The Swiss vote to ban homophobic discriminationFebruary 10, 2020 - 11:02 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Switzerland voted on Sunday to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation, Deutsche Welle reports. The country's referendum-based direct democracy takes many divisive issues to the populace if enough people demand it. Sunday, February 9's referendum decided on legislation that specifically outlawed hate speech and discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation with jail terms of up to three years. The criminal code currently covers discrimination based on race, ethnicity and religion. About 62% of voters favored the legislation, with most parties backing the amendment to protect the gay, lesbian and bisexual community. However, the right-wing Swiss People's Party (SVP) — the strongest party in parliament — opposed the law. The SVP argued that migrants have imported homophobic views and that social dialogue and expulsion of foreign perpetrators would be more effective. The change was first passed by Swiss parliament in 2018, but it was forced to a referendum after critics said it would stifle free speech. The law outlaws: - Publicly denigrating or discriminating against someone for being gay. - Inciting hatred against a gay person in text, speech, images or gestures. - Operators of restaurants, cinemas and public facilities such as swimming pools discriminating based on sexual orientation. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Power of One Dram sums up two-year program with Teach for Armenia Idram Junior also joined the companies during the visit, bringing with it a fascinating intellectual game for children Moscow slams EU mission in Armenia for “provocative activity” The EU mission is doing more and more against Armenia’s neighbors Russia, Azerbaijan and Iran, Mikhail Galuzin said. Yerevan Mayor to travel to Paris on May 15-19 The official delegation headed by Yerevan Mayor Tigran Avinyan will travel to Paris from May 15 to 19. Armenia, India hold first defense consultations The meeting was attended by Indian Ambassador Nilakshi Saha Sinha and Defense Attaché Brigadier General Naveen Nijhawan. |