Swiss specialists in civilian peacebuilding and human rights promotion work in a number of areas: supporting Colombia's peace process, helping police in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) investigate crimes and sharing human rights expertise with them, as well as working for the protection of the civilian population and on the topic of women, peace and security.
The Swiss Expert Pool for Civilian Peacebuilding (SEP) deploys experts based on Switzerland's geographical and thematic priorities in its peace and human rights policy. To promote young talent, Switzerland supports deployments for young professionals to international organisations.
Swiss SEP experts are deployed as needed to missions lasting a few days or up to several years, where they work as election observers, police advisers, or specialists in constitutional and judicial reform, federalism, mediation, rule of law, human rights or international humanitarian law, for example.
“During the first two years of my secondment from 2021–22, I helped build up the team at the Fundamental Rights Office (FRO) of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) in Warsaw. We went from just 12 employees to 65. The FRO's job is to monitor compliance with fundamental rights in all Frontex activities. Frontex hit the headlines due to allegations of illegal pushbacks and other suspected attacks on migrants. The aim of strengthening the FRO is to recognise and prevent breaches of fundamental rights and to develop appropriate measures and guidelines.
My role as a fundamental rights officer is to investigate possible cases of violations of these rights and, if necessary, to initiate proceedings. This includes observing what our Frontex colleagues are doing out at sea. Another aspect of my work is to formulate recommendations for Frontex and the national border protection organisations carrying out joint operations.”
A contingent of Swiss police officers is on secondment to the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA). Since July 2013, MINUSMA has been tasked with supporting confidence-building measures between the conflicting parties and assisting with the implementation of the 2015 peace and reconciliation agreement. This includes supporting, reorganising and training local police forces as well as protecting the civilian population and ensuring respect for human rights.
“In my capacity as police expert seconded by Switzerland, I head MINUSMA's Serious Organised Crime and Terrorism Support Unit in Mali. There are ten of us, and we are responsible for a large area in central Mali. We advise and support the local security forces in their investigations into organised crime and terrorism, helping to restore state authority and establish a police force trusted by the community.
Thanks to my experience as an inspector with the Lausanne Criminal Investigation Department, I can contribute to improving the functioning of the criminal justice system in Mali. I lead investigations where we visit villages that have been attacked, for example. We talk to the villagers and try to gather as much evidence as possible about the events. A well-functioning criminal justice system is a must for the security of the population and lasting peace in Mali.”
The SEP coordinates the selection and financing of UN volunteer missions for university graduates. Employment contracts are concluded directly with the UN, whose one-year voluntary missions are open to recent graduates.
“I spent a year in Cairo working as a youth volunteer for the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in its regional office for the Middle East and North Africa, where I was assigned to the Liaison and Policy Unit. The IOM aims to improve the human rights situation of migrants, supporting countries to develop and implement migration strategies for example. It also organises protection and help for people who have been displaced by crises.
The COVID-19 pandemic, which reached its peak when I was on mission in Cairo, made things even more difficult for a lot of migrants. One of the tasks I was involved in was to draw up a concept paper for a UN migration network. A large number of migrants who had lost their jobs tried to return home – but to no avail. So the concept paper is supposed to raise awareness of such problems in the countries concerned, and proposes cooperation mechanisms for the safe return of their citizens.”
Other federal government units with international operations
The Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA) recruits people for humanitarian missions. The Swiss Armed Forces International Command SWISSINT arranges peace support operations abroad.
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