Switzerland must take measures after ruling, according to authorities
Published: Tuesday, Apr 9th 2024, 15:10
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According to Alain Chablais, the federal government's representative before the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), Switzerland must act following the Strasbourg judges' climate ruling. "It is now up to the authorities to analyze the situation and outline ways forward."
It is an important, carefully detailed ruling that obliges Switzerland to take measures, Chablais told the Keystone-SDA news agency on Tuesday. Following the precedent-setting ruling, the debate will now begin on what needs to be done.
Chablais is a member of the Federal Office of Justice (FOJ) and represents the Swiss government at the Strasbourg Court. During the hearings before the ECtHR, Chablais stated that the climate seniors' complaint was an attempt to suggest that Switzerland was inactive. He also argued that the Court was not the place to decide on national climate protection policy.
Political debate will follow
Following the ruling, Chablais stated that the plaintiffs had been proven right with regard to the content of two articles of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). He did not comment further on the content of the judgment, but pointed out that Switzerland would be obliged to respect the judgment.
The Federal Council has "naturally taken note" of the ruling. It even has "historical significance".
The matter is now becoming political: the Council of Ministers of the Council of Europe will monitor the measures that Switzerland will take to remedy its shortcomings, said Chablais. A broad debate is imminent, involving the federal government, cantons and other authorities. Initiatives in the federal parliament are also to be expected. It is currently not possible to set a timetable.
©Keystone/SDA
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