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While the government in Iran continues to take rigorous action against demonstrators, more and more politicians and Iran observers are demanding their voices in Switzerland. Now Foreign Minister Cassis also takes a position.
Rallies against the Iranian government took place in Bern and Zurich last weekend. And a demonstration in Zurich has been announced for next Saturday. The organizers are demanding that Switzerland impose drastic sanctions on the Iranian government.
Legend:
Symbol of the uprising: the late Iranian Mahsa Amini.
Reuters
The Iranian government has been trying to break up the demonstrations for weeks now. The security forces are taking it hard. According to the human rights organization “Iran Human Rights”, more than 180 people had already been killed by last Saturday.
Iran expert calls for sanctions
Because of this unbelievable brutality, the West must take urgent measures, says Kijan Espahangizi. The Iranian-born historian has lived in Switzerland for 16 years and lectures at the University of Zurich.
He has been observing events in Iran closely for years and is certain: “What we are currently experiencing are not isolated protests. This is a comprehensive democracy movement in the country that will not stop. The days of this regime are numbered.” However, this could take a few months. It is all the more important that Switzerland also takes measures.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has already announced that several thousand high-ranking members of the Revolutionary Guard will be refused entry to Canada. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has also announced sanctions against Iran. In addition to entry bans, funds from members of the regime are also to be frozen.
Demands are also being raised in Swiss politics
Only after public pressure did the Swiss Foreign Ministry condemn the “excessive use of force against the demonstrators” in Iran in a statement via Twitter last week and stated that they would continue to work to protect human rights.
If we only condemn, but do not act, then we are indirectly becoming Iran’s accomplice.
This is good, but far from enough, says National Councilor Sibel Arslan (Greens): “If we only condemn, but do not act – then we indirectly make ourselves an accomplice of Iran.” And Min Li Marti, SP National Councilor, is calling on the Federal Council to consider adopting any EU sanctions.
Cassis: “I don’t know what sanctions would still be possible”
Federal President Ignazio Cassis made a statement to SRF in Strasbourg on the sidelines of a meeting of the Council of Europe: “What we are seeing is of course very worrying. We see a massive violation of human rights.” But one shouldn’t forget that Iran is already heavily sanctioned and has been for years: “I don’t know immediately what other sanctions would be possible and would help.”
Legend:
Federal President Ignazio Cassis sees no possibility of taking helpful sanctions against Iran.
Keystone/MARTIN DIVISEK
The historian Espahangizi has a different opinion and sees Switzerland as having a duty: Switzerland is held in high esteem in Iran. A sign from Switzerland would have enormous significance. On the other hand, the question actually arises: How much of the regime’s money is currently in Switzerland?