With a view to taking a common Swiss stance in favour of peace, democracy and human rights, the mayors, unions and presidents of the largest Swiss cities are asking the Federal Council to take action against the human rights violations in Iran.
On 16 September 2022, Jina Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman, was arrested, beaten and probably fatally wounded by the Iranian morality police on the pretext that she was not wearing her veil in accordance with the law. Since then, tens of thousands of people have been demonstrating in Iran’s streets against the mullahs’ regime. The brutality with which the government has reacted to the population’s demands is of great concern.
Demonstrations organised throughout Switzerland have called for the country to actively oppose the human rights violations in Iran. In its declaration “In favour of human rights and democracy in Iran” filed on 16 January 2023, the National Council adopted a clear stance in favour of the importance of human rights and the respect thereof. In doing so, it reflects the feelings and opinion of a large part of the Swiss population.
The executive councils of the different cities share this concern
In a joint letter addressed to the Federal Council, the representatives of the executive councils of the largest Swiss cities have requested that tangible measures be taken against the human rights violations in Iran.
The Federal Council must commit itself within the UN Human Rights Council to the implementation of the international investigative and responsibility mechanism in order to combat the systemic impunity observed in Iran. It must furthermore take measures to support the Iranian civil society in its fight for women’s rights and human rights.
The Federal Council has also been asked to reconsider its decision of 2 November 2022 not to apply the sanctions adopted by the European Union in light of the current protests. These requests must be examined from a humanitarian standpoint and, more particularly, for the Iranian people, as well as with a view to maintaining the reputation and interests of Switzerland.
For more information, please contact the following people:
Beat Jans, Regierungspräsident de Bâle: 061 267 80 47
Alec von Graffenried, Stadtpräsident de Berne: 031 321 65 21
Erich Fehr, Stadtpräsident de Bienne: 032 326 11 01
Marie Barbey-Chappuis, Maire de Genève: 022 418 24 70
Grégoire Junod, Syndic de Lausanne: 021 315 22 00
Beat Züsli, Stadtpräsident de Lucerne: @email
Maria Pappa, Stadtpräsidentin de St.Gall: 071 224 53 25
Michael Künzle, Stadtpräsident de Winterthur: 052 267 51 12
Corine Mauch, Stadtpräsidentin de Zürich: 044 412 30 65
Article modifié le 29.03.2023 à 15:53