| Tipping point? |
Many on the left who were against the decision argued such a plan was against Switzerland’s Constitution, the European Convention on Human Rights and the Geneva Conventions.
According to the Swiss Constitution, "no one can be returned to the territory of a state in which he is at risk of torture or any other cruel and inhuman punishment or treatment", the socialist Swiss Minister of Justice Pascale Bruderer recalled.
"Switzerland would play the game of executioners in contravention of the principle of non-refoulement", said Bruderer.
However, the argument that Switzerland’s security was more important than the fate of deported terrorists found favour with a majority of the house. The vote was marginal, but the motion was finally passed by 22 votes to 18.
Independent Thomas Minder noted that "it is about the sovereignty of the country".
The text specifically concerns persons convicted of terrorist acts who still represent a danger to the security of Switzerland after the execution of their sentence.