Swiss Vote to Ban Swastika in Crackdown on Extremist Symbols

Switzerland’s parliament on Wednesday approved a motion to ban the Nazis’ swastika emblem as part of a crackdown on extremist symbols in the neutral country.

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“Racially discriminatory, violent, extremist and especially National Socialist symbols have no place in our society and should not be used in public,” Justice Minister Beat Jans told parliament.

The legal commission of the lower house recommended a speedy implementation of the ban, which has already been approved by the Swiss upper house.

The cabinet must now draft legislation that makes it illegal to wear, publicly display or spread racist, violent or extremist symbols. The ban would extend to propaganda materials, gestures, slogans and flags.

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Under current Swiss law, displaying symbols is only illegal if they promote a racist ideology.

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