Swiss may revive death penalty
Source: Agencies |
August 25, 2010, Wednesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
SWISS death penalty advocates can start collecting signatures for a referendum on whether to restore capital punishment in the Alpine republic after almost 70 years, the government said yesterday.
An announcement in the federal bulletin said the documents submitted by campaigners meet formal legal requirements.
The group has until February 24, 2012, to collect the 100,000 signatures needed to call a popular vote on reintroducing the death penalty for murders involving sexual abuse, the announcement said.
Switzerland eliminated capital punishment from its criminal statutes in 1942. The last civilian to be executed in Switzerland was beheaded in 1940. The death penalty remained part of Swiss military law until 1992, though the last executions took place by firing squad in 1944.
Authorities have yet to examine whether the death penalty would be constitutionally legal and in line with Switzerland's international obligations, including the European Convention on Human Rights.
Government spokesman Andre Simonazzi said if parliament finds that capital punishment would breach the Swiss constitution or global treaties it can block the referendum from taking place.
An announcement in the federal bulletin said the documents submitted by campaigners meet formal legal requirements.
The group has until February 24, 2012, to collect the 100,000 signatures needed to call a popular vote on reintroducing the death penalty for murders involving sexual abuse, the announcement said.
Switzerland eliminated capital punishment from its criminal statutes in 1942. The last civilian to be executed in Switzerland was beheaded in 1940. The death penalty remained part of Swiss military law until 1992, though the last executions took place by firing squad in 1944.
Authorities have yet to examine whether the death penalty would be constitutionally legal and in line with Switzerland's international obligations, including the European Convention on Human Rights.
Government spokesman Andre Simonazzi said if parliament finds that capital punishment would breach the Swiss constitution or global treaties it can block the referendum from taking place.
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