Switzerland
2026
- GOVERNMENT
- formally a confederation, but has a structure similar to a federal republic
- CONSTITUTION
- revision of the 1874 constitution adopted by referendum in April 1999, in effect from January 1, 2000
- LEGAL SYSTEM
- civil law incorporating some customary norms
- LEGISLATIVE SYSTEM
- bicameral Federal Assembly, Council of States (Ständerat) and National Council (Nationalrat)
- JUDICIAL SYSTEM
- Federal Supreme Court, judges are appointed by Parliament for 6 years
RELIGIONS
41.8% Catholics; 35.3% Protestants; 4.3% Muslims; other minorities
From the country
- MARCH 31, 2005SwitzerlandDEATH PENALTY
ISLAM. TARIQ RAMADAN CALLS FOR MORATORIUM ON DEATH PENALTY IN MUSLIM WORLD
a prominent Muslim intellectual in Europe, Tariq Ramadan, has called for a moratorium on corporal punishment, stoning and the death penalty in the Muslim world.
- JANUARY 1, 2005SwitzerlandDEATH PENALTY
After abolishing the death penalty for ordinary crimes in 1942, Switzerland became fully abolitionist in 1992.
After abolishing the death penalty for ordinary crimes in 1942, Switzerland became fully abolitionist in 1992.
- APRIL 21, 2004SwitzerlandDEATH PENALTY
Switzerland was a cosponsor of the resolution on the...
Switzerland was a cosponsor of the resolution on the death penalty at the 60th UN Commission on Human Rights
- APRIL 8, 2004SwitzerlandDEATH PENALTY
After abolishing the death penalty for ordinary crimes in 1942, Switzerland became fully abolitionist in 1992.
After abolishing the death penalty for ordinary crimes in 1942, Switzerland became fully abolitionist in 1992.
- JANUARY 22, 2004SwitzerlandDEATH PENALTY
The Swiss Federal Council and other European countries...
The Swiss Federal Council and other European countries should concede political asylum to the People's Mujahedin members living in Iraq, over whom hangs the threat of expulsion
- APRIL 24, 2003SwitzerlandDEATH PENALTY
Switzerland was a cosponsor of the resolution on the...
Switzerland was a cosponsor of the resolution on the death penalty approved by the UN Commission on Human Rights, in Geneva
- JANUARY 1, 2003SwitzerlandDEATH PENALTY
Switzerland was one of the first three countries, along...
Switzerland was one of the first three countries, along with Malta and Ireland, that on May 3, 2002 signed and ratified Protocol No 13 to the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms banning the death penalty in all circumstances
- JANUARY 1, 2003SwitzerlandDEATH PENALTY
The last execution was conducted in 1944
The last execution was conducted in 1944
- JANUARY 1, 2003SwitzerlandDEATH PENALTY
After abolishing the death penalty for ordinary crimes...
After abolishing the death penalty for ordinary crimes in 1942, Switzerland became fully abolitionist in 1992
- OCTOBER 27, 2002SwitzerlandDEATH PENALTY
Iran said it was happy to discuss its stance on human...
Iran said it was happy to discuss its stance on human rights issues such as hanging with concerned European countries, but wouldn't change it
- OCTOBER 13, 2002SwitzerlandDEATH PENALTY
Hani Ramadan, 43, a Geneva-born junior high school...
Hani Ramadan, 43, a Geneva-born junior high school teacher and also director of the Geneva Islamic Centre, was suspended by Cantonal authorities after he wrote an article for the French newspaper Le Monde in which he defended death by stoning for adultery
- OCTOBER 11, 2002SwitzerlandDEATH PENALTY
The International Secretariat of the World Organisation...
The International Secretariat of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) expressed deeply concerned by the sentencing to death by stoning of 32 year-old Fatima Usman and 35 year-old Ahmed Ibrahim, in Nigeria