Canton of Fribourg to ban Nazi symbols
Published: Wednesday, Mar 20th 2024, 14:10
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The cantonal parliament of Fribourg spoke out in favor of a ban on Nazi symbols on Wednesday. It passed a motion to this effect against the will of the government. The State Council referred in vain to the prospect of a nationwide solution.
The motion was submitted by two members of the Greens and the Center Party. The two called for faster action than in the federal parliament. Nazi symbols are a universal expression of hatred. The SP recalled the recent increase in anti-Semitic incidents.
A majority of the center and FDP wanted to rely on federal regulation. The SVP shared this stance and argued that there were other inhumane symbols, namely communist ones.
Director of Justice Romain Collaud (FDP) saw no current reason for tougher action against the use of Nazi symbols. There is already a possibility of sanctions for the display of extremist symbols if this serves as propaganda for an ideology or to denigrate third parties or groups of people.
On the other hand, the mere display of extremist symbols without influencing others is not punishable by law. There are also efforts to ban the display of extremist symbols in Geneva, Vaud, Neuchâtel and St. Gallen. He prefers a national solution, said Collaud. This would guarantee a uniform application of the law, as a ban would represent an encroachment on fundamental rights.
©Keystone/SDA
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