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Friday, March 29, 2024

Monday, October 11th 2010

Europe-wide protests: Swiss Iran-policy under fire

STOP THE BOMB coalition protests against Swiss Iran-business

On Monday, October 11th, 4 pm, the European coalition STOP THE BOMB will rally in several European cities against the Swiss Iran-policy. The Vienna rally, which takes place in front of the Swiss embassy, will coincide with activities in Berlin, Duesseldorf, London and Zurich (see below).

Simone Dinah Hartmann, spokesperson of STOP THE BOMB, criticizes the Swiss government in Bern: "On a political level, Switzerland undermines the international sanctions regime. In supporting Iran's efforts to join the World Trade Organization, Switzerland turns itself into an advocate for the interests of the regime. The lip service paid by Switzerland's 'Human Rights Dialogue' serves as a convenient smoke screen for Tehran to cover up its crimes. In light of this it is no wonder that the representatives of Switzerland did not leave the room during Ahmadinejad's appearance before the UN."

Hartmann criticizes that in refusing to abide by the new EU and U.S. Sanctions, Switzerland keeps on acting as backers of the of the Iranian regime. "Companies like Holcim, Zeochem, Sulzer, ABB or Bühler keep the regime with their Iran-business alive. The tunnel engineering company Ceresole closed a million dollar deal with Rahab Engineering in Tehran this year."

With massive support from Swiss Foreign Minister Calmy-Rey, the energy company EGL signed a gas supply contract in the tens of billions with Iran in 2008. Although EGL meanwhile announced its intention to refrain from Iranian gas during the "initial phase" of the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline, they stress at the same time that the supply contract concluded with Iran will remain unaffected.

STOP THE BOMB demands the cancellation of themulti-billion dollar deal with the Iranian regime, the adoption of EU and USsanctions by Switzerland, and a stop to the Swiss support for Iran's aspirations to join the WTO.The coalition calls on Switzerland to support the Iranian opposition instead of continuing the dialogue with the regime.

 




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