Australia Rejects Proposal to Recognise Aboriginal People in Constitution

THE OBSERVER: Voice to parliament referendum fails in defeat that Indigenous advocates will see as a blow to progress towards reconciliation

Australians have resoundingly rejected a proposal to recognise Aboriginal people in the country’s constitution and establish a body to advise parliament on Indigenous issues.

Saturday’s voice to parliament referendum failed, with the defeat clear shortly after polls closed.

To succeed, the yes campaign – advocating for the voice – needed to secure a double majority, meaning it needed both a majority of the national vote, as well as majorities in four of Australia’s six states.

The defeat will be seen by Indigenous advocates as a blow to what has been a hard fought struggle to progress reconciliation and recognition in modern Australia, with First Nations people continuing to suffer discrimination, poorer health and economic outcomes.

More than 17 million Australians were enrolled for the compulsory vote, with many expats visiting embassies around the world in the weeks leading up to Saturday’s poll.

The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, called for Australians to show “kindness” to each other after the referendum. (+ video) » | Elias Visontay | Saturday, October 4, 2023

Albanese wanted to end two centuries of silence, but we said no – and failed our First Nations people: The prime minister thought that with the voice he could bend the country towards progress without breaking it. Peter Dutton made sure he couldn’t »

Australian voice referendum live results »

Swiss Approve Tobacco Ad Ban Long after Neighbours

BBC: Swiss voters have backed a ban on tobacco advertising anywhere young people might see it.

In effect, the Yes vote in the nationwide referendum will lead to a complete ban.

The move will bring Switzerland into line with its European neighbours, most of whom adopted strict rules on tobacco advertising years ago.

Despite its healthy, environmentally friendly image, Switzerland has the most lax rules on tobacco in Europe. » | Imogen Foulkes, BBC News, Bern | Sunday, February 13, 2022

Related.

Deutliches Ja: Volk nimmt Tabakinitiative mit 56,6 Prozent an: Das Schlussresultat liegt vor: Das Werbeverbot für Tabak zum Schutz von Kindern und Jugendlichen wurde angenommen. »

Swiss Vote on Tobacco Ad Ban Long after Neighbours

No-campaign posters have sprung up warning: "Today tobacco, tomorrow sausages?" | REUTERS
BBC: Swiss voters go to the polls on Sunday to decide on a raft of measures, including a ban on tobacco advertising anywhere young people might see it.

In effect it would be a complete ban.

That might cause some raised eyebrows among Switzerland's European neighbours, most of whom adopted strict rules on tobacco advertising years ago.

But Switzerland, despite its healthy, environmentally friendly image, has the most lax regulations on tobacco in Europe.

Long after smoking in pubs and restaurants was outlawed in the UK, France, or Germany, the Swiss were still puffing away.

Supermarket shoppers would be regularly approached by smiling young women giving away free samples of the latest cigarette brand. And while those things have now been banned, tobacco advertising remains.

The World Health Organization's historic Framework Convention on Tobacco Control was negotiated in Geneva almost 20 years ago.

Switzerland signed it, but still hasn't ratified it - the only country in Europe not to - because its legislation on advertising is not compliant. » | Imogen Foulkes, BBC News, Bern | Sunday, February 13, 2022

Smoking surge in young during Covid lockdown: England saw a rise in young adults taking up smoking during the first lockdown, according to a study. »

Schweiz : Ehe für alle

Volksabstimmung vom 26. September 2021

Swiss Vote Overwhelmingly for Same-sex Marriage, According to Poll

THE GUARDIAN: Projection indicates clear backing in Sunday’s referendum for ‘Marriage for All’ proposal

Posters of rival political parties and associations in Perly, near Geneva. Switzerland has authorised same-sex civil partnerships since 2007. Photograph: Salvatore Di Nolfi/EPA
Swiss voters appear to have decided by a clear margin to allow same-sex couples to marry, according to a projection after a national referendum on Sunday.

The projection, by the gfs.bern polling agency for Switzerland’s public broadcasters, showed the measure passing by 64% to 36%.

Switzerland’s parliament and the governing federal council supported the “Marriage for All” measure, and pre-referendum polls showed solid backing. Switzerland has authorised same-sex civil partnerships since 2007.

