Geneva urgently stopped the "begging ban". Why did it suddenly do this?

On February 2nd, according to the report of Geneva Tribune, a Roma beggar was sentenced to five days' imprisonment by the Geneva police for begging illegally and not being able to pay the fine. Last week, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that Switzerland should pay her 1, Swiss francs (about 7,19 yuan) in compensation for mental damage, and said, regardless of the actual situation of beggars, what is the punishment for begging activities without any criminal nature? Immoral? . Geneva Attorney General Jonot then announced to the Geneva police that the execution would be suspended? Begging ban? .

Ironically, the provisions in the Geneva Criminal Law aimed at cracking down on begging were promoted by Jonot himself after a heated debate in 27.

Jonot believes that it is time for the government to decide to abolish or amend this law, for example, only punishing aggressive begging near tourist attractions or ATMs, taking children with them or instigating children to beg.

The European Court of Human Rights holds that begging should not constitute a crime because it is indecent. People are often frightened by drunken people or pets in the street, and it is unreasonable to legislate to ban them just because they hinder themselves. The Swiss begging ban was controversial from the beginning

On October 1, 218, the Swiss federal court officially confirmed that the controversial begging ban in Vaud will be implemented. At the same time, the court rejected the complaint filed by the opponents. It is determined that this practice of the relevant departments of Vaud did not violate the European Convention on Human Rights.

Opponents believe that this law is discriminatory because it targets at the weak. However, the Swiss Supreme Court refuted these allegations, saying that the law can actually protect those who are coerced into begging by organized beggars' networks. Now this ban can be formally implemented.

According to the Vaud Law on the Prohibition of Begging, begging in the street will be fined 5-1 Swiss francs (about 349-698 RMB), and those who organize beggar gangs or use children to beg will be fined 5-2 Swiss francs. Those who are unable to pay the fine or refuse to pay the fine will be sentenced to imprisonment according to law.

It is reported that in Switzerland, the laws and regulations on begging are different in different states and administrative regions. Begging has been completely banned in Geneva, Zurich and other places, but some people doubt whether the formal ban will work. Begging has been banned in Geneva since 28, but there are still thousands of beggars begging along the street, mainly Roma. In 216, the relevant authorities in Lausanne voted on the law. Opponents have proposed various schemes to replace the comprehensive ban, such as stipulating when and where begging can be legally begged, or issuing special begging permits. The court rejected these proposals, arguing that these practices only passed on the problem and were not enough to solve it. Begging bans hit the most vulnerable groups

Since the implementation of the new law in November 218, On that day, almost all the beggars sitting in the street disappeared. Among the beggars in Lausanne, there are marginalized people and drug addicts, but most of them are Roma from Romania. Most of them fled overnight. They are very scared and frightened, afraid that the police will put them in prison.

St. Ezekiel is a Christian group, working with Opre Rrom and Point d? Appui and other associations have cooperated for many years to provide opportunities for beggars' children to go to school. But the ban? It has had a disastrous impact on all these aid work. She kept in touch with some Roma families after they left: most of them went to France or Germany and were displaced by expulsion.

v? ra Tch? r? Missinoff pointed out that? This ban has hit the most vulnerable groups, leaving people who are ill and unable to be self-sufficient with no place to live. This group is pushed farther and farther and trampled lower and lower. Far from improving their situation, they have been struggling for survival. ? When begging became a crime

One year after the new law came into effect, Lausanne city officials said? Very satisfied? He thinks the effect of the law is immediate. Located in Lausanne, the Swiss Western University of Applied Sciences (Haute? cole sp? cialis? Jean-Pierre Tabin, a professor at e de Suisse occidentale, said? If our aim is to drive beggars to other places instead of really solving the problem, we can say that we are quite successful. ? In 21, he was entrusted by the state government of Vaud to take part in leading a study to assess whether there were children involved in begging activities in Lausanne. After a lot of observation, the researchers concluded that children were not involved.

after the law prohibiting begging came into effect, Professor Jean-Pierre Tabin continued his research: Being destitute and begging for alms have become crimes, as have being homeless and sleeping on the street. This is to criminalize poverty. ?

Researchers have pointed out a series of consequences of making begging illegal:

First, social problems have become public order problems, which has increased the burden on the police.

Secondly, the beggar was fined but unable to pay, then he urged to pay the bill, filed a lawsuit, and finally was detained for several days. If they are not Swiss, will they be defined as? Foreign criminals? And then may be punished by law and deported. Begging is widely restricted in Switzerland

At present, 15 of the 26 Swiss states prohibit begging in all parts of the state:

Vaud, Geneva (Gen? Ve), Neucha tel (Neuch? Tel), Fribourg, Glaris, Schaffhouse, Zoug, Grisons, Zurich state, Thurgovie, Basel (B? Le-Ville), oval and other states (Obwald), Saint-Gall, Argovie and Ticino. Some of them punish begging in general, while others just punish those? Invasive? Begging.

Other cities have also written the prohibition of begging into police regulations, such as Porrentruy in Jura, Martigny in Valais, or Lyss in bern state.

Jean-Pierre Tabin pointed out that in other western countries, whether France, Belgium, Germany or Quebec, their measures are very similar to Switzerland. Begging is prohibited in many towns, while others are prohibited only in certain areas or only during the tourist season.

I don't know what you think about begging. Do you support a total ban on begging?