Some 25,000 Swiss have called on the government to impose sanctions against the Iranian government. The organisation Free Iran Switzerland submitted two petitions to the federal chancellery in Bern on Tuesday as a sign of solidarity with the Iranian people.
The organisation demanded that Switzerland follow the sanctions imposed by the European Union and North America. Members of the Iranian government should no longer be allowed to enter Switzerland and their funds should be frozen. In addition, the Revolutionary Guard and the Basij militia should be classified as terrorist organisations and all opponents should be protected from expulsion.
“When fundamental human rights are trampled on, Switzerland must take the side of the oppressed,” said parliamentarian Fabian Molina.
Ongoing protests in Iran were sparked by the death of a young Kurdish woman, Mahsa Amini, in September in the custody of morality police. She was arrested for allegedly flouting Iran’s strict dress code for women.
The protests have taken on a wider aspect of women’s rights and opposition to the Islamic regime. They are seen as posing one of the biggest challenges to Iran’s clerical rulers since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
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Iranian protests test Switzerland’s special status with Iran
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Iran has been rocked by violent protests. This has brought Switzerland’s special role into focus.
The foreign ministry is aware of the Iranian regime’s brutal response, the authors of the press release say – it advises against travelling to Iran – but the Swiss government is not acting accordingly, they criticise.
Neutral Switzerland has already adopted some UN and EU sanctions against Iran imposed over the country’s nuclear activities and human rights violations.
Under existing measures, Switzerland has banned the export of weapons, nuclear goods and surveillance equipment, and also frozen financial assets of some Iranians linked to the government and the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps.
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Switzerland condemns violence by Iranian security forces
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The Swiss foreign ministry has called on Iran to protect the right to freedom of expression amid a violent crackdown on anti-government protestors.
First large-scale alpine solar plant approved in Switzerland
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The approval was met with satisfaction by the project's organisers, but it also brings with it a certain amount of pressure.
Medieval squirrels may have ‘helped spread leprosy’
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An examination of squirrel remains in the United Kingdom has opened up interesting questions and possibilities in terms of the history of the disease.
Swiss money laundering office registers record number of reports
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The Money Laundering Reporting Office Switzerland (MROS) registered a record number of reports of suspicious activity last year.
Two teens accused of planning terror attack released from custody
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The Schaffhausen judiciary has released the two teenagers from custody who allegedly planned bomb attacks in Switzerland.
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Iran should be barred from World Cup, says ex-FIFA boss Blatter
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Iran should be barred from the World Cup amid widespread rights protests in the country, says former FIFA president Sepp Blatter
Swiss consider wider EU sanctions on Iran over Amini death
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Switzerland is considering whether to adopt the strengthened EU sanctions against Iran following Tehran’s crackdown against demonstrators.
Hundreds of Swiss demonstrate against Iranian repression
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More than 1,000 people took to the Swiss streets to protest the death of a young woman in Iranian police custody last month.
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