Remarks as delivered: I will go through the protocol but let me just say I, I am particularly honored and touched to be in the presence of Holocaust survivors and also their descendants who’ve shared such incredible stories. Tonight, it is a pleasure to be able to speak with you. On behalf of the Mission …
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By U.S. Mission Switzerland | 27 January, 2023 | Topics: Deputy Chief of Mission, Fundamental Freedoms, Human Rights, News, Speeches
Remarks by Ambassador Scott C. Miller Schaan, Liechtenstein June 11, 2022 Happy Pride everyone! Apologies for me having to speak in English. So, thank you for your patience. This is my first Pride this month and I can’t think of a more exciting opportunity than to celebrate it in Liechtenstein on your very first Pride. …
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By U.S. Mission Switzerland | 14 June, 2022 | Topics: Ambassador, Culture, Events, Gender Issues, Human Rights, Liechtenstein
Return to U.S. Embassy in Ukraine Website Last Updated: 06-Apr-2022 Information for U.S. Citizens coming from Ukraine: Ukraine Crisis (state.gov) HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE If you are seeking information about immediate humanitarian assistance in Switzerland or Liechtenstein: Almost all refugee cases in countries abroad are processed by local authorities, in this case the government of Switzerland or Liechtenstein. Ukrainians should not contact the authorities of the United …
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By U.S. Mission Switzerland | 10 March, 2022 | Topics: Business, Consul General, Consular Affairs, embassy, Emergency Services, Europe & Eurasia, Family Immigration, Fundamental Freedoms, Health Issues, Human Rights, Immigrant Visas, Key Documents, Liechtenstein, News, Non Immigrant Visas, Political Affairs, Sections & Offices, Security & Emergency Messages, Travel & Tourism, TTIP, U.S. & Switzerland, U.S. Citizen Services, Visas | Tags: Ukraine
Hello. I’m Eva Weigold Schultz, Chargé d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Bern. March 8 is International Women’s Day, a time to reflect on the contributions of women everywhere to advancing peace, prosperity, and security. March is also Women’s History Month in the United States, where we celebrate women who have shaped the course …
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By U.S. Mission Switzerland | 9 March, 2021 | Topics: Chargé D’Affaires, Culture, Human Rights, News | Tags: International Womens Day
To celebrate Black History Month and this year’s topic of “The Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity,” members of the Embassy are reading their favourite, family-related poem by an African American author. Langston Hughes: “Mother to Son” Lucille Clifton: “won’t you celebrate with me” We are using the poem, which was published in The Book …
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By U.S. Mission Switzerland | 17 February, 2021 | Topics: Art & Culture, Culture, embassy, Human Rights, News | Tags: Black History Month
Black women in the arts have long formed the backbone of America’s cultural landscape. As Americans were reminded at President Biden’s inauguration, young Black artists such as poet Amanda Gorman are emerging and sharing their vision for the future with the world. For Black History Month , we look at past and present defining figures in music, literature and the …
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By U.S. Mission Switzerland | 16 February, 2021 | Topics: Art & Culture, Culture, Human Rights | Tags: Black History Month
December 3rd is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) 2020, a day to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all spheres of society. US Embassy Bern has a long-standing relationship with the ETH in Zurich and is pleased to see US competitors enter the university’s annual international Cybathlon competition, …
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By U.S. Mission Switzerland | 1 December, 2020 | Topics: Human Rights, News, Science & Tech | Tags: Cybathlon, ETH Zurich, International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD)
Thank you to the Swiss Department of Foreign Affairs for helping President Donald J. Trump deliver on his commitment to bringing all Americans home, and for their extraordinary service for the last 40 years as our Protecting Power in Iran. Ambassador McMullen was honored to present the American flag to freed U.S. prisoner Michael White, who has …
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By U.S. Mission Switzerland | 28 May, 2020 | Topics: Human Rights, Political Affairs, U.S. & Switzerland | Tags: Release of Michael White
In June 2016, Christian Hirsig travelled to the United States as a participant in the Young Transatlantic Leaders Initiative (YTILI), where he visited Washington, DC, Pittsburgh, and San Francisco with other innovators from Europe. During a discussion at Google, he was inspired by two panelists, both of whom were European entrepreneurs. One started a catering …
