Switzerland // 46 States, one Europe

Switzerland joined the Council of Europe on 6 May 1963

Action of the Council of Europe in Switzerland

 


Prevention of torture

The European Committee for the prevention of torture visits places of detention (for juvenile or immigration detainees, police stations, psychiatric hospitals) in order to assess how persons deprived of their liberty are treated.

Visits and reports

 


Fight against racism

The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) is an independent monitoring body which provides member States with concrete and practical advice on how to tackle problems of racism and intolerance in their country.

Reports

 


Protection of social rights

The European Social Charter is a Council of Europe treaty which guarantees social and economic human rights. It was adopted in 1961 and revised in 1996. The European Committee of Social Rights rules on the conformity of the situation in States with the European Social Charter, the 1988 Additional Protocol and the Revised European Social Charter.

Factsheets

 Reports

 


Protection of minorities

The Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities provides for a monitoring system to evaluate how the treaty is implemented in State Parties. An advisory Committee adopts recommendations to improve minority protection.

 Documents

 


Fight against corruption

The Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) monitors member states' compliance with the Council of Europe anti-corruption standards with the objective to improve the capacity of its members to fight corruption.

Evaluations

 


Fight against money laundering


MONEYVAL Committee of experts

The committee evaluates the effectiveness of domestic measures to counter money laundering and the financing of terrorism in Council of Europe member states which are not members of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). Council of Europe member states which are members of MONEYVAL but subsequently become members of the FATF can elect to retain full membership of MONEYVAL. Applicant states for membership and other non-member states which are not members of the FATF may apply to join the terms of reference under certain conditions.

 Evaluations


COP198

The Conference of the Parties under the Council of Europe Convention on Laundering, Search, Seizure and Confiscation of the Proceeds from Crime and on the Financing of Terrorism (CETS No. 198) monitors the proper implementation of the Convention by the Parties.

 Reports

 


Democracy through Law

The European Commission for Democracy through Law - the Venice Commission - is an advisory body on constitutional matters which plays a leading role in the adoption of constitutions that conform to the standards of Europe's constitutional heritage

Documents

 


Fight against trafficking in human beings

The Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) is responsible for monitoring implementation of the Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings by the Parties. It regularly publishes evaluation reports.

 Evaluations

 


Justice system


European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ)

The aim of the CEPEJ is the improvement of the efficiency and functioning of justice in the member States.

Evaluations


Consultative Council of European Prosecutors (CCPE)

This consultative body to the Committee of Ministers prepares opinions, promotes the implementation of Rec(2000)19 and collects information about the functioning of prosecution services in Europe.

Documents

Art and donations

The Council of Europe’s various buildings are home to an extensive collection of works of art. Member and non-member states, regional and local authorities, and even artists themselves have donated works of art to the Council. These gifts symbolise their donors’ attachment to one of the oldest of Europe’s political organisations. They are a tangible expression of support for an organisation that views human rights as the focal point of society, as well as acknowledging that creative artists play a vital part in shaping attitudes and behaviour.

Henry Dunant (1828-1910)

by Luc Jaggi


Bronze bust
Donated by Switzerland in 2014

The petrified seven

by Carl Bucher


Sculpture
Donated by Switzerland in 1995

Denis de Rougemont (1906-1985)

by Jan Vlach


Bronze bust
Donated by Switzerland in 1992

Planisphärische Uhr

by Alvaro Valazza


Aluminium and Plexiglas
Von der Schweiz im Jahr 1976 überreicht

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Switzerland in the Council of Europe


Committee of Ministers

- Ignazio Cassis, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs
- Claude Wild, Ambassador, Permanent Representative to the Council of Europe


Parliamentary Assembly

Switzerland is represented in the Parliamentary Assembly by a delegation of 6 representatives and 6 substitutes.

Working documents

Adopted texts


Congress of Local and Regional Authorities

Switzerland is represented in the Congress by a delegation of 6 representatives and 6 substitutes.

 Monitoring reports

 Observation of elections


European Court of Human Rights

- Judge to the European Court of Human Rights: Andreas Zünd
- Applications allocated to a decision body(*) in 2023: 280
- Judgments in 2023: 9 of which 7 violations and 1 non-violation

(*) Do not include applications which are at the pre-judicial stage (incomplete case file)

  Country profiles

Execution of Court's judgments


Commissioner for Human Rights

As part of his mandate, the Commissioner carries out visits to countries in order to monitor the human rights situation and pursue a dialogue with national authorities and civil societies.

Reports


Council of Europe Treaties

Treaties ratified and signed by Switzerland


Budget

The Council of Europe's budget, for 2024 is € 624.6M.

The contribution of Switzerland is € 12 081 199.


Liaison Office in Geneva

Contacts

European Court of Human Rights judgments in cases of human rights violations have led to the improvement of people’s lives across Council of Europe member states.