The human rights organisation Amnesty International has criticised Switzerland's dealings with Palestinian NGOs. Stopping cooperation with three such organisations would foster mistrust towards Palestinian civil society.
The Federal Council did not adequately justify its decision to cancel the contracts, Amnesty International announced on Tuesday. It had not explained which statements by the organisations concerned were considered hate speech under international law. However, this transparency would have been necessary.
According to the communiqué, the decision contradicts the priorities of Swiss foreign policy. This places the protection of those who defend human rights at the centre. ...