Switzerland: Crisis plans
01 September 1996
The Swiss government (Federal Council) and the Military Department are planning to rearm the Swiss Army for action within the country in times of crisis. The Ordnungsdienst, a special military unit trained to support the police in times of social crisis, is to be equipped with 118 million Swiss Francs worth of "less-lethal" weapons. These include 12 tanks, armoured vehicles, teargas and rubber-shot and handcuffs. The decision will be made by decree, preventing any possible discussion or intervention through referendum.
The Ordnungsdienst has faced repeated demands for its abolition since the unit shot dead thirteen unarmed demonstrators in 1932. It is ironical that the reformed and newly equipped Ordnungsdienst should be given the role of supporting the police in large-scale demonstrations or "riots". It will also be used to police frontiers to prevent "streams of refugees threatening to come into Switzerland" and other similarly improbable situations.