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For a world without torture

Through the keyhole of a prison cell you can see a chair lit by a lamp.
Drawing from the illustrated story 'En finir avec l’impunité' by Shazeera Zawawi (Association for the Prevention of Torture), 2014. © Shazeera Zawawi

The fight against torture has long been a Swiss foreign policy priority. International law prohibits torture and ill-treatment at all times and in all circumstances. Switzerland is committed to ensuring that the ban is upheld worldwide and supports monitoring and enforcement internationally.

An action plan sets out how Switzerland supports the absolute and universal ban on torture and ill-treatment and encourages its implementation. It describes how Switzerland supports international monitoring and enforcement of the ban on torture and how it cooperates with other states, international organisations and NGOs.

FDFA Action Plan against Torture

Multifaceted commitment

Among other things, Switzerland works to ensure that as many states as possible ratify the United Nations Convention against Torture (CAT) and its optional protocol (OPCAT). The ratification and implementation of these agreements leads demonstrably to a reduction in torture.

Switzerland regularly discusses torture and ill-treatment in its bilateral consultations with other countries. It exchanges experts with selected countries in the areas of criminal justice, policing and monitoring bodies. The aim is to improve protection against torture and ill-treatment.

Switzerland is committed to ensuring that victims of torture and ill-treatment obtain redress and access to rehabilitation in accordance with international law. It helps other countries to comply with international standards and develop appropriate mechanisms to fulfil their obligations.

Switzerland helped to set up a mechanism for preventing torture in Morocco and Tunisia. In Tunisia it also supported the establishment of a care service where victims of torture can receive medical care and obtain social and legal advice.

Switzerland supports the UN special rapporteur on torture, providing him with qualified personnel and funding specific projects. The special rapporteur visits countries, makes recommendations and reports to the UN General Assembly and the Human Rights Council. He also hears complaints from individuals.

Prevention of torture and ill-treatment in Switzerland

The Federal Constitution prohibits torture and any other form of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. Switzerland has ratified all the relevant international agreements.

The National Commission for the Prevention of Torture (NCPT) ensures through regular visits and dialogue with the authorities that the rights of persons in custody are respected. It visits prisons and institutions for the enforcement of measures and custodial sentences and accompanies deportation flights.

The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture also regularly visits Switzerland.

National Commission for the Prevention of Torture

European Committee for the Prevention of Torture

Links

Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT)

Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, OHCHR

Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, OHCHR

Information on the UN Convention against Torture and Switzerland's country reports (de/fr/it)

National Commission for the Prevention of Torture

UN Committee against Torture, OHCHR

European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment

European Committee for the Prevention of Torture, CPT

European Convention on Human Rights, ECHR

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Last update 21.12.2018