– The petitions rejected by the National and the States under the microscope
The deputies of the Lower House swept aside five texts this Friday while their counterparts in the Upper House disapproved four.
Published today at 9:25 a.m.
Nine texts did not have the approval of the deputies of the two Chambers of parliament.
KEYSTONE/Peter Klaunzer
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The National Council rejected five petitions on Friday, including one which demanded that Switzerland commit to a ceasefire in Gaza and continue its funding of UNRWA. Two texts related to the WHO agreement on pandemics.
The petition concerning Gaza was submitted by Amnesty International and had 45,485 signatures. While recalling its concern for the situation in the Middle East, the committee called for the text to be rejected because it considers that the main elements of the text have been taken into consideration.
In May, the Federal Council decided to grant 10 million francs to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees. Since then, the National adopted a motion at the beginning of September calling for the suspension of Swiss contributions to UNRWA, a decision which will have to be confirmed by the Council of States.
Two petitions, filed respectively by the Politbeobachter association and Pro Suisse, requested that a WHO agreement on pandemics be submitted to parliament for approval. One of the texts also requested this for amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR).
They were rejected by 130 votes to 65. Parliament is regularly informed, and in a sufficiently transparent manner, about the progress of the negotiations to enable it to react if necessary. For the SVP on the contrary, the ratification of the two agreements requires a broad political discussion, which must include parliament.
Access for people with disabilities
MEPs also rejected a petition which sought immediate and widespread implementation of the Disability Equality Act so that people with disabilities can use public transport independently and spontaneously in Switzerland.
For the majority, Parliament should not take any action for the moment. Even if all the adaptations have not yet been made, the projects are moving forward. However, Parliament will review the progress of the work each year. The deadline for implementing the law expired at the beginning of the year. It is relevant to take additional measures, the left argued on the contrary, in vain.
Finally, the deputies tacitly dismissed a petition from German-speaking consumer protection asking to abandon the plan to lower the value-free allowance in tourist traffic, which is currently 300 francs. This text was also rejected by the Council of States the day before.
The senators rejected three other petitions. Two required more effective regulations to combat noise pollution produced by motor vehicles. The last wanted that orders of necessity and urgent decisions could be contested before the Federal Court.
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