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By U.S. Mission Switzerland | 23 April, 2019 | Topics: embassy, Human Rights, News, Scholarships and Exchanges, Science & Tech | Tags: Powercoders, Young Transatlantic Innovation Leaders Initiative, YTILI
This year marks the 43rd year the Department of State has produced annual Human Rights Reports. The United States Congress mandated these reports to provide policymakers with a holistic and accurate accounting of human rights conditions in nearly 200 countries and territories worldwide, including all member states of the United Nations and any country receiving …
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By U.S. Mission Switzerland | 14 March, 2019 | Topics: Human Rights, Liechtenstein, News, Policy, Reports | Tags: Human Rights Report 2018
In collaboration with the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Embassy in Bern has developed a two-week exchange program on Enhancing Health Care for Immigrant and Refugee Populations. Five experts from the Swiss health sector participated in the program. The core topics of the exchange were migrant health, mental health, and health literacy. On 27 …
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By U.S. Mission Switzerland | 23 January, 2019 | Topics: Health Issues, Human Rights, News, Public Affairs, Scholarships and Exchanges | Tags: Exchange, Health care, Immigrants, Minorities, MOIP
The U.S. Embassy Bern was happy to host the American violinist Gaelynn Lea from June 12 until June 21, 2018. She visited Switzerland as part of the State Department’s Arts Envoy Program. During her stay, Gaelynn met with several high school classes from Bern and Aargau and more than 100 students from the International School …
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By U.S. Mission Switzerland | 27 June, 2018 | Topics: Art & Culture, Culture, embassy, Events, Human Rights, News | Tags: Arts Envoy, Gaelynn Lea
Press Statement by Secretary of State Pompeo Washington, DC June 1, 2018 The United States joins people around the world in celebrating Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Intersex (LGBTI) Pride Month, and reaffirms its commitment to protecting and defending the human rights of all, including LGBTI persons. In many parts of the world, LGBTI individuals and their …
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By U.S. Mission Switzerland | 4 June, 2018 | Topics: Former U.S. Government Leaders, Gender Issues, Human Rights | Tags: LGBTI
On May 29, 2018 the U.S. Department of State released the International Religious Freedom Annual Report 2017 , which provides details on the status of religious freedom in various countries and territories. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called religious freedom “a right belonging to every individual on the globe” and said the U.S. “stands with those who yearn for religious liberty.” At the …
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By U.S. Mission Switzerland | 30 May, 2018 | Topics: Human Rights, Liechtenstein, News, Reports | Tags: Religious Freedom Report
The United States stands for the protection of fundamental freedoms and universal human rights. Our nation was founded on the bedrock principle that we are all created equal – and that every person is entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Around the world, far too many governments continue to arrest and abuse …
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By U.S. Mission Switzerland | 18 May, 2018 | Topics: Former U.S. Government Leaders, Fundamental Freedoms, Gender Issues, Human Rights, Press Releases | Tags: Human Rights, LGBT
On invitation by the U.S. Embassy in Bern, U.S. Youth Observer to the UN, Munira Khalif gave talks at two high schools in Bern and participated in a round table discussion with 15 young people. The topic of her talks and discussion was the importance of making education and schooling accessible to everyone, and especially …
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By U.S. Mission Switzerland | 22 March, 2018 | Topics: embassy, Human Rights, News, Speakers Program | Tags: Munira Khalif, U.S. Youth Observer to the UN
Ambassador McMullen is proud to commemorate Martin Luther King Day, which marks Dr. King’s birthday, and highlights the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. King’s inspiring words and actions in his fight for civil rights still resonate today. Martin Luther King, Jr. is an important figure in American history and culture. I grew up appreciating …
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By U.S. Mission Switzerland | 15 January, 2018 | Topics: embassy, Human Rights | Tags: Martin Luther King, MLK
International Day of Persons with Disabilities is annually held on December 3. The United Nations General Assembly resolution 47/3 proclaimed the annual observance of this Day in 1992. It aims to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all spheres of society and development, and to increase awareness about the situation of persons with …
