According to their own statements, the initiators of a federal popular initiative against compulsory vaccination have the necessary signatures for the request. The Freedom Movement Switzerland announced that over 140,000 signatures had been received by Wednesday.
Some of the signatures have not yet been authenticated. However, the initiators were confident that they would be able to submit the initiative soon. 100,000 valid signatures are required for the initiative to take place. The collection period officially runs until June 1, 2022.
The popular initiative “For Freedom and Physical Integrity” calls for an amendment to the Federal Constitution, according to which, in connection with a vaccination, interventions in the physical or mental integrity of a person require their consent. “The person concerned may not be punished for refusing to give their consent, nor should they suffer social or professional disadvantages,” says the initiative text.
Was on the committee of the “No Billag” initiative
The “Stop Vaccination” initiative was launched by the Swiss Freedom Movement (FBS) based in Ostermundigen BE. Members of this organization are, for example, the SVP national councilor from Lucerne, Yvette Estermann, and vaccination critic Daniel Trappitsch. In the past, Trappitsch fought against the animal disease and epidemic laws and sat on the committee of the “No Billag” initiative.
The “flood of signatures” was due to the displeasure of many people, announced the initiators. These would criticize the tightening of public life up to and including the obligation for employers to vaccinate. The encroachments on personal freedom, felt by many to be unlawful, would drive people onto the streets.
There will be no compulsory vaccination in Switzerland
The timing of the initiative’s launch last December came as no surprise. Against the background of the second coronavirus pandemic wave with a record number of infections, compulsory vaccination was also discussed. However, the state government repeatedly stated that there would be no compulsory vaccination. In Switzerland, the vaccination rate has so far been lower than in other countries, although sufficient vaccination doses are available.
In Switzerland, vaccination is regulated in the Epidemics Act, which came into force in 2016 after the voters voted in favor. Unlike in France and Italy, for example, there is no compulsory vaccination in this country: the Swiss authorities opted for the ethical principle of self-determination. (SDA)