Swiss citizens are leading the way

Two weeks ago, a delegation of 20 Swiss citizens travelled to Brussels to campaign for the release of Jacques Baud from his sanctions prison and thereby send a message in support of freedom of expression. The programme also included a visit to the Swiss Embassy in Brussels and the submission of a letter to the ambassador there, Jacques Pitteloud (see box). More than ten Freundschaftstrychler 1 (friendship bell ringers) were present, drawing attention to the delegation’s cause with traditional bell ringing. The visit to Brussels was initiated by Vital Burger from the Swiss movement “Nous sommes Jacques”. The documentary “For a Swiss citizen, Jacques Baud: Protest against EU sanctions outside the embassy in Brussels” can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RU_9RUXtMUM. Burger summed up the aim of the campaign in the following words: “We are here in Brussels today to send a clear message that we do not stand idly by when a fellow citizen is punished for expressing their views. The right to freedom of expression is a fundamental right enshrined in our constitution, and we want to make it clear that this is not acceptable. The Swiss Embassy here in Brussels has to follow its directives from Bern, and the current Foreign Minister is not particularly active in this regard. We do not know which powers are pulling the strings here, and whether he is truly representing only Swiss interests.”
    The Swiss had also brought Jacques Baud some food, each in their own way. The Berlin-based journalist Patrik Baab, who was accompanying the tour group, captured the handover of the gifts from Switzerland in his video report (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11hNvX4mBm0&t=624s): cheese, bread, sausage, butter, honey, jam, tea, biscuits and more. Baud is visibly moved as he thanks the delegation: “I am touched that you have come here. A piece of Switzerland coming to Belgium. I would, of course, like to thank you all for everything – first and foremost for your presence, but also for everything you have brought with you. […] It’s absolutely wonderful to have people like this in Switzerland and to be able to count on people like you as friends – because I consider you friends. Thank you very much for coming here.”
    At the Swiss Embassy, the delegation was received by the chargé d’affaires and deputy head of mission, Léonard Graf, to the sound of cowbells ringing out, and the letter signed by the delegation members was handed over (see box).
    One participant commented after the visit to the embassy: “I am concerned about the situation we have in Switzerland, particularly regarding freedom of expression. […] And that is why I said I would come along; I want to do something, because what is happening with Jacques Baud – these sanctions – is simply unacceptable. I think the Swiss representation is not doing enough. I think it’s very positive that the chargé d’affaires received us, but I didn’t find the answers satisfactory. […] They haven’t done enough for him. What are the reasons? Are they afraid? What are they afraid of? Are they being put under pressure? I suspect so. But I don’t know if that’s the case or where it’s coming from.”
    And in response to the interviewer’s remark in the video recording of the visit: “As a Swiss citizen, you’re now standing up for a fellow Swiss citizen”, she continues: “That’s exactly right. Otherwise, we’ll all end up being sheep and won’t be able to say what we want anymore. I have a German friend who is very afraid. She didn’t come with us because she still has relatives in Germany. She has now been naturalised in Switzerland. She didn’t come with us because she’s afraid that she’ll no longer be in good standing in Germany either. And I think that’s absolutely, absolutely terrible.”

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On 28 March, the Berlin-based journalist Hüseyin Doğru posted a plea for help on X. Doğru has been subject to extrajudicial sanctions by the EU since May last year. His accounts have been frozen, and anyone who helps him is liable to prosecution. Doğru lives with his wife and three young children on a monthly allowance of 506 euros, which was granted to him to cover “basic needs”. A local court had rejected an urgent application by Doğru to have the restrictions on his account eased. A few days later, the situation for the Doğru family deteriorated further. This is evident from the following international appeal for help:
    “!!! HUMANITARIAN EMERGENCY CALL !!! As of yesterday, German authorities seized the bank accounts of my wife. She is not sanctioned and has committed no crime. As of now we have only ca. 104 euros left – with two new-born babies and one 7-year-old child!!!”
    There is an urgent need for strong protest from upright citizens. •