Latest news Council of States approves new torture law

SDA

3.12.2024 - 08:42

The Council of States discusses an anti-torture law on Tuesday. (Archive image)
The Council of States discusses an anti-torture law on Tuesday. (Archive image)
Keystone

The Council of States approved the new Torture Bill on Tuesday. With the exception of one amendment, the responsible committee requested that the National Council be followed in the run-up to the discussion.

Keystone-SDA

With the law, the Federal Council wants to ban the import, transit and export of goods that have no practical use other than for the execution of the death penalty or for the purpose of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. This is intended to implement a recommendation of the Council of Europe.

A minority, represented by Pirmin Schwander (SVP/SZ), demanded that the vote not be taken. Schwander said that he saw no need for action at the legislative level. The Federal Council could close any loopholes in the existing laws at ordinance level.

The National Council was the first chamber to adopt the law in the summer session. The Council of States' Legal Affairs Committee (RK-S) requested an amendment: medicines should not be subject to the new law.