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8. On 28 November 2010, the Swiss voters approved the people’s initiative on the expulsion of foreign criminals. The initiative can be interpreted in such a way that it gives effect to the principle of non-refoulement. That is why the Federal Assembly did not declare the initiative invalid and submitted it to the vote of the people and the cantons. 9. In December 2010, the Swiss Minister of Justice, Simonetta Sommaruga, set up a working group to study the different juridical and legislative aspects of the implementation of the new constitutional provision. The mandate of the group, whose work is still under way, includes clarifying aspects involving international public law. 10. As in all ordinary legislative processes, the Federal Council will next draw up a legislative proposal, which will be opened to public consultation, and will then prepare a message and a bill for submission to the Parliament. The Government will do its utmost to ensure that the Parliament adopts a law that takes into account both the wishes of the voters, as expressed at the ballot box, and the country’s international obligations. Pursuant to the Federal Constitution, all State bodies must uphold international law when making, enacting or implementing laws (art. 5, para. 4, of the Constitution).
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