Nidwalden voters decide on “child protection initiative”
Published: Sunday, Nov 12th 2023, 09:40
العودة إلى البث المباشر
On November 26, voters in Nidwalden will decide on the "Child Protection Initiative", which demands more self-determination for schoolchildren as a result of the coronavirus protection measures. This includes measures such as compulsory masks and testing.
The initiative, which was signed by 438 people, demands that the consent of the pupils concerned or their parents be required for medical and health-related measures. For example, in connection with compulsory masks or testing.
The initiators justified their request by arguing that parents, not the state, are responsible for children's health. One of the initiators is Urs Lang, who ran for the Nidwalden cantonal council in 2022 and for the Council of States in 2023 for the "Aufrecht" movement, which is critical of the coronavirus measures.
Both the government and parliament rejected the initiative. Education Director Res Schmid (SVP) argued that it could not fulfill the expectations it raised. It would have no effect in the case of major events such as pandemics, for example, because federal legislation would then apply.
Simple measures, such as those against head lice, would be made unnecessarily difficult if written consent always had to be obtained. What's more, the popular initiative would have an impact on school medical check-ups in particular. If voters were to approve the popular initiative, these would no longer be compulsory. They would no longer be able to fulfill their purpose, the government argued against the initiative.
Similar referendums were also launched in other cantons.
©كيستون/إسدا
Arabic 
English 
German 
French 
Spanish