The Swiss Federation of Jewish Communities (SIG) and the Platform of Liberal Jews of Switzerland (PLJS) have participated in the consultation process for a proposed law banning the public display of Nazi symbols. The two organisations have called for a clearer and more concise definition of prohibited symbols to ensure effective implementation and public acceptance of the legislation.
In December 2024, the Federal Council submitted the Federal Act on the Prohibition of the Public Use of National Socialist Symbols (VNSG) for consultation, following a prolonged parliamentary debate on the issue. The SIG and PLJS, longstanding advocates for such a ban, have welcomed the initiative, stressing that the public display of Nazi symbols is particularly distressing for Holocaust survivors and their descendants. They argue that these symbols represent antisemitism, dehumanisation, and the mass murder of Jews and other minorities, making their presence in public spaces intolerable.
While supporting the Federal Council’s objective, the Jewish organisations have raised concerns about the proposed open definition of National Socialist symbols in the legal text. They warn that such an approach could create uncertainty regarding what is prohibited and could lead to lengthy judicial processes before the Federal Supreme Court establishes clear precedent.
To address these concerns, the SIG propose a precise and explicit list of banned symbols, including the swastika, the Hitler salute, the SS double rune, the SS death’s head, and the yellow “Jewish star.”
They suggest that this list be incorporated into an ordinance accompanying the law, allowing for updates by the Federal Council without requiring a full legislative process.
The organisations also highlight the importance of aligning this approach with the second phase of the legislation, which will address the prohibition of racist, violent, and extremist symbols—an area where a defined list is even more necessary due to the broader range of interpretations.
The Jewish organisations argue that a clearly defined list of prohibited symbols would facilitate swift implementation and broad public support for the law. They caution that a vague or overly broad ban could lead to resistance, particularly if it includes symbols recognised only by experts and historians. The SIG and PLJS hope that their recommendations will be taken into account as the legislation moves forward, ensuring that the law is both effective and widely accepted.
