- The competent National Council commission wants to authorize the Federal Council to impose sanctions itself and, along with states, also to apply them against individuals and companies – for example if they violate human rights. That would be a paradigm shift.
- The Foreign Policy Committee of the National Council (APK-N) agreed to a corresponding revision of the embargo law as the parliamentary services announced on Tuesday.
- The decision was made by 18 votes to 6.
The change of course is taking place not least under public pressure to accept all EU sanctions against Russia and Belarus. This also includes so-called thematic sanctions, which Switzerland has not yet adopted.
Economics Minister Guy Parmelin and his experts have pointed out several times in recent weeks that the embargo law would need to be changed for the takeover to take place. The consequences of such measures would have to be examined carefully.
Nails with heads
Now the APK-N is getting down to business and wants to authorize the Federal Parliament to impose sanctions independently and apply them not only against states, but also against individuals and companies. Sanctions of this type are ordered transnationally and can relate, for example, to chemical weapons or violations of human rights.
Specifically, the National Council Commission proposes that the Federal Council may take coercive measures against persons who participate in violations of international humanitarian law, human rights or other atrocities. This motion found a majority of 14 votes to 7 with 3 abstentions.