Sunday’s vote was a surprise both domestically and internationally and left many Swiss concerned that the decision would make their country look intolerant.
“I hesitate to condemn a democratic vote,” UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said.
“But I have no hesitation at all in condemning the anti-foreigner scare-mongering that has characterised political campaigns in a number of countries, including Switzerland, which helps produce results like this.”
She went on to condemn the ban as “discriminatory and deeply divisive”.
(Published 01 December 2009, 16:55 IST)