Criminal law Federal Council is skeptical about the statute of limitations for murder
The Federal Council is skeptical about the statute of limitations for murder. There are important reasons against the reform proposed by a committee of the Council of States. However, the government considers it politically opportune to examine the issue.
12.02.2025, 12:05
SDA
This was communicated by the Federal Council in a statement on Wednesday. It states that the interest of the bereaved in the clarification and punishment of a serious crime should be taken seriously. However, the statute of limitations cannot always satisfy the interests of the victim. Especially when the abolition of the statute of limitations could raise false hopes among the surviving dependants that the perpetrator will be convicted.
In October of last year, the Legal Affairs Committee of the Council of States (RK-S) decided to submit a controversial bill to the Council to enshrine the statute of limitations for murder in the Criminal Code. The bill is based on a state initiative from the canton of St. Gallen.
