Democratic lawyers and SP consider demo ban unlawful
Published: Wednesday, Nov 8th 2023, 18:30
Updated At: Thursday, Nov 9th 2023, 00:54
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The Democratic Lawyers' Association (djb) and the Social Democratic Party of the City of Bern have criticized the decision of Bern's city government not to allow any more large demonstrations in the city centre until Christmas.
The municipal council had effectively imposed a ban on demonstrations in the city center for more than a month. This was "disproportionate and unlawful", the association wrote in a press release.
The djb are clearly in favor of fundamental rights and freedom of assembly - "even if someone doesn't like a different opinion". It is unacceptable that all major demonstrations in Bern's city center are banned for over a month without exception.
Demonstrations must always remain possible. In contrast to light shows and Christmas markets, they are protected by constitutional law and therefore have priority.
In the statement, the djb condemned anti-Semitic and anti-Islamic ideas in the strongest possible terms. However, it should not be assumed in advance that all rallies in the coming weeks will be characterized by such ideas.
Rather, it is up to the City of Bern to examine the applications on a case-by-case basis in accordance with its rally regulations and constitutional rights - and to approve them where possible.
Criticism from the SP
The SP Stadt Bern put forward similar arguments to the djb in a press release on Wednesday evening. The party wrote that the regulation was effectively tantamount to a general ban on demonstrations. The SP considers such a ban to be contrary to fundamental rights.
Demonstrations are part of the backbone of democracy and "they cannot be completely excluded for the sake of simplicity", the party continued.
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