Rapid and unhindered access for humanitarian organisations to civilians in armed conflict zones is essential. However, it is often impeded or refused. In two recent publications Switzerland advocates improvements in this area: The Manual provides a summary of the relevant rules of international law; the Guidelines are designed for humanitarian practitioners concerned with the question of access.

 Humanitarian access in situations of armed conflict: Handbook on the Normative Framework (pdf, 1783 Kb)

 Humanitarian access in situations of armed conflict: Field Manual (pdf, 5416 Kb)

Publication: 2011 
Number of pages: 42 (Handbook), 80 (Field Manual)
Language: en

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This new brochure explains what Switzerland is doing to promote peace in Nepal, Burundi and South Sudan, how it is trying to involve business in the protection of human rights and what it is doing to ensure that refugees and displaced persons are more effectively protected so that they do not become victims of human traffickers. It also contains statements by people who have shaped Switzerland's peace, human rights, migration and humanitarian policy, and who will continue to do so.

 For Peace, Human Rights and Security (pdf, 727 Kb) 

Publication: 2011
Number of pages: 36
Languages: de/fr/it/en 
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 Press Release 30.06.2011

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The United Nations Security Council approved resolution 1325 on 31 October 2000. The resolution was the first to address the specific effects of armed conflict on women and girls. It also stresses the importance of the participation of women in peace processes. Switzerland bases its activities to implement the resolution on a national action plan for peace promotion. The brochure “Women, Peace and Security” provides information on the overall legal and political context of the resolution and the measures that have been undertaken.

 Women, Peace and Security (pdf, 1519 Kb)

Publication: 2010
Number of pages: 24
Languages: de/fr/it/en

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Millions of civilian victims of violence and war are subjected to forced displacement, hostage-taking, rape, torture, extrajudicial executions and massacres. With his strategy the FDFA reinforces its commitment to the protection of civilians in armed conflict through coherent, targeted, effective an efficient action.

 Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict (pdf, 444 Kb) 

Publication: 2009
Number of pages: 21
Languages: fr/en

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In 1997, Switzerland ratified the International Convention on the Elimination of All Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). This year, Switzerland will submit a report to the relevant UN committee in New York on the status of implementation of the Convention. In a new, easy-to-read brochure, the FDFA and the Federal Office for Gender Equality (FOGE) explain the new law.

 CEDAW – brochure (fr) (pdf, 927 Kb) 

Publication: 2009
Number of pages: 55
Languages: de/fr/it 

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 www.bundespublikationen.ch
Price: free

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The ABC of Human Rights explains the most important concepts and terms of human rights. The publication is also available as a brochure. It gives an overview of the history, development and implementation of human rights, and brings the reader up to date on the current debate on this subject. In a separate section, it provides an extensive glossary of terms and definitions.

 ABC of Human Rights (pdf, 431 Kb) 

Publication: 2008
Number of pages: 60
Languages: de/fr/it/en

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 Online ABC of Human Rights

As a complement to the ABC of Human Rights, the Compendium for the Protection of Human Rights is now available. This collection of sources contains all the texts that are relevant for Switzerland in an abridged form: the main international human rights protection treaties ratified by Switzerland, the fundamental agreements on international humanitarian law and a number of important agreements that have not yet been ratified by Switzerland. The publication is rounded off with a general introduction and a table showing the current ratification status. (1475 p., German; French version in preparation; available from bookshops, price Fr. 68.)

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The annual report 2007 describes action taken to deal with civil conflict and promote human rights.

 Peace and human rights in Swiss foreign policy (pdf, 434 Kb) 
 
Publication: 2007
Number of pages: 31 
Languages: de/fr/it/en

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A new publication entitled “Human Security in Switzerland’s foreign policy” describes in an easily understandable and concise form Switzerland’s commitment to peace promotion, human rights, humanitarian policy and migration.

 Human Security in Switzerland’s foreign policy (fr) (pdf, 437 Kb) 

Publication: 2007
Number of pages: 28
Languages: fr/it/en

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