The National Council is discussing whether Switzerland should adopt the EU sanctions against Iran. The Federal Council is against it, but the National Council’s Foreign Policy Commission (APK) supports a corresponding motion. SP foreign policy officer Fabian Molina is in charge. In an interview he explains the view of the APK.
SRF News: The Federal Council finds that the sanctions are not in Switzerland’s interest. Aren’t you a bit activist there?
Fabian Molina: The situation in Iran is dramatic – since the protests began in September, 20,000 people have been arrested and over 500 have died. The EU is supporting the protests by sanctioning regime officials responsible for cracking down on the protests. Switzerland is once again on the sidelines – the AKP wants to change that.
Switzerland holds the protecting power mandate between Iran and the USA. Do you want to jeopardize this?
No. A protecting power mandate is not an intermediary function, but rather a kind of «postman mandate». The Iranian regime has absolutely no interest in ending Switzerland’s protecting power mandate, as it is the only open channel of communication with the United States.
Legend:
There is a lot of solidarity among the Swiss population with the people in Iran who are protesting against the mullahs’ regime. Pictured is a solidarity rally in Geneva in January.
Keystone/Martial Trezzini
One must not overestimate the mandate and use it as an excuse to put the protection of human rights and the promotion of democracy on the back burner. Both are enshrined in the Federal Constitution.
Your motion states that the Federal Council should also take measures to support Iranian civil society in the fight for women’s and human rights. What does that mean?
Switzerland should Constitutional mandate in accordance with Article 54 fulfill. This provides for the promotion of democracy and human rights worldwide. In the case of Iran, that’s not easy because the demonstrating people live in an authoritarian system. But there are ways to actively support these people, and other countries are doing the same. Switzerland would also have ways and means to support relevant organizations, for example.
Switzerland is already doing this – it supports Unicef and UNHCR projects. What else should she do?
Iran is not a priority country in Switzerland’s international cooperation – this is very unfortunate because Iran is a regional power and thus has an influence on peace and stability in the entire region. Therefore, Switzerland should get involved to support the path towards freedom and democracy in Iran.
Switzerland must not underestimate the situation in Iran.
The protests currently taking place in Iran cannot be compared to any other movement in Iran since the Islamic revolution in 1979. Switzerland must therefore not underestimate the situation.
Iran is one of the most heavily sanctioned countries in the world. What contribution should Switzerland still be able to make?
The EU has put more than 100 people and institutions on a sanctions list, but Switzerland stands aside. Switzerland has one of the largest financial centers in the world and is a commodity hub – Switzerland’s influence cannot be underestimated. So the Federal Council should finally get going and take on the sanctions imposed by the EU and seek talks with it to see where it might have additional leverage.
The conversation was conducted by Sandro della Torre.