A bill to ban Nazi symbols is being advanced in Switzerland, the country’s government said on Friday.
Displaying swastikas in public could result in a 200 Swiss franc ($250) fine, Reuters reported.
Tattoos of Nazi symbols or gestures such as the Hitler salute made in public, including online platforms and recorded media, are included in the proposed law as well, the report added.
The legislation grants exceptions for educational, scientific, cultural, and journalistic purposes.
The Federal Council, the federal Cabinet of the Swiss Confederation, said that the bill is necessary in light of an increase in antisemitic incidents in the country.
"Nazi symbols represent an ideology that despises human life and is contrary to the fundamental values of a democratic and liberal society,” said the council in a statement.
"Racism and antisemitism are unacceptable in our society.”
Until now, Swiss law has only allowed for the prosecution of people displaying Nazi symbols or glorifying the Third Reich if it was done for propaganda purposes.
The new bill, which parliament itself asked the government to draft in 2024, will see all displays criminalised unless they fall within the protected exceptions.
The government also indicated that the ban, if adopted by parliament, could later be extended to cover other, as yet unspecified extremist symbols and expressions.
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