If the Federal Council has its way, Swiss weapons should fire even more bullets. There is no other way to understand its decision in the summer to also supply civil war countries. The federal government is bowing to the interests of the Swiss arms industry. The decision was taken without a prior democratic vote in parliament or the electorate. This must change.
With this decision, the Federal Council indirectly torpedoed our work in the project countries, where we protect young people from violence and work towards peaceful development. It is therefore clear to us that Switzerland should not contribute to young people being wounded or even killed in other countries. Even though the Federal Council has revoked its decision following widespread public criticism, it can relax the rules again at any time. This must not happen.
That is why we are launching the corrective initiative together with a broad alliance of aid organizations, church organizations and individuals. It aims to write firm rules on arms exports into the constitution so that the Federal Council cannot decide on arms exports alone.
The constitution should prohibit the supply of weapons to countries that wage war. Whether against other countries or against their own population. In addition, no Swiss weapons are to be supplied to countries that grossly violate human rights. Parliament abolished this rule in 2014.
Once these rules are enshrined in the constitution, the Swiss electorate can call for a referendum on any changes and say “no” to any further relaxation. Help make the world a little safer and collect signatures for the initiative.
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