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
- MAY 3, 2002SwitzerlandDEATH PENALTY
Switzerland signed and ratified Protocol 13 to the...
Switzerland signed and ratified Protocol 13 to the European Convention on Human Rights, which ensures the abolition of the death penalty in all circumstances
- APRIL 18, 2002SwitzerlandDEATH PENALTY
The Swiss foreign minister, Joseph Deiss spoke in favour...
The Swiss foreign minister, Joseph Deiss spoke in favour of human rights in Pakistan during talks with the country's justice minister, Khalid Ranjha, in Islamabad
- JANUARY 26, 2002SwitzerlandDEATH PENALTY
China is willing to improve its human rights record...
China is willing to improve its human rights record but progress may be slow, according to Swiss delegates returning from talks in Beijing
- JANUARY 1, 2002SwitzerlandDEATH PENALTY
After abolishing the death penalty for ordinary crimes...
After abolishing the death penalty for ordinary crimes in 1942, Switzerland has been fully abolitionist since 1992; the last execution was conducted in 1944
- OCTOBER 25, 2001SwitzerlandDEATH PENALTY
Too many children suffer from armed conflict and exploitation,...
Too many children suffer from armed conflict and exploitation, delegates told the Third Committee at the UN General Assembly as the discussion on children continued
- APRIL 25, 2001SwitzerlandDEATH 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 on April 25, 2001
- FEBRUARY 13, 2001SwitzerlandDEATH PENALTY
Death row inmate Stanley 'Tookey' Williams was nominated...
Death row inmate Stanley 'Tookey' Williams was nominated for the Nobel prize by a Swiss parliamentarian
- JANUARY 1, 2001SwitzerlandDEATH PENALTY
After abolishing the death penalty for ordinary crimes...
After abolishing the death penalty for ordinary crimes in 1942, Switzerland has been fully abolitionist since 1992; the last execution was conducted in 1944
- NOVEMBER 20, 2000SwitzerlandDEATH PENALTY
Death row inmate and street gang co-founder Stanley...
Death row inmate and street gang co-founder Stanley "Tookie" Williams has been nominated for the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize
- APRIL 26, 2000SwitzerlandDEATH PENALTY
Switzerland cosponsored the resolution on the death...
Switzerland cosponsored the resolution on the death penalty approved by the UN Commission on Human Rights on April 26 (no
- MARCH 21, 2000SwitzerlandDEATH PENALTY
At the 56° session of the Commission on Human Rights,...
At the 56° session of the Commission on Human Rights, Minister for Foreign Affairs Joseph Deiss stated that his government was concerned about the way in which the death penalty continued to be applied in certain countries, including the United States, be
- FEBRUARY 29, 2000SwitzerlandDEATH PENALTY
The Swiss Federal Council and the Albanian Government...
The Swiss Federal Council and the Albanian Government signed an agreement in Bern