Published on 1 February 2026

Human rights diplomacy

Human rights are the foundation for a just and peaceful world. Switzerland's work promoting respect for human rights is a core part of its foreign policy, based on a constitutional and legislative mandate. This work also fulfils obligations that Switzerland has taken on as an actor in the international system. This page explains the instruments that Switzerland uses to implement its human rights diplