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#4m2 action during COVID-19 pandemic in Geneva, Switzerland - decision

Litigation

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In May 2020, an online initiative named ‘#4m2’ enjoined participants from the Swiss climate movement to symbolically occupy various public places in Switzerland for fifteen minutes a day by silently sitting or standing in the middle of self-drawn squares. The goal of the action was to demand ‘a more sustainable post-pandemic society’. On the 6th of May, 4 people taking part in the action in Geneva were arrested and charged through a penal order with a fine of 600 CHF each for not respecting the ban on gatherings of more than 5 people (article 7c of the Ordinance 2 COVID 19) and for refusing to comply with police orders (article 10 LMDPu). 

In September 2021, the regional court (first instance) was unable to determine whether the gathering involved more than 5 people and noting participants' compliance with police orders within a reasonable timeframe, acquitted three activists of the aforementioned charges. The court convicted the remaining person on the grounds of article 10 LMDPu for its reluctance to comply with police orders, but did not pronounce a sentence (according to article 52 of the Swiss Criminal Code).

#4m2 action during COVID-19 pandemic in Geneva, Switzerland

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An aim to achieve a quantifiable outcome within a given time-frame, set by an institution such as a national government.

Policy instruments are techniques or tools used by governing authorities to promote certain policies in order to achieve predetermined goals. Put simply, instruments are how a government tries to achieve its goals, with this taxonomy being focused on national policy instruments.

Risk is the potential for adverse consequences resulting from the dynamic interplay between (climate-related) hazards, exposure, and vulnerability of affected human or ecological systems.

Groups  of people who are adversely affected by climate change or the response to it

A set of principles, processes, and practices that build economic and political power to shift from an extractive economy to a regenerative economy.

Renewable energy means all forms of energy produced from renewable sources in a sustainable manner.

Fossil fuel is a generic term for non-renewable energy sources such as coal, fossil gas, and oil (including crude oil, and petroleum products), that can be used for electricity and heat generation. Fossil fuels are hydrocarbons formed from pressurised and heated organic material buried over millions of years.

Molecules in the atmosphere that play a key role in the greenhouse effect by trapping heat radiating from Earth’s surface.

Area of the economy in which actors engage in identical or related activities.

In human systems, the process of adjustment to actual or expected climate change and its effects, in order to moderate harm, increase resilience or exploit beneficial opportunities. In natural systems, the process of adjustment to actual climate change and its effects; human intervention may facilitate adjustment to expected climate change and its effects.

The management and allocation of funds, assets and investments to meet various objectives

This sector creates and distributes information and entertainment through television, radio, print, and digital platforms.

Oil is a combustible liquid fossil fuel composed mainly of hydrocarbons, occurring as crude oil and refined into petroleum products such as petrol, diesel and kerosene.

Either money or something of monetary value is transferred between two or more organisations, people or countries.

Activities that involve planning, designing and building infrastructure, residential, and commercial structures.

A ban is a legal action that prevents the sale or supply of a product or service, or that recalls a product from the market. Examples are bans on SF6, greenwashing, fossil fuel advertisement or single-use plastics.

Fossil gas, commonly known as natural gas, is a fossil fuel consisting chiefly of methane with smaller amounts of other hydrocarbons and trace gases, found in underground deposits.

#4m2 action during COVID-19 pandemic in Geneva, Switzerland - decision

Policy instrument

Fossil fuel

Economic sector

Finance