For the first Time ever, to get minorities at risk Federal funds to protect against terrorist threats. The Federal Council has sent a corresponding regulation in the consultation process. If everything goes according to Plan, should flow, in 2020, the first subsidies for private security arrangements of the concerned minorities.
The trigger is the Jewish community. For decades, they need to protect their synagogues, schools and homes for the elderly at their own expense against possible terrorist attacks. According to estimates by the Jewish community Federation, the cost per year of six to seven million francs. Again and again the Jews asked the state for help, but in vain. At the end of 2016, the Federal government came in a report in the end, for a financial assistance there was “neither a constitutional nor a legal basis”. Moreover, the report implied that the Jews were rich enough yourself for your safety.
The report, and especially the anti-Semitic clichés, which he operated, triggered a lot of criticism. Yvonne Feri, and Daniel Jositsch (both SP) submitted parliamentary questions, that a political process. This has now culminated in the adoption of a special regulation. The Federal lawyers have now found in the criminal code, but even a paragraph, can be – with a little good will – as the legal basis.
It’s not just Jewish institutions. “The Federal government may not enact a special law for a minority,” says Marc Schinzel Federal office for justice. According to the regulation, other minorities could sign up claims about Muslims, or homosexuals. These groups are not able to “report, however, simply to the Federal government, to receive money,” says André Duvillard, the delegate of the Federal Council for the Security Alliance Switzerland.
a precondition is, according to the regulation, the concerned minority “has a special need for protection”. Who has one and who does not, is to be by the security authorities of the Confederation and the cantons is determined, said Duvillard. “Currently, the two minorities to comply with the requirement: the Jewish and the Muslim community”.
a special law?
in fact, even Islamic organizations to request the Federal help. “The threat situation for the Muslim minority is real,” says Pascal Gemperli, spokesman for the Federation of Islamic umbrella organizations Switzerland (FIDS). “Once the regulation is in force, apply to Muslim organizations to secure support for safety precautions.”
The money, which the Federal Council makes it available, are limited to 500’000 Swiss francs per year. In addition, he expects the cantons of at least equally high contributions. At the same time the government want to wrap up by the end of 2020, whether the Federal government should get more involved in the protection of minorities.
That would be based on the current legal situation, but it’s definitely not possible. “The draft regulation at the limit of the legal possibilities to the full,” says Schinzel. “For any further measures by the Federal government for the protection of minorities it would take a private act and probably also a change in the Constitution.” (Editorial Tamedia)
Created: 30.01.2019, 18:38 PM