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By U.S. Mission Switzerland | 29 November, 2017 | Topics: embassy, Human Rights, News, Public Affairs, U.S. & Switzerland | Tags: Equal Rights, IVLP, Persons with Disabilities
U.S. Embassy Bern hosted human trafficking and forced labor expert, Ima Matul, for a three-day program. As a member of the U.S. Advisory Council on Human Trafficking and Survivor Coordinator for the Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking (CAST) in Los Angeles, Ima Matul worked to raise awareness on the growing incidence of human trafficking …
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By U.S. Mission Switzerland | 7 November, 2017 | Topics: Human Rights, News, Speakers Program | Tags: Forced Labor, Human Trafficking, Ima Mutal
Ima Matul will be in Switzerland in October 2017 on the invitation by the U.S. Embassy in Bern for several speaking engagements. Ima Matul is member of the U.S. Advisory Council on Human Trafficking and is the Survivor Coordinator for the Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking (CAST) in Los Angeles. Her visit takes place …
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By U.S. Mission Switzerland | 10 October, 2017 | Topics: Human Rights, News | Tags: Ima Matul
On a sunny Saturday afternoon, staff from U.S. Embassy Bern joined the Bern Ouest Pride march. Six sections representing the colors of the rainbow kicked off the march from different parts of the city, coming together at the Bundesplatz. Embassy staff and family members walked along the orange route whose theme was “The Power of …
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By U.S. Mission Switzerland | 29 August, 2017 | Topics: Culture, embassy, Human Rights, News | Tags: Pride Ouest Bern
On August 15, 2017 the U.S. Department of State released the International Religious Freedom Annual Report 2016 , which provides details on the status of religious freedom in 199 countries and territories. In his remarks on the release of the report, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said: “No one should have to live in fear, worship in secret, or face discrimination …
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By U.S. Mission Switzerland | 16 August, 2017 | Topics: Human Rights, News, Reports | Tags: Liechtenstein, Religious Freedom, Report, Switzerland
U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will unveil the 2017 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report at 10:30 a.m. (Switzerland 16:30 h) on June 27, 2017, at the U.S. Department of State and will be joined by Advisor to the President Ivanka Trump. As required by the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, the TIP Report assesses government …
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By U.S. Mission Switzerland | 27 June, 2017 | Topics: Former U.S. Government Leaders, Human Rights, News, Reports | Tags: Rex Tillerson, Trafficking in Persons Report
Promoting human rights and democratic governance is a core element of U.S. foreign policy. These values form an essential foundation of stable, secure, and functioning societies. Standing up for human rights and democracy is not just a moral imperative but is in the best interests of the United States in making the world more stable …
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By U.S. Mission Switzerland | 6 March, 2017 | Topics: Human Rights, Reports
On August 10 the U.S. State Department released the International Religious Freedom Report 2015 (PDF 63 KB). At the event unveiling the report, Deputy Secretary Anthony Blinken said, “When a government denies religious liberty, it turns citizens who have done nothing wrong into criminals, igniting tension that breeds contempt, hopelessness, alienation.” Switzerland Report (PDF 77 KB) and Liechtenstein Report (PDF 57 KB).
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By U.S. Mission Switzerland | 17 August, 2016 | Topics: Human Rights, News, Reports | Tags: Liechtenstein, Religious Freedom, Report, State Department, Switzerland
Thank you Zurich Pride for the invitation to be here today to address this amazing group! In the fall of 1995, I moved in with Eric LeVine. We were 26 years old, unmarried and happy as could be – especially since he was (and is) a great cook and I am a great eater! By …
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By U.S. Mission Switzerland | 11 June, 2016 | Topics: Former U.S. Ambassadors, Gender Issues, Human Rights | Tags: LeVine, LeVine speeches, Zurich Pride
On June 11, Ambassador LeVine, along with her husband Eric, led a delegation of diplomatic representatives in the Zurich Pride march. Before the march kicked off, Ambassador LeVine delivered opening remarks , addressed this year’s Pride theme – TeamForLove — focusing on the love that binds all families together regardless of the parents’ sexual orientation. She …
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By U.S. Mission Switzerland | 11 June, 2016 | Topics: Events, Former U.S. Ambassadors, Human Rights | Tags: Human Rights, LeVine, LGBT, Zurich, Zurich Pride