Parliament accepts arms sales restrictions

Thursday, 16 September 2021 04:34

Parliament has agreed to the broad intention of an initiative to ban arms sales to countries involved in conflict or those that violate human rights.

The alliance of left-wing parties and campaign groups say they’re pleased at the result and so are withdrawing the initiative which means it will not go a popular vote.

The government was pushing to allow itself more flexibility in agreeing to arms exports – but parliament has rejected that.
It fears the new rules may lead to arms makers leave Switzerland.

The initiative to ban arms sales collected more than 134,000 signatures in only 6 months, suggesting large public support for the move.

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