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Switzerland

Monthly Event Reports

March 2023 | Parliament holds first session for people with disabilities

The Parliament held its first ever special session for people living with disabilities. Only 44 of the 200 seats in the House of Representatives were filled to symbolize the 22 per cent (1.8 million people) of the Swiss population with disabilities. The session convened people with disabilities from across Switzerland as representatives, chosen in a public online vote organized by Pro Firmis, a disability rights NGO. At the close of the session, a resolution was adopted geared towards strengthening political representation, including through voting without hindrance and access to information about the election, and the creation of an extra-parliamentary Disability Commission to improve consultation with people with disabilities as experts. The Federal Council ordered the Interior Ministry to lead the review of the Disability Equality Act, enacted in 2002, to improve the participation of people with disabilities in society, including through protections against workplace discrimination and in equal access to services.

December 2022 | “Only yes means yes” law approved by lower parliamentary house

Lawmakers in the National Council agreed to expand the definition of rape to comprise sexual acts without explicit consent, as opposed to being limited to cases where the victim has resisted. The vote narrowly passed with 99 votes in favour, 88 against, and three abstentions. The bill will be sent to the upper parliamentary chamber, the Council of States, and from there is likely to be put to a referendum. The Council of Europe had urged Switzerland to update its consent laws in November to bring the law in line with the Istanbul Convention.

October 2022 | UN report shows racial discrimination ubiquitous

A report from the United Nations Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent was delivered to the Human Rights Council with the conclusions of its visit to Switzerland in January 2022. The report finds that racial discrimination is prevalent and misconduct is often committed with impunity, and concludes that a systemic problem exists. The report recognizes recent positive steps, acknowledging the role of civil society and in particular initiatives led by people of African descent, while highlighting persistent structural problems (including in employment, education, health, and housing). It also points out gaps in the legal framework and institutions, including a disconnect between the national and cantonal levels undermining the implementation of international treaty commitments.

Explore past monthly event reports

GSoD Indices Data 2013-2022

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Basic Information

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Population Tooltip
8 697 720
System of government
Federal Republic
Head of government
President Alain Berset (since 2023)
Head of government party
Social Democratic Party
Electoral system for lower or single chamber
List Proportional Representation
Women in lower or single chamber
41.7%
Women in upper chamber
28.9%
Last legislative election
2019
Effective number of political parties Tooltip
6.47
Head of state
President Alain Berset
Selection process for head of state
Indirect election (assembly)
Latest Universal Periodic Review (UPR) date
27/01/2023
Latest Universal Periodic Review (UPR) percentage of recommendations supported
63.75%
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Human Rights Treaties

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State Party State party
Signatory Signatory
No Action No action
United Nations Human Right Treaties
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
State Party
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
State Party
International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination
State Party
Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women
State Party
Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment
State Party
Convention on the Rights of the Child
State Party
International Convention on Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families
No Action
International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance 
State Party
International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
State Party
International Labour Organisation Treaties
Forced Labour Convention
State Party
Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention
State Party
Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention
State Party
Equal Remuneration Convention
State Party
Abolition of Forced Labour Convention
State Party
Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention
State Party
Convention concerning Minimum Age for Admission to Employment
State Party
Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention
State Party
Regional Treaties
Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms
State Party
Protocol to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms
Signatory
Protocol No. 4 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms
No Action
Protocol No. 6 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms
State Party
Protocol No. 7 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms
State Party
Protocol No. 12 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms
No Action
Protocol No. 13 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms
State Party
in
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Categories of Democratic Performance

Representation neutral Representation
Apr 2023
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Representation neutral Rights
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Representation neutral Rule of law
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Representation neutral Participation
Apr 2023
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Global State of Democracy Indices

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Representation
Representation
0
/1
high 0.7-1.0
mid 0.4-0.7
low 0.0-0.4
Rights
Rights
0
/1
high 0.7-1.0
mid 0.4-0.7
low 0.0-0.4
Rule of Law
Rule of Law
0
/1
high 0.7-1.0
mid 0.4-0.7
low 0.0-0.4
Participation
Participation
0
/1
high 0.7-1.0
mid 0.4-0.7
low 0.0-0.4
Annual value

Factors of Democratic Performance Over Time

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