The Council of States Does Not Want to Compensate Victims of Violence Abroad
Published: Tuesday, Sep 12th 2023, 08:40
Updated At: Friday, Oct 13th 2023, 14:12
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Victims of violence in Switzerland, such as attacks abroad, will not be entitled to financial compensation or reparation. On Tuesday, the Swiss Council of States unanimously rejected four motions proposed by Jacqueline de Quattro (FDP/VD), Léonore Porchet (Grüne/VD), Min Li Marti (SP/ZH) and Lilian Studer (EVP/AG). This was due to the territoriality principle, which states that it is not the responsibility of Switzerland to repair damages incurred in another country. Additionally, the introduction of such a principle for violent acts would lead to unequal treatment of different victim categories. The Federal Council had also requested the rejection of the four motions for the same reasons. Furthermore, the Council of States also rejected a motion proposed by National Councilor Philippe Nantermod (FDP/VS) for more autonomy for the cantons in the Victims Assistance Act. The Federal Council had also requested the rejection of this motion, which had previously been accepted by the National Council. In summary, the Swiss Council of States has rejected four motions proposing financial compensation or reparation for victims of violence in Switzerland, such as attacks abroad, due to the territoriality principle and the unequal treatment of different victim categories. Additionally, a motion for more autonomy for the cantons in the Victims Assistance Act was also rejected.nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn
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