Sanctions against Iran rejected by the Council of States and the Federal Council Apple’s satellite service for the iPhone has started – what Swiss users need to know

Like the Federal Council, the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Council of States (APK-S) believes that Switzerland should not adopt EU sanctions against Iran. But NGOs must be supported.

The APK-S rejected the motion for a committee proposal to adopt sanctions against Iran by 8 to 5 votes, the parliamentary services announced on Friday. The majority therefore supports the considerations of the Bundesrat.

Nevertheless, according to the Council of States, Switzerland must act and send a signal against the suppression of demonstrations by the Iranian security forces. By 7 votes to 4, with 2 abstentions, she decided to move a motion in support of Iranian civil society. The next decision will be taken by the Council of States.

Specifically, the majority wants to support Iranian non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that deal with women’s and human rights. Financial measures are required “as far as reasonable and appropriate”.

Since 22-year-old Mahsa Amini was beaten to death by Iranian “moral police” in mid-October for improperly wearing her headscarf, tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets against the mullahs’ regime in all corners of Iran. Iranians of all social classes and ethnic backgrounds are calling for the end of the regime of religious leader Ali Khamenei.

The Islamic Republic has responded to the protests with physical violence. Dozens of protesters have already been killed by the police, army and Badjir militias, including children. Thousands were injured, abducted or assaulted.

(jam/sda)