In Switzerland, debate is under way over the ban on Hezbollah, which is expected to be included in the same legal framework as Hamas, currently banned in the country.
During the consultancy process, the bourgeois have welcomed the proposal, while the Greens have clearly rejected it. Social Democrat Party ( SP) and Swiss Democrats have also expressed reservations and concerns over the proposal, reports Watson. ch.
The federal Council’s proposal envisions the ban to include Hezbollah’s front and successor organisations as well as organisations and groups operating in its name. This proposal comes after a motion adopted by the Swiss Parliament.
centre-right parties back ban
The centre-right parties generally support the Federal Council’s proposal.
The Centre Party reasons its stance with the fact that Hezbollah, along with Hamas, attacked Israel after the October 7th 2023 terrorist attack. According to this party, the close link between the two organisations makes it appropriate for Hezbollah’s ban to be included in the same law as that of Hamas.
In the long term, however, the Centre Party requires a general regulation that would enable the Federal Council to independently ban organisations based on intelligence findings.
Even the FDP supports the ban and considers that, as in Hamas’ case, the federal government must take measures to prevent representatives or persons belonging to Hezbollah from finding refuge in Switzerland, the Telegrafi broadcast.
SVP: Ban shuts down a security vacuum
Swiss People’s Party ( SVP views the ban as a measure that closes an important vacuum in Switzerland’s security.
According to SVP, the ban would facilitate the order of police measures, strengthen legal security and improve co-operation between prevention and law enforcement.
The party also argues it would facilitate prosecution of propaganda, recruiting, financial support and other activities on behalf of Hezbollah if the terms of Article 260 are met on the Criminal Code.
Even the Federal Democratic Union ( The EDL supports the ban, but requires it to be permanent and not limited until 2035, as is currently planned.
Green: The Law Is Very Unclear
The Greens oppose the ban and criticise the proposed formulation of the law, which they consider very unclear.
According to them, the formulation gives authorities a large space of discretion and could lead to arbitrary law enforcement. The party also expresses concern over what it calls a containive effect on humanitarian efforts for the civilian population.
The Green Book argues that the Federal Council is bypassing the Intelligence Service Act, which requires a UN sanctions resolution for such a ban. Such a resolution, they say, does not exist for Hezbollah.
Director Democrats: Courts Must Take the Decision
The most fundamental criticism comes from the Swiss Democrats.
They oppose the federal Council’s proposal to create a legal assumption that Hezbollah is a banned organisation under Article 260th of the Swiss Criminal Code.
According to them, it is up to the courts to determine whether in a concrete case elements of a criminal offense have been fulfilled. This, they believe, cannot be determined simply through the adoption of a law.
They also criticise the term “support” in the proposed law, considering it too wide and arguing that it could include even cases such as a taxi driver.
SP gets no final position
Social Democrat Party ( The SP has not granted a final approval or refusal to the proposal.
The SP condemns Hezbollah’s actions, but expresses basic reservations to the bans of organisations. According to her, a ban should not limit Switzerland’s chances of foreign policy.
The party stresses that communication channels should remain open to enable humanitarian aid and peace efforts.
For this reason, the SP requires a clear legal provision to distinguish contacts for humanitarian, diplomatic and peace policy from criminal support.
Federal Council was originally against
The Federal Council had initially rejected the transition towards a ban on military activity, warning that this could weaken Switzerland’s role as mediator in armed conflicts.
Regarding Hamas’ ban, the government had stressed that this should remain an exception, linking the decision to the 7 October 2023 terrorist attacks.
Recently, the Federal Council has argued that uniformity and consistency between the two bans are guaranteed. According to him, since it’s the same context that terrorist attack and subsequent escalation between Hezbollah and Israel it makes sense that both organizations are banned through the same law.
The Swiss Parliament approved Hamas ‘ ban at the end of 2024. Shortly thereafter, he also voted for Hezbollah’s ban. /Telegraphy/
