Those behind the launch of the referendum on Wednesday include the youth wings of the leftwing Greens, Liberal Greens and Social Democrats, as well as the Pirate Party. They believe that the text of the new law restricts fundamental rights. The referendum committee has three months to collect 50,000 signatures to force a nationwide vote.
At the end of September, parliament adopted the new legislation aimed at preventing terror acts. The reform introduces a provision punishing recruitment, training and travel with a view to committing a terrorist act, as well as financing activities. Those who support criminal or terrorist organisations could face up to ten years’ imprisonment.
Aspects that have caused controversy are counter-terrorism measures that target individuals who pose a threat but are not subject to criminal proceedings. As a preventive measure, they may be obliged to report to a police station at certain times, refrain from travelling abroad, be confined to a specific area or not go to certain places. Some of these measures could apply to Swiss residents as young as 12. It would also be possible to place potentially dangerous persons under house arrest for up to six months, renewable once. The decision would rest with the Federal Office of Police.
In May, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights criticised the government’s draft of the law. It warned that the new law could open the door to arbitrary deprivation of liberty. Others, including the Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights and Amnesty International, have also voiced concerns.
University students in Switzerland join Gaza protest wave
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Pro-Palestinian activists occupied university buildings in Lausanne, Geneva and Zurich on Tuesday, widening the protest movement in the Alpine nation.
TradeXBank to resume full operations after Sberbank Switzerland taken off sanctions list
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TradeXBank, the former Swiss branch of Russia’s Sberbank, will be able to resume its dollar-denominated activities from the second half of this year.
Geneva decides not to remove controversial memorials
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The city of Geneva has presented an action plan regarding a series of controversial local statues and monuments of historical figures linked to racism, colonialism or slavery.
University of Lausanne calls for end to pro-Palestine sit-in
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The pro-Palestinian occupation continues at the University of Lausanne (UNIL). On Monday evening, a group of students refused to agree to the deadline set by the rectorate.
Ukraine peace conference should include Russia, says Chinese ambassador
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China supports a peace conference on the Ukraine war that would see equal participation of all parties, says Chinese Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui.
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A majority of Swiss citizens have open attitudes towards various infertility treatments, including even egg donation, which is currently prohibited.
Reports of Swiss cyber fraud almost doubled in six months
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The head of the new Federal Office for Cybersecurity (FOC), Florian Schütz, has presented a new strategy after just over four months in office.
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‘Switzerland is sending a dangerous signal to the world’
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With its new anti-terror legislation Switzerland could provide a model for authoritarian regimes, warns UN human rights expert Fionnuala Ní Aoláin.
Memorial marks 50th anniversary of Switzerland’s worst terror attack
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The participants, including Ruedi Berlinger, co-organiser of the memorial event and son of the flight captain killed in the crash, laid wreaths and burned 47 candles. On February 21, 1970, Switzerland was shaken when Swissair 330 bound for Tel Aviv crashed shortly after take-off from Zurich, killing everyone on board: 38 passengers and nine crew.…
Can Swiss authorities deal with terrorist attacks?
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The Swiss government, cantons and cities will carry out a 52-hour exercise starting on November 11 on coping with a terrorist threat.
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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.