The legislation approved by parliament last December extends anti-racism norms to encompass discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation: a legal modification that allows for homophobia to be prosecuted just like racism, or anti-Semitism.
On Monday, opponents of the law – the ultra-conservative Federal Democratic Union (FDU) party, the youth wing of the Swiss People’s Party and the Youth and Family Working Group – handed in over 70,000 signatures to Federal Chancellery. A minimum of 50,000 is required to force a referendum.
The so-called “No to this censorship law” referendum committeeExternal link called for more tolerance and the removal of “censorship bandages”. They claim that the law will hurt freedom of expression and make it difficult for pastors to quote “biblical truths”.
The campaign has been accused by some of targeting gays and lesbians.
The government is still to set a date for the vote.
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Why one party is opposing the criminalisation of homophobia
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Last year, parliament approved legislation to criminalise homophobia. Now, a small conservative party wants to launch a referendum against it.
In Switzerland more people are being referred to electrical therapies or psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. Are there similar approaches where you live?
UBS will pay $511 million to end Credit Suisse US tax probe
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UBS Group AG agreed to pay $511 million ($420 million) to settle a US investigation into how Credit Suisse Group, the Swiss bank it bought, helped rich Americans evade taxes.
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Primary school children in the Swiss canton of Nidwalden will not be allowed to use mobile phones and other electronic devices..
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Switzerland has increased maximum possible output from hydropower by 43 megawatts compared to last year, according to the Swiss energy ministry.
How homophobia manifests itself in everyday Swiss life
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Five recent cases highlight a common problem of discrimination and violence against the LGBTIQ community that parliamentarians are now addressing.
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Switzerland should pave the way to allow same-sex couples to get married and adopt children, a parliamentary committee has said.
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