Petition for the release of hostages: Together for humanity

The signatories of the petition demand

Petition to the Federal Council regarding the situation in Israel and the Gaza Strip, particularly in connection with the hostages held there.

Point 1: Increased Swiss participation in the UN Security Council:

As a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, Switzerland plays a mediating role and actively advocates for human rights. It also promotes transparency, accountability and the inclusion of non-members in the work of the Council. Switzerland has a unique opportunity to coordinate veto powers and leverage its neutral position in this complex political environment. A move in the UN Security Council to address the situation of missing persons (hostages) in the Gaza Strip in conjunction with other relevant aspects such as condemnation of Hamas' terrorist acts, recognition of Israel's right to self-defense and compliance with international humanitarian law in the Gaza Strip is of the utmost relevance and should be take the form of a resolution that is binding under international law.

Point 2: Active role as depositary state of the Geneva Convention:

Switzerland acts as a depositary state of the Geneva Conventions in an essential function by ensuring the protection and support of hostages. This includes granting access to the hostages, providing humanitarian assistance, ensuring medical care and facilitating contact with their relatives. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has already expressed its willingness to implement these measures on its website.

Point 3: Budget for hostage situation:

At its meeting on November 1, 2023, the Federal Council decided to submit to Parliament a request for additional funds of 90 million Swiss francs for humanitarian aid in Israel, Gaza and neighboring countries (see below). The Federal Council should expressly state that part of this budget, for example from the ICRC's funds (15 million), must be used to free the held hostages. To ensure transparency, it is necessary to list how these funds are being used for the hostage situation. If necessary, the Federal Council is commissioned to subsequently request this addendum in Parliament. This is not about increasing the total amount (the 90 million remains unchanged), but rather about creating a special fund within the budget for the hostage situation.

Point 4: Offer of brokerage services

In the past, Switzerland has successfully acted as a mediator and negotiating partner in complex international situations. It is crucial that Switzerland uses all available options and resources to act as a mediator for the release of the hostages. Regardless of the conclusions of the task force (TFNO) and the Federal Council's handling of the classification of Hamas as a terrorist organization and its possible effects, it is of the utmost importance that Switzerland falls back on its tried and tested "good offices". The Federal Council is called upon to explore all possible avenues, to fulfill its historic role as mediator and to actively use its diplomatic resources to take advantage of the "good offices" in Gaza and to achieve the safe release of all hostages.

[1] https://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/de/home/das-eda/publikationen.html/content/publikationen/de/eda/menschenrechte-humanitaeres-migration/Leitlinien_Menschenrechte_2021_2024
[2] https://www.aplusforpeace.ch/switzerlands-priorities
[3] https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1951/228_230_226/de
[4] https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1951/300_302_297/de
[5] https://www.icrc.org/de/document/israel-und-besetzte-gebiete-ikrk-hilft-bei-freilassung-von-geiseln-in-gaza

[6] https://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/de/home/das-eda/aktuell/news.html/content/eda/de/meta/news/2023/11/1/98421.html
[7] https://www.admin.ch/gov/de/start/dokumentation/medienmitteilungen.msg-id-98145.html