The foreign minister, and current president, Ignazio Cassis, is being criticised for failing to condemn the atrocities committed by Russian troops in Ukraine – even when given two attempts.
On Sunday the ministry issued what is being considered a very mild statement which simply called on ‘all sides’ to adhere to international humanitarian law.
Several party leaders say they believe that was too weak – Social Democrat member, Fabian Molina, summed up many opinions when he called it ‘insanely soft’.
Then yesterday Cassis told the press that in diplomacy it’s important to keep a ‘cool head’ and says an independent investigation is needed to find out who is responsible for the atrocities. Notably avoiding the term – ‘war crimes.’
The former president of the ICRC, Jakob Kellenberger, says when civilians are shot that’s a clear violation of international law and you should use plain language.