Switzerland rejects proposal to stay out of sanctions and military alliances

GENEVA, September 27 — Swiss citizens have overwhelmingly rejected a proposal that sought to make the country’s neutrality stricter, limiting Switzerland’s ability to impose sanctions on other states and to cooperate with military alliances such as NATO, as ATSH-DPA reports.

According to final results, 70.2% of voters voted against the proposal.

Swiss citizens voted against the proposal that sought to set stricter rules for the country’s neutrality.

Switzerland has been neutral since 1815. That means it does not take part in wars and is not part of military alliances such as NATO.

The proposal, backed by the Pro Schweiz organization, demanded that Switzerland apply neutrality far more strictly.

It envisaged that the country would not cooperate with military alliances such as NATO, except if Switzerland were attacked; would impose economic sanctions only if approved by the UN; and would continue trading even with states that have started wars.

The debate was linked especially to Russia. After the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Switzerland largely joined the sanctions imposed by the European Union on Russia.

Supporters of the proposal argued that stricter neutrality would better protect Switzerland and would also bring economic benefits, since the country could continue trading with states targeted by sanctions.

Opponents argued that neutrality should not mean Switzerland standing indifferent in the face of wars and grave violations of international law.

International law expert Helen Keller said economic sanctions are an important tool for responding to grave violations of international law and that Switzerland should not use neutrality as a reason not to react, as ATSH-DPA reports.