Nearly four years after voters approved the initiative, parliament has agreed on the details of implementing the proposed measures to protect children from sexual abuse
Keystone
Parliament has approved some exemptions to a life ban on convicted paedophiles working with children, which was approved in a 2014 people’s initiative.
The House of Representatives on Wednesday followed the Senate in allowing exemptions in lighter cases. These include, for example, selling a pornographic magazine to a minor or teenagers sharing videos with child pornography.
A sticking point between the chambers was also whether sexual relations between minors should be specifically mentioned as a general exception. It was finally decided to not to do so, leaving more margin to judges.
However, no exceptions will be made in the case of perpetrators diagnosed as clinically paedophile or people convicted of serious crimes.
Parliament said these regulations were necessary to avoid inappropriate verdicts or disproportionate penalties.
In May 2014, 64% of Swiss voters approved a proposal, to be enshrined in the constitution, banning convicted paedophiles for life from working with children.
Opponents, including the government, had argued that the text of the initiative was too simplistic and overlapped with a legal amendment that came into force at the beginning of 2015.
Popular Stories
More
Life & Aging
Zurich: how the world capital of housing shortages is tackling the problem
In Switzerland more people are being referred to electrical therapies or psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. Are there similar approaches where you live?
This content was published on
A Geneva-registered tourist plane grazed some ski mountaineers on Saturday on a glacier on the Swiss side of the Monte Rosa massif.
Sharp rise in reports of suspicious sports betting in Switzerland
This content was published on
Last year the Intercantonal Gambling Supervisory Authority received 184 reports of suspicious activities in connection with 166 sports competitions.
Swiss fencers apologise for diplomatic scandal with Israel
This content was published on
Two days after causing a diplomatic scandal at the U23 European Championships in Tallinn, the Swiss fencers responsible have published a jointly signed apology on Instagram.
Air in climbing gyms more polluted than on streets
This content was published on
The concentration of potentially harmful chemicals in climbing gyms is sometimes higher than on busy roads, say researchers from Switzerland and Austria.
This content was published on
Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) achieved slightly higher sales at the start of the year. However, profits fell sharply, partly due to the late Easter.
Switzerland’s first padel court on water built in Arosa
This content was published on
Switzerland's first padel tennis court on water will open on the Obersee in Arosa, canton Graubünden, for the 2025 summer season.
This content was published on
Wine consumption in Switzerland fell by almost 8% in 2024 compared to the previous year. Swiss wines are particularly affected by the decline.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Voters back paedophile ban on working with children
This content was published on
Final results showed 63.5% of voters were in favour of the initiative. It also won the necessary backing of a majority of cantons. Turnout was 55.5%. Opponents, including the cabinet, had claimed the text was too simplistic and made redundant by a new law which comes into force in January. But supporters dismissed these reservations,…
This content was published on
Almost two-thirds of voters approved the initiative in May 2014 and parliament and relevant parties are currently discussing how to put it into force. The cabinet had originally floated two possible solutions, one of which included exemptions to lifelong bans of working with children if this was neither necessary nor reasonable. This was strongly rejected…
Calls to curb use of people’s initiatives intensify
This content was published on
Should it be harder to launch initiatives given the problems encountered in recent years with proposals accepted by the people but run contrary to international laws signed by Switzerland? Even if so, building a political majority ready to sacrifice part of the people’s sovereignty would appear to be nigh on impossible. At present, some 15…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.