National Council calls for approval of all EU sanctions against Iran This investigation among Russians shocked the client

The Federal Council must adopt the sanctions against Iran that the EU has issued since last autumn in connection with human rights violations in the country. The National Council demands this with a motion from its Committee on Foreign Affairs (APK-N).

The motion also requires the Federal Council to take steps to support Iranian civil society in the fight for human and women’s rights. The National Council passed the motion on Thursday with 105 votes in favour, 65 against and 4 abstentions, against the wishes of the Federal Council. It now goes to the Council of States.

The human rights situation in Iran is dramatic, says Fabian Molina (SP/ZH) on behalf of the APK-N. Since the death of a young Iranian-Kurdish woman in September 2022, the country has experienced an unprecedented protest movement. The EU has imposed additional sanctions on Iran and has tightened them several times.

Think about specifics

Yves Nidegger (SVP/GE) requested rejection. Switzerland has autonomously joined sanctions against Iran, but not all of them. He wondered whether it was necessary to howl with the wolves or whether Switzerland should remember its idiosyncrasies.

The Federal Council rejected the motion. Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis recalled the human rights dialogue with Tehran and Switzerland’s good access to the authorities in Iran. Western states and the UN appreciated this. Because only a few could criticize Tehran as Switzerland can.

Switzerland has joined the UN sanctions against Iran and has also adopted more than 90 percent of the EU sanctions against the country, Cassis said.

However, the Bundesrat rejected the latest EU sanctions. Based on its protective power mandates and associated special role in relation to Iran, Switzerland can directly and credibly campaign for human rights and stability in the region, he wrote of the motion. This role should outweigh the possible effect of additional sanctions.

Also ask from Basel

In January, the Grand Council of Basel had already demanded in a resolution that the Federal Council approve the EU’s sanctions against Iran. The majority believed that Switzerland, the protecting power, should not hold back. It was said that every sign counted, even if it was just symbolic politics.

Nationwide protests erupted in Iran after the death of Iranian Kurd Jina Mahsa Amini in September 2022. The young woman died in police custody, after being arrested by the Morality Police on charges of violating Islamic dress codes.

Human rights activists say several hundred people have been killed and thousands of demonstrators arrested since the protests began. There were also death sentences against protesters.

At the start of the spring meeting, the National Council issued a statement calling for an “immediate cessation of state violence against demonstrators” in Iran. He also demanded the release of all political prisoners, the abolition of the death penalty and democratic elections. (sda/oee)