Overview of Human Rights in Switzerland

Switzerland is a constitutional democracy with a federal structure. Elections are considered free and fair by international standards. The government works to respect the civil and human rights of its citizens. When individual abuses are reported, the law provides an effective means of dealing with the situation.

That said, security forces are known to occasionally use excessive force against detainees, minorities, and asylum seekers. Excessive and unwarranted force is also used to dismantle demonstrations and during deportation procedures. Investigations into these incidences have sometimes failed to be impartial, prompt, nor effective. 

Ethnically-motivated incidences against the African, Muslim, and Jewish population are a growing concern for the country. While the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance admits Switzerland has taken steps to combat racism and intolerance, it is concerned with the lack of anti-discrimination legislation. 

Overall, however, Switzerland has a very good record on human rights.

Human Development Index (HDI) Rank: 9th out of 177

Note: Human Development Index (HDI) is a composite index that measures the level of well-being of nations in the world. It uses factors such as poverty, literacy, life-expectancy, education, gross domestic product, and purchasing power parity to assess the average achievements in each nation. It has been used in the United Nation’s Human Development Report since 1993.