Sanctions against China are a delicate matter for Switzerland.
Keystone / Adrian Bradshaw
While the US and European Union slapped sanctions on China some time ago for its human rights abuses against minority Uyghurs, the Swiss government is still playing for time, writes the NZZ am Sonntag newspaper.
Bern has since March 2021 left open whether or not it would follow EU sanctions on Beijing, says the paper. After waiting a year and a half, the federal government discussed the issue for a second time in December but still did not reach a decision, and Brussels is getting impatient.
Asked about the December 9 meeting, the economics ministry told NZZ am Sonntag that the government had decided to examine “more deeply” the existing legal bases for sanctions. But the paper says the ministry’s words are at odds with the “meticulous groundwork of the federal administration where the legal clarifications regarding the sanctions have been ready for quite some time”.
More than a year ago, the EU imposed sanctions on selected Chinese Community Party officials and organisations over alleged human rights abuses of Uyghurs and other minority groups in the Xinjiang region. A UN report released at the end of August 2022 found evidence of abuses in Xinjiang which it said may amount to “crimes against humanity”.
Popular Stories
More
Culture
Wealth is not all: how gentrification in Zurich has led to housing shortage
Swisscom receives greenlight for acquisition of Vodafone Italia
This content was published on
The takeover of Vodafone Italia by Swisscom is nearing completion. All relevant authorities have now approved the €8 billion (CHF7.45 billion) deal.
Novo Nordisk stock market plunge drags down Swiss device maker Ypsomed
This content was published on
The Danish pharmaceutical giant, Novo Nordisk, faced setbacks on Friday that weighed on the share price of Swiss injection device manufacturer Ypsomed.
Swiss press react to EU deal with mix of euphoria and scepticism
This content was published on
Swiss media reaction to the agreement between Switzerland and the EU varies widely. Some are celebrating, while others worry about what is to come.
Swiss Solidarity donations to tackle child abuse top CHF4 million
This content was published on
Swiss Solidarity, the humanitarian arm of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SBC), has raised over CHF4 million ($4.3 million) to tackle child abuse.
EU Commission president says Swiss-EU deal is ‘historic’ agreement
This content was published on
At a joint media conference with Swiss President Viola Amherd in Bern, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen spoke of a "day of joy".
Switzerland and EU reach deal on future bilateral relations
This content was published on
Switzerland and the European Union have announced a political agreement to update their trading relationship after almost a decade of difficult talks.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
China’s ambassador warns ‘relations will suffer’ if Swiss adopt sanctions
This content was published on
Chinese-Swiss relations will suffer if Switzerland adopts European Union sanctions against China, says the country’s ambassador in Bern
Switzerland raises UN Xinjiang report with the Chinese ambassador
This content was published on
Switzerland raised concerns following the publication of a long-awaited United Nations report on human rights abuses against the Uyghur minority
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.