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The Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Council (APK-N) passed a corresponding motion with 11 votes in favour, 9 against and one abstention, the parliamentary services announced on Tuesday.
If both councils agree, the Federal Council must consistently expel from the country all foreign persons who, through prohibited intelligence activities, endanger Switzerland’s internal or external security or Switzerland’s role as a host country and who cannot be prosecuted.
Evictions are rare
According to the majority of the Commission, a banned news service not only endangers information and secrets of Switzerland, citizens and companies that potentially deserve protection, but also the freedom of expression and assembly of certain communities. This would jeopardize Switzerland’s reputation as a safe host country.
The minority of SVP and FDP committee members, on the other hand, support the current practice of the Federal Council. The expulsion or conviction of employees of foreign secret services is treated with restraint, as long as the espionage activities do not threaten Switzerland’s internal security.
War feeds the debate
According to the Federal Intelligence Service (NDB), Russian espionage activities in Switzerland have increased since the outbreak of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. Banned news service is a criminal offense in Switzerland. However, persons belonging to a diplomatic corps often invoke diplomatic immunity in connection with prohibited intelligence work.
The APK-N also rejected by 13 votes to 10 and 1 abstention a motion calling on Switzerland to join the G7’s “Russian Elites, Proxies and Oligarchs Task Force”. Like the Bundesrat, the majority is of the opinion that cooperation with the task force is progressing satisfactorily on a technical level and that accession would not bring any added value.
(SDA)
Source:Blick
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