Supporters said the proposal would put same-sex partners on an equal legal footing with heterosexual couples, by allowing them to adopt children together and facilitating citizenship for same-sex spouses. It would also permit lesbian couples to use regulated sperm donation. » | Associated Press in Geneva | Sunday, September 26, 2021

More on this referendum in both English and French here.

Switzerland Holding Referendum on Same-sex Marriage

BBC: People in Switzerland are voting to decide whether to allow same-sex marriage. Switzerland is one of the last countries in western Europe not to recognise same-sex marriage, and supporters say the change in the law is long overdue.

But there is opposition from some church groups and right wing political parties, who claim it would undermine the traditional family.

Producer: Imogen Foulkes


À LIRE AUSSI :

Mariage pour tous : les Suisses appelés à voter ce dimanche »

Defying Madrid: Catalonia's Independence Referendum

Inside Story - How Will Spain Deal with Catalonia's Separatist Campaign?

'Illegal' and 'irresponsible'. Those are the words of the Spanish Deputy Prime Minister who condemned Catalonia's leaders for Sunday's controversial secession referendum. Tens of thousands of Catalans turned out to vote. That led to violent scenes in some parts of Barcelona, when Spanish national police - sent from outside the region - tried to shut down polling stations and confiscate ballots.

In Madrid, the central government said police acted with 'professionalism' and in a 'proportionate way'. So, what does the future hold for Catalonia and Spain?

Presenter: Elizabeth Puranam | Guests: Enric Martinez-Herrera - Political Analyst; Luke Stobart - Barcelona based writer

Catalonia Referendum: Local Catalan Police Clash with Guardia Civil

Turkey Referendum: First Results Show 'Yes' Vote Ahead

Turkey referendum: Initial results from the Turkey referendum on constitutional change indicate that the 'yes' vote is ahead. If enough people vote yes, the country's parliamentary democracy would change to a more powerful presidency. Al Jazeera's Bernard Smith reports from Istanbul.

Day of Reckoning: How Will Erdogan's Referendum Reshape Turkey? (Parts 1 & 2)

Is Turkey On the Road to Autocracy? – Video Explainer

President Erdoğan is set to benefit from sweeping new powers over parliament and the judiciary if Turkish voters support his constitutional reforms in this Sunday’s referendum. But with a heavy crackdown on opponents and the press, many of his critics fear the country is on a path to autocracy

EU Citizens in the UK: Difficulty in Obtaining British Citizenship

Prof. Emmy van Deurzen tells the story her obtaining British citizenship after living and working in the UK for forty years. She had to battle against a confused system, but ultimately, with the help of her mp achieved her goal.

EU Citizens in the UK

Emmy van Deurzen speaks about the impact of the referendum on EU citizens in the UK.

Will the Turkish Referendum Row Escalate? – Inside Story

Italy: PM Renzi to Resign after Crushing Referendum Defeat

Inside Story - Will Italians Vote Yes or No for Constitutional Reforms?

Referendum on Sunday deciding whether or nor not to strengthen central government and weaken the old political guard.

Hungary Votes on Whether or Not to Accept Refugees

Hungary held a referendum on whether or not to accept the EU's planned mandatory refugee redistribution quota.

Hungarians Vote Against Migrant Quotas | DW News

Hungarian voters have almost unanimously rejected EU quotas for resettling refugees. But low turnout rendered the referendum invalid. Nonetheless, Prime Minister Viktor Orban hailed the outcome as "outstanding."

Anne Will: Ungarn will keine Muslime - Wird Islamfeindlichkeit salonfähig? | 02.10.2016

Anne Will, Sendung in HD vom 2.10.2016 in der ARD: Trotz des gescheiterten Referendums über die weitere Aufnahme von Flüchtlingen will der ungarische Regierungschef Viktor Orbán seinen Kurs fortsetzen. Der richtet sich vor allem gegen die Aufnahme von Muslimen. Wird durch diese Politik Islamfeindlichkeit in Europa salonfähig? Und wer trägt Verantwortung für die europaweit zunehmende Ablehnung von Muslimen?