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Parliament’s mandate has been fulfilled
At the start of the media conference, Beat Jans emphasized that the Federal Council fulfilled Parliament’s mandate by taking over the consultation. Last year, two identical motions were passed in the National Council and the Council of States calling for a ban on Hamas.
Press conference with federal councilor Beat Jans
The Federal Council wants to ban the Islamist-Palestinian organization Hamas for five years. He passed a corresponding bill to this end on Wednesday. Minister of Justice Beat Jans will explain the decision of the Federal Council in a press conference.
The Federal Council wants to ban the Islamist-Palestinian organization Hamas for five years. He sent a corresponding bill for consultation on Wednesday. Organizations linked to Hamas are also affected by the ban.
The Federal Council expects that the ban on the organization will have “a preventive and repressive effect”, as it wrote in a statement. The aim is to reduce the risk that Hamas and affiliated organizations will use Switzerland as a refuge. This should also reduce the terrorist threat in Switzerland.
In addition, law enforcement authorities would be able to more easily issue entry bans or deportations. And the ban allows authorities to take more targeted action against Hamas supporters. For financial intermediaries, the ban leads to more legal certainty in the fight against terrorist financing.
Fighters from the Islamist Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip, attacked Israel on October 7, killing nearly 1,200 people and kidnapping 250. The victims included two Swiss citizens.
Prison sentences of up to twenty years
In response to the attack, the Federal Council classified Hamas as a terrorist organization. This means that acts of support for Hamas are punishable by up to 10 years in prison and people who “have significant influence” in the organizations by up to 20 years.
Both the States and the National Council had called for a ban on Hamas during the winter session by accepting the motions of their security policy committees.
Both committees had alleged that Hamas had completely discredited itself as an interlocutor with its inhumane attack on Israel in early October. It can only be described as a ruthless terrorist organization. That is why a clear positioning of Switzerland is important.
Law limited to five years – extension possible
Because the ban would have far-reaching consequences for affected organizations, groups and people, the law is limited to five years, the Federal Council writes. However, Parliament could extend this period. This year the consultation will last until May 28.
The Islamic State and Al Qaeda are currently banned in Switzerland. Hamas, on the other hand, is not, since Switzerland is actually only allowed to ban those organizations that are also banned by the UN.
Blick will report live from the media conference at 2:45 PM.
Source:Blick
I am Liam Livingstone and I work in a news website. My main job is to write articles for the 24 Instant News. My specialty is covering politics and current affairs, which I’m passionate about. I have worked in this field for more than 5 years now and it’s been an amazing journey. With each passing day, my knowledge increases as well as my experience of the world we live in today.
