An eight-year attempt to impose the ban, carried out by several politicians and a number of social associations, ended in failure. The initiative was born in response to the increasing presence of neo-Nazi groups during the Swiss national holiday on August 1, which is traditionally celebrated in the Rütli field in the canton of Uri. Skinheads regularly appear there with flags with swastikas, SS and other Nazi symbols.
Under Swiss law from 1995, it is illegal to display racist and Nazi slogans. However, symbols such as the swastika are allowed “as long as they are not used to promote” banned ideologies. This vague provision provides an easy entry point for neo-Nazis, since it is difficult to prove in a Swiss court that someone carrying a flag with a swastika promotes Nazism.
The lower house of parliament, most cantons and the police supported the change in the law. However, the federal government unexpectedly opposed the change. It argued that it would create more confusion because neo-Nazis also use codes – for example, the number 88 means “Heil Hitler”. The upper house of parliament agreed with the government’s view.
