GENEVA (AP) — The lower house of Swiss parliament on Wednesday followed in the footsteps of the Senate, or upper house, in approving a measure that would ban the use of, public wearing or display of Nazi and racist symbols that could foment extremist hate or violence.
The proposal — years in the making — goes beyond a simple ban on Nazi memorabilia, which had failed in the past in parliament, to include other forms of extremist symbols that could stir hatred or violence. The National Council in the capital, Bern, in a 133-38 vote with 17 abstentions, passed
Most political groups backed the measure and overcame opposition from the right-wing Swiss People’s Party, which has the most seats in the two chambers. The vote puts Switzerland on track to join other European countries that have enacted similar bans.
Efforts to push for tougher legislation have accelerated in recent months in the wake of a surge of antisemitic attacks across Europe and beyond that accompanied the start of the latest Israel-Hamas war in Gaza more than six months ago.
The war erupted after militant groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people in Israel and seizing 250 as hostages. Israel responded with an offensive in Gaza that has caused widespread devastation and killed over 33,800 people, according to local health officials.
"Today in Switzerland, it's possible — even permitted — to fly a flag with a swastika on the balcony. It's possible to fly a flag with the image of the ‘SS’ on the windshield of your car. It's possible to make a Hitler salute in the public space," said Green lawmaker Raphael Mahaim, in a debate preceding the vote.
He said that until Wednesday's vote, such actions were banned only if they were linked to sympathy for Nazi ideology — not whether they spread it or stir hatred.
"This situation is intolerable," he added.
However, Zurich lawmaker Barbara Steinemann of the Swiss People's Party disagreed. “Our society must be able to deal with the fact that there will always be a base of a few insignificant cranks,” she said.
Steinemann further argued that the new law will do little to stop Jews from being afraid in an antisemitic climate. She alluded to the stabbing of a Jewish man early last month in Zurich, sending a chill through the Jewish community in Switzerland.
“Jews ... are taking their children out of schools, leaving Europe, because they no longer feel safe,” said Steinemann.
“A ban on symbols will prevent no attacks, prevent no antisemitic attitudes, which are also rife at our universities and in intellectual environments,” she added.
The measure will now head to the executive Federal Council for a finalized text that can be written into law by parliament.
Switzerland's National Councillors vote, during a special session of the National Council, in Bern, Switzerland, Wednesday, April 17, 2024. The lower house of Swiss parliament on Wednesday followed in the footsteps of the Senate, or upper house, in approving a measure that would ban the use of, public wearing or display of Nazi and racist symbols that could foment extremist hate or violence. (Peter Klaunzer /Keystone via AP)
Switzerland's Federal Councilor Beat Jans, speaks during a special session of the National Council, in Bern, Switzerland, Wednesday, April 17, 2024. The lower house of Swiss parliament on Wednesday followed in the footsteps of the Senate, or upper house, in approving a measure that would ban the use of, public wearing or display of Nazi and racist symbols that could foment extremist hate or violence. (Peter Klaunzer /Keystone via AP)
MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Southeast Asia was coping with a weekslong heat wave on Monday as record-high temperatures led to school closings in several countries and urgent health warnings throughout the region.
Millions of students in all public schools across the Philippines were ordered to stay home Monday after authorities canceled in-person classes for two days. The main advice for everyone, everywhere has been to avoid outdoor activities and drink plenty of water, but the young and the elderly were told to be especially careful.
Cambodia this year is facing the highest temperatures in 170 years, Chan Yutha, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology, told The Associated Press on Monday. His agency has forecast that temperatures in most parts of the country could reach up to 43 degrees Celsius (109 degrees Fahrenheit) this week.
Myanmar’s meteorological department said Monday that seven townships in the central Magway, Mandalay, Sagaing and Bago regions experienced record-high temperatures. Several towns in Myanmar last week were on lists of the hottest spots worldwide.
