National Council MPs vote to enshrine ‘education without violence’ in Switzerland’s Civil Code; a Green politician sparks criticism over the ‘un-green’ actions; and other news in our roundup on Tuesday.
‘Education without violence’ to be enshrined in the Civil Code
With 134 votes for and 56 against, the National Council voted on Monday in favour of including parents’ obligation to raise their children without violence in the country’s Civil Code..
This means that spanking, slapping, and other forms of corporal punishment will no longer be permitted in Switzerland.
Though most deputies support this measure, MPs from the Swiss People’s Party voted against it, arguing that it is up to families and not the state to decide how to raise their children.
The issue will next be voted on by the Council of States, which is expected to also approve it.
Green Party official criticised for straying from her principles
Céline Vara, a leading figure in the Green Party, is inciting criticism over her choice of vacation: despite being a staunch supporter of climate-friendly policies, she is spending her vacation in a five-star hotel in Oman.
As her critics point out, her 5,200-km, nine-hour, heavy CO2-emitting flight, is inconsistent with her lifelong climate advocacy.
In response, Vara retorted that the vacation is “a private matter” and did not directly address the critics’ concerns.
Advertisement
Children and bees are not allowed to vote in Switzerland, Federal Court rules
While this may sound like a joke, Switzerland’s highest judicial authority did not laugh while handing down its verdict recently. In fact, it was annoyed.
What is this about?
Frustrated at not being able to participate in the ‘diversity referendum‘ held in September 2022, the outcome of which, she said, would affect her life, an 11-year-old Zurich girl took legal action under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, by bringing her case to the Federal Court.
The judges ruled that only adults — that is, those over the age of 18 — have the right to vote in Switzerland, dismissing the girl’s complaint as “obviously unfounded.”
But the case got even weirder.
Upset with the verdict, the girl’s mother, who is a foreign national and therefore can’t vote in federal referendums, challenged the fact that bees had not been invited to speak in their own name, even though the vote concerned their possible extinction.
“Visibly annoyed,” according to media reports, the judges ruled that insects are not legal entities and therefore do not enjoy political rights.
Mother and child will have to pay 1,000 in court fees for bothering the judges with their trivial cases.
Advertisement
Suspension of flights to Tel Aviv is extended
Following a missile attack near Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport on Sunday, SWISS has suspended flights between Zurich and the Israeli capital, initially until May 6.
But on Monday the airline announced the suspension is extended until May 11th at the earliest.
Affected passengers will be rebooked on alternative flights, if available.
Alternatively, SWISS is offering passengers a free rebooking to a later travel date or a refund of the ticket price.
If you have any questions about life in Switzerland, ideas for articles or news tips for The Local, please get in touch with us at news@thelocal.ch
