Parliament accepts arms sales restrictions

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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