The October 7 attack marked “a turning point in history,” according to the Swiss government. The latter therefore decided on Wednesday to draw up a law to prohibit the activities of Hamas and its possible supporters on its soil.
“The sole purpose of the ban is to prevent the terrorist activities of this organization and the people who support them,” explained the Minister of Justice and Police, Elisabeth Baume-Schneider, at a press conference. She specified that a ban on Hamas would make it possible in particular to facilitate the expulsion of “dangerous people” and to speed up criminal proceedings against “potential terrorists”.
Violation of fundamental rights
The decision did not come naturally in a country which takes great pride in its role of good offices, which some believe to be jeopardized by a ban of this type. “The Federal Council is aware that banning an organization constitutes a significant attack on fundamental rights and could affect Switzerland’s room for maneuver in foreign policy,” recognized Elisabeth Baume-Schneider. But the government believes that the interests of internal security and the imperative of the fight against “terrorist financing” prevail.
The European Union and the United States, among others, already designate Hamas as a “terrorist organization”. The services of the various Swiss ministries concerned must submit a draft federal law by the end of February 2024. The procedure should last a year, according to the federal authorities.
Financial activities
Furthermore, indicated the minister, banks and other financial intermediaries will have the obligation to detect and inform on possible activities in Switzerland of Hamas and organizations affiliated with it. “No Swiss funding should be used by NGOs to support the actions of Hamas,” insisted Elisabeth Baume-Schneider.
Even if, at present, the authorities “are not aware of Swiss funds having benefited Hamas and its activities”, specified the Swiss Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ignazio Cassis. He noted that this is not the first time the government has banned an organization, indicating that it has already done so for Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State (IS) group.