“Incomprehensible”: Bundesrat must adopt EU sanctions against Iran Measures to contain bird flu are extended

There is great dissatisfaction in parliament about the attitude of the Federal Council towards the Iranian regime. The core of the criticism: the Federal Council’s decision in November 2022 not to adopt EU sanctions against those responsible for the violent repression of the protest movement in Iran.

After “weighing all of Switzerland’s domestic and foreign policy interests”, the Federal Council came to the conclusion that it would only accept EU sanctions related to the supply of Iranian drones to Russia. The sanctions falling under the so-called “thematic” EU sanctions regime for serious human rights violations were not adopted.

Two appearances by Swiss diplomats in headscarves along with Iranian officials have further intensified criticism of the Federal Council’s Iran policy. In a statement last week, the National Council condemned the violence in Iran and called on the Federal Council to take a more active role.

‘Switzerland contributes to security policy’

The subject came to the Council in the form of a motion on Thursday. The Federal Council has so far refused “to join European efforts to promote human rights and democracy”, criticized Fabian Molina (SP/ZH).

Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis (FDP) defended the line of the Bundesrat. He had unequivocally condemned the violence against demonstrators on several occasions. As one of the few Western countries, you can directly criticize Iranian government officials. “Swiss activities are expressly appreciated by Western countries and the UN,” says Cassis.

As part of the mutually protective power mandate for the US and Iran, Switzerland is making an important contribution to security policy in a deteriorating world situation “by preserving existing communication channels”.

Cassis’s explanation was not enough for a majority of the National Council. He voted 105 to 65 in favor of the motion, which calls for the Federal Council to give more active support to Iranian civil society and accept all EU sanctions. The motion now goes to the Council of States. Should it also exist there, the Bundesrat would have to draw up a corresponding draft for the attention of parliament.

Federal Council at odds with China

He should take his time. The reason for this: the fear of negative effects on economic relations with China. Because with the adoption of the EU human rights sanctions against Iran, the issue of sanctions against China will inevitably come into the picture.

Finally, almost two years ago, the EU also imposed sanctions on Chinese officials and companies working in the Uyghur province of Xinjiang under this sanctions regime. If Switzerland accepts these sanctions, “Sino-Swiss relations will suffer,” the Chinese ambassador in Bern threatened in November in an interview with the “NZZ am Sonntag”.

The Bundesrat knows that. He postpones the dossier on thematic EU sanctions, although the administration has had a basic memorandum on the legal consequences and the opportunities and risks since the summer of 2021. The issue has already been discussed twice in a meeting of the Federal Council. Result: In September 2022, it was decided to “deepen the relevant analysis” before making a decision. In December it was then said that “certain aspects should be further analyzed”. Affair a suivre. (aargauerzeitung.ch)