National Council does not want stricter sanctions

The Grand Chamber voted no to a similar initiative by 103 votes to 86 and 3 abstentions. His Foreign Policy Committee (APK-N) submitted the motion in November with a narrow majority and 6 abstentions. In the council, the negative bourgeois factions against SP, Groenen and GLP prevailed. The issue is off the table.

The majority of the Commission would have wanted the Federal Council to close loopholes to circumvent sanctions imposed under the embargo law. So-called “ring fencing” should no longer be used to evade sanctions.

Under this method, according to the text of the motion, no dividends or other distributions are made to a beneficiary during the sanctions period and therefore that person is not affected by the sanctions. According to the majority of the APK-N, this is unacceptable because it only postpones the payment of the profit.

Sanctions would already work

SVP National Council member Yves Nidegger (65) argued on behalf of the minority of the Commission for a no and for sticking to the current legal framework. The purpose of sanctions is to deprive a state that violates international law of the resources for this war with a war.

The Federal Council also expressed its rejection. The sanctions have worked, says Economy Minister Guy Parmelin (63). From an international perspective, Switzerland is in a very good position when it comes to implementing the measures. Ring fencing allows non-sanctioned businesses to continue operating and is not intended to circumvent sanctions.

So far, 21 proceedings have been opened

Since the beginning of March 2022, 21 administrative criminal proceedings have been opened for violating the provisions of the regulations related to the situation in Ukraine, Parmelin said. According to the State Secretariat of Economic Affairs (Seco), goods sanctions have been affected.

In one case, the Seco asked the federal prosecutor’s office to investigate. According to the Seco, a fine and nine hire orders are now legally binding. The federal government has not provided any further information on the subject of the proceedings. (SDA)

Source:Blick