French Foreign Minister | Hague: British Foreign Secretary |
William Hague praised Iran's representatives for adopting a "completely different" approach at the negotiations in Geneva, but cautioned against expecting an imminent deal.
Speaking on Saturday as the talks continued for an unplanned third day, the Foreign Secretary pledged to "seize the moment and seize the opportunity to reach a deal that has eluded the world".
He told journalists that "good progress" had been made - but there was no deadline for signing an agreement and it may not be possible on Saturday. If necessary, the six world powers who negotiate with Iran on the nuclear issue could reconvene at a later date.
Mr Hague acknowledged that a "wide number of issues have been satisfactorily addressed" and the "atmosphere is completely different".
Laurent Fabius, the French foreign minister, was more cautious than his British counterpart, telling a radio station there was "no certainty" of agreement and warning against a "sucker's deal". Mr Fabius added: "There is an initial draft that we do not accept." » | David Blair, Saturday, November 09, 2013
Friday, November 08, 2013
Iran Nuclear Talks: Benjamin Netanyahu Lashes Out Against Deal
Thursday, November 07, 2013
US Offers Short-term Nuclear Deal Allowing Iran to Continue Enriching Uranium
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| Catherine Ashton and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif |
America has proposed a short-term nuclear agreement with Iran at a meeting in Geneva which would allow Tehran to continue enriching uranium at low levels, according to an aide briefed on the talks.
The goal is to freeze Iran’s nuclear programme for perhaps six months in order to create a breathing space for a comprehensive agreement to be negotiated.
Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, warned on Thursday that any deal which failed to stop Iran from enriching uranium would be a “mistake of historic proportions”.
Western diplomats and US officials have refused to disclose any details of a “first step agreement”. But a Senate aide, citing briefings from the White House, the State Department and sources in Geneva, said he understood that it would include four key points. » | Peter Foster in Washington, and David Blair | Thursday, November 07, 2013
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Inside Story: Iran: Breaking the Nuclear Deadlock?
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Iran and World Powers Begin Nuclear Talks
Saturday, September 14, 2013
US and Russia Agree Syria Arms Deal in Geneva
US Secretary of State John Kerry outlined a six-point framework under which Syria must hand over a full list of its stockpile within a week.
If Syria fails to comply, the deal could be enforced by a UN resolution backed by the threat of sanctions or military force.
The US says the Syrian regime killed hundreds in a gas attack last month.
The government of Bashar al-Assad denies the allegations and has accused the rebels of carrying out the attack. (+ video) » | Saturday, September 14, 2013
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Geneva Set for Syria Disarmament Talks
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Monday, September 19, 2011
Belhassen Trabelsi, le beau-frère du président déchu tunisien Ben Ali, dispose d'un compte à la HSBC Private Bank installée à Genève. La coquette somme de 11 millions de francs dort ainsi sur les bords du Léman, informe la TSR. Cela malgré la loi sur le blanchiment d'argent et l'ordonnance délivrée par le Conseil fédéral au lendemain de la chute de Ben Ali. Celle-ci a demandé aux banques de geler immédiatement les fonds de 40 personnalités tunisiennes, dont ceux de l'intéressé. » | Anne-Elisabeth Celton | Lundi 19 Septembre 2011
Monday, February 28, 2011
AL JAZEERA ENGLISH: US secretary of state says Gaddafi's government must be held to account as EU approves new sanctions against Libya.Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of state, has said the government of Muammar Gaddafi must be held to account over atrocities committed in Libya as she reiterated calls for the leader to step down.
Speaking at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, on Monday, Clinton said Gaddafi must leave power "now, without further violence or delay". "Gaddafi and those around him must be held accountable for these acts, which violate international legal obligations and common decency," she said.
"We have seen Colonel Gaddafi's security forces open fire on peaceful protesters. They have used heavy weapons on unarmed civilians. Mercenaries and thugs have been turned loose to attack demonstrators." Clinton said Washington was keeping "all options on the table" in terms of action against the government, and that a no-fly zone was "an option we are actively considering".
She also said two US humanitarian teams are being sent to Libya's borders with Egypt and Tunisia to provide aid to refugees fleeing the country.
Meanwhile, a Pentagon official said the US military was repositioning naval and air forces around Libya. >>> Al Jazeera and agencies | Monday, February 28, 2011
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
THE GUARDIAN: The Vatican has lashed out at criticism over its handling of its paedophilia crisis by saying the Catholic church was "busy cleaning its own house" and that the problems with clerical sex abuse in other churches were as big, if not bigger.
In a defiant and provocative statement, issued following a meeting of the UN human rights council in Geneva, the Holy See said the majority of Catholic clergy who committed such acts were not paedophiles but homosexuals attracted to sex with adolescent males.
The statement, read out by Archbishop Silvano Tomasi, the Vatican's permanent observer to the UN, defended its record by claiming that "available research" showed that only 1.5%-5% of Catholic clergy were involved in child sex abuse.
He also quoted statistics from the Christian Scientist Monitor newspaper to show that most US churches being hit by child sex abuse allegations were Protestant and that sexual abuse within Jewish communities was common.
He added that sexual abuse was far more likely to be committed by family members, babysitters, friends, relatives or neighbours, and male children were quite often guilty of sexual molestation of other children.
Nor did The [sic] statement said [sic] that rather than paedophilia, it would "be more correct" to speak of ephebophilia, a homosexual attraction to adolescent males.
"Of all priests involved in the abuses, 80 to 90% belong to this sexual orientation minority which is sexually engaged with adolescent boys between the ages of 11 and 17."
The statement concluded: "As the Catholic church has been busy cleaning its own house, it would be good if other institutions and authorities, where the major part of abuses are reported, could do the same and inform the media about it."
The Holy See launched its counter–attack after an international representative of the International Humanist and Ethical Union, Keith Porteous Wood, accused it of covering up child abuse and being in breach of several articles under the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Porteous Wood said the Holy See had not contradicted any of his accusations. "The many thousands of victims of abuse deserve the international community to hold the Vatican to account, something it has been unwilling to do, so far. Both states and children's organisations must unite to pressurise the Vatican to open its files, change its procedures worldwide, and report suspected abusers to civil authorities."
Representatives from other religions were dismayed by the Holy See's attempts to distance itself from controversy by pointing the finger at other faiths. >>> Riazat Butt, religious affairs correspondent, and Anushka Asthana | Monday, September 28, 2009
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