Switzerland War material
War material law revision: opponents launch referendum campaign
An alliance of left-wing parties, the Evangelical People's Party and organisations such as Caritas has come out against the revision of Switzerland's war material law, passed by Parliament and due for a vote on 29 November. The committee says the reform contradicts Swiss values and benefits only the arms industry.
On Monday, supporters of the referendum against the revision of the war material law made their case publicly. The text, already passed by Parliament, will go to a vote on 29 November. The alliance opposing the reform brings together the left, the Evangelical People's Party and several organisations, including Caritas and the Group for a Switzerland without an Army. In a statement, the committee describes the new rules as "immorale" and "anti-Ucraina" (anti-Ukrainian).
The committee collected nearly 59,000 signatures for the referendum and recommends a "no" vote on the revision. According to the alliance, with the reform Switzerland "rinuncia completamente al controllo delle proprie esportazioni di armi" (completely gives up control over its own arms exports). Opponents argue that the text contradicts the country's fundamental values and ultimately benefits only the arms industry.
Green Party president Lisa Mazzone stated: "Non è la lobby delle armi a decidere, ma la popolazione" (It is not the arms lobby that decides, but the population). Mazzone added that it is ethically and morally indefensible to profit from civil wars and the persecution of populations.
What the revision would change
The text up for a vote would allow a group of 36 western countries to buy Swiss war material more freely than today, even if they are involved in a conflict. Only states that seriously and systematically violate human rights would remain excluded. The Federal Council would still hold a right of veto, for example if an export were deemed to risk compromising Swiss neutrality.
The revision would also loosen the rules on re-export. In principle, any buying state could in future freely transfer to third countries war material acquired in Switzerland, with the exception of Ukraine. The Government could nonetheless require a guarantee that the material remain in the buying country, if it had doubts about neutrality or about the Confederation's foreign and security policy interests.
The federal vote on the revision of the law is set for 29 November.
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