环保联盟递交8.5万签名 要求就瑞士—马来西亚自贸协定举行公投
“反对雨林砍伐联盟”10月5日（周一）向位于伯尔尼的联邦总理府递交了85,000个联署签名，要求就瑞士与马来西亚之间的自由贸易协定举行全民公投。签名数量已超过瑞士法律规定的可选公投门槛。
发起方担忧，协定将刺激马来西亚棕榈油扩大生产，加剧热带雨林砍伐，并指出协定在防止强迫劳动等方面的保障不足。棕榈油是马来西亚最重要的出口农产品之一，也是全球环保争议最集中的商品之一；瑞士消费市场每年进口大量棕榈油用于食品与日化工业。
瑞士实行直接民主制度：任何国际条约在议会通过后，若在规定期限内征集到足够数量的公民签名，即须付诸全民表决。该自贸协定此前已获联邦层面推进，公投若正式成立，投票日期将由联邦委员会排定。
支持协定的一方则强调，协议包含可持续发展条款，有助于瑞士企业进入东南亚市场。协定的最终命运，将取决于瑞士选民在公投中的选择。
来源：Keystone-SDA/swissinfo.ch 与 The Local 相关报道。
Campaigners Submit 85,000 Signatures for Referendum on Malaysia Trade Deal
An alliance campaigning against rainforest deforestation submitted 85,000 signatures to the Federal Chancellery in Bern on Monday 5 October, demanding a popular referendum on the free trade agreement between Switzerland and Malaysia. The tally exceeds the threshold required under Swiss law for an optional referendum.
The campaigners fear the agreement would encourage expanded palm oil production in Malaysia and accelerate tropical deforestation, and say the deal's safeguards — including on forced labour — are insufficient. Palm oil is one of Malaysia's most important agricultural exports and one of the world's most environmentally contested commodities; Switzerland imports substantial volumes for its food and consumer goods industries.
Under Switzerland's system of direct democracy, an international treaty approved by parliament must be put to a nationwide vote if enough signatures are gathered within the legal deadline. Should the referendum formally qualify, the Federal Council will set a voting date.
Supporters of the agreement stress that it contains sustainability provisions and improves Swiss companies' access to Southeast Asian markets. The deal's fate will ultimately rest with Swiss voters.
Sources: Keystone-SDA/swissinfo.ch and The Local reporting.
图片来源：马来西亚沙巴州的油棕种植园，CEphoto, Uwe Aranas 摄，CC BY-SA 3.0（Wikimedia Commons）