Chauk township in Magway, historically the country's hottest region, saw Myanmar’s highest temperature at 48.2 degrees Celsius (118.8 degrees Fahrenheit), breaking the previous record of 47.4 degrees Celsius (117.3 degrees Fahrenheit) set in 1968.
The Philippines is among the nations worst affected by the sweltering weather in Southeast Asia, where the intense tropical summer heat worsened by humidity forced class cancellations in recent weeks and sparked fears of water shortages, power outages and damage to agricultural crops.
The Department of Education ordered students in more than 47,000 public schools to switch to home-based and online learning due to health risks from record-high temperatures and a three-day strike starting Monday by drivers who oppose a government program they fear would remove dilapidated passenger jeepneys from streets.
Large crowds have sought relief in air-conditioned shopping malls in Metropolitan Manila, the congested capital region of more than 14 million people where the temperature soared to 38.8 degrees Celsius (101.84 Fahrenheit) Saturday, surpassing the record set decades ago, according to weather officials.
In Thailand, temperatures have topped 44 C (111 F) in some areas in the northern parts of the country, while the capital Bangkok and metropolitan areas have seen temperatures go above 40 C (104 F). The forecast from the Meteorological Department said this year’s summer, which usually lasts from late February to late May, is expected to be 1-2 degrees hotter than last year, and rainfall will be lower than average.
Thailand’s Department of Disease Control said last week that at least 30 people have died from heatstroke so far this year, compared to 37 for all of last year.
Scientists have said the number of heat-related deaths around the world has been rising significantly in recent years along with temperatures, but the trend in Asia this year so far is unclear, partly because of the question of how to classify deaths that appear to be heat related.
At least 34 people have fallen ill due to the extreme heat in the Philippines so far this year, including six who died. The Department of Health said it was verifying what exactly caused the deaths.
Media in Bangladesh reported that in a five-day period earlier this month, at least 20 people died from heatstroke.
In Cambodia, however, officials indicated there were few if any heat-related fatalities. The Khmer Times, an online news platform, quoted the head of the Health Department of Phnom Penh, the capital, saying there had been no heat-related deaths or collapses.
——-
Associated Press writers Sopheng Cheang in Phnom Penh, Cambodia and Jintamas Saksornchai in Bangkok contributed to this report.
Supporters of the National Democratic Alliance sit on the staircase to shield themselves from the heat as their candidates arrive to file nomination papers ahead of national elections in Mumbai, India, Monday, April 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)
People take rest a park near city hall and high court in Yangon, Myanmar, Monday, April 29, 2024. (AP Photo)
Ferry boat drivers wait for passengers to cross Yangon river, at a jetty in Yangon, Myanmar, Monday, April 29, 2024. (AP Photo)
Cambodian garment workers stand on a back truck as they wear scarfs and caps to protect themselves from hot sun during return home after a day's working at garment factory outside Phnom Penh Cambodia, Monday, April 29, 2024. Southeast Asia was coping with a weeks long heat wave on Monday as record-high temperatures led to school closings in several countries and urgent health warnings throughout the region. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)
Cambodian garment workers stand on a back truck as they wear scarfs and caps to protect themselves from hot sun during return home after a day's working at garment factory outside Phnom Penh Cambodia, Monday, April 29, 2024. Southeast Asia was coping with a weeks long heat wave on Monday as record-high temperatures led to school closings in several countries and urgent health warnings throughout the region. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)
Pedestrians walk cross a road near Sule pagoda im Yangon, Myanmar, Monday, April 29, 2024. (AP Photo)
Cambodian garment workers stand on a back truck as they wearing scarfs and caps to protect from the hot sun during return home after a day's working at garment factory outside Phnom Penh Cambodia, Monday, April 29, 2024. Southeast Asia was coping with a weeks long heat wave on Monday as record-high temperatures led to school closings in several countries and urgent health warnings throughout the region. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)
A vendor fixes his old umbrella as he prepares for another hot day in Manila, Philippines on Monday, April 29, 2024. Millions of students in all public schools across the Philippines were ordered to stay home Monday after authorities cancelled in-person classes for two days as an emergency step due to the scorching heat and a public transport strike. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
A man and woman use a cloth over their heads to protect them from the sun in Manila, Philippines on Monday, April 29, 2024. Millions of students in all public schools across the Philippines were ordered to stay home Monday after authorities cancelled in-person classes for two days as an emergency step due to the scorching heat and a public transport strike. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
A street vendor uses an umbrella to protect her from the sun along a street in Manila, Philippines on Monday, April 29, 2024. Millions of students in all public schools across the Philippines were ordered to stay home Monday after authorities cancelled in-person classes for two days as an emergency step due to the scorching heat and a public transport strike. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Street sweeper Rose Yatar uses sunblock on her face to protect her from the sun in Manila, Philippines on Monday, April 29, 2024. Millions of students in all public schools across the Philippines were ordered to stay home Monday after authorities cancelled in-person classes for two days as an emergency step due to the scorching heat and a public transport strike. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Parking attendant Andy Tinto uses laundry clips to put a blue towel over his cap to protect him from the sun as he assists cars in Manila, Philippines on Monday, April 29, 2024. Millions of students in all public schools across the Philippines were ordered to stay home Monday after authorities cancelled in-person classes for two days as an emergency step due to the scorching heat and a public transport strike. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
A teacher walks along an empty hallway as classes shift to online mode due to the hot weather at the Justo Lukban Elementary School in Manila, Philippines on Monday, April 29, 2024. Millions of students in all public schools across the Philippines were ordered to stay home Monday after authorities cancelled in-person classes for two days as an emergency step due to the scorching heat and a public transport strike. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
A worker reaches out for his water jug as he takes a break during a hot day in Manila, Philippines on Monday, April 29, 2024. Millions of students in all public schools across the Philippines were ordered to stay home Monday after authorities cancelled in-person classes for two days as an emergency step due to the scorching heat and a public transport strike. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
A vendor prepares his umbrella as hot days continue in Manila, Philippines on Monday, April 29, 2024. Millions of students in all public schools across the Philippines were ordered to stay home Monday after authorities cancelled in-person classes for two days as an emergency step due to the scorching heat and a public transport strike. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
A cat rests along an empty hallway as classes shift to online modes due to the hot weather at the Justo Lukban Elementary School in Manila, Philippines on Monday, April 29, 2024. Millions of students in all public schools across the Philippines were ordered to stay home Monday after authorities cancelled in-person classes for two days as an emergency step due to the scorching heat and a public transport strike. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
People walk under a shade during a hot day in Manila, Philippines on Monday, April 29, 2024. Millions of students in all public schools across the Philippines were ordered to stay home Monday after authorities cancelled in-person classes for two days as an emergency step due to the scorching heat and a public transport strike. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
A teacher arranges papers at an empty classroom as classes shifted to online mode at the Justo Lukban Elementary School in Manila, Philippines on Monday, April 29, 2024. Millions of students in all public schools across the Philippines were ordered to stay home Monday after authorities cancelled in-person classes for two days as an emergency step due to the scorching heat and a public transport strike. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
A teacher arranges papers at an empty classroom at the Justo Lukban Elementary School in Manila, Philippines on Monday, April 29, 2024. Millions of students in all public schools across the Philippines were ordered to stay home Monday after authorities cancelled in-person classes for two days as an emergency step due to the scorching heat and a public transport strike. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
FILE - A woman walks through spay water for cooling down from hot temperatures in Bangkok, Thailand, on April 9, 2024. Southeast Asia is coping with a weekslong heat wave as record-high temperatures have led to school closings in several countries and urgent health warnings throughout the region. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit, File)
FILE - Women eat ice cream in Bangkok, Thailand, on April 9, 2024. Southeast Asia is coping with a weekslong heat wave as record-high temperatures have led to school closings in several countries and urgent health warnings throughout the region. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit, File)
