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GENEVA (AP) — Switzerland’s higher home of parliament took steps Wednesday towards banning the usage of racist symbols that excuse violent or extremist conduct, together with speech, gestures and the show of flags that stir hatred, in addition to the general public sporting of symbols harking back to Nazi tyranny in Europe.
The Council of States voted 23-16, with three abstentions, on a proposal that goals to criminalize shows of such symbols and gestures within the public area. Lawmakers mentioned they nonetheless have to flesh out simply how far the laws would go.
The measure now strikes on to the decrease home, the Nationwide Council.
Such a measure, if handed, would put Switzerland on observe to hitch a number of of its European neighbors which have related bans in opposition to incitement to hatred.
Whereas the legislative effort has been within the works for months, it comes as a lot of Europe has seen an increase in antisemitism, following Israel’s muscular army response in Gaza after Hamas’ lethal Oct. 7 assault.
“There’s no place for symbols that make apologies for violence in our society,” mentioned Federal Councilor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider, who heads the federal justice and police division, throughout a parliamentary listening to Wednesday.
She acknowledged the “tragic creativity” that some individuals have discovered to incite violence, hatred or recognition of Nazi symbols. She mentioned a full ban was exhausting to think about as a result of such symbols may have a spot in schooling or awareness-raising in a cultural context.
Lawmakers agreed that Swiss judges ought to retain some stage of oversight in adjudicating such instances.
A legislative proposal earlier this yr focusing solely on a proposed ban of Nazi symbols was rejected.
The Related Press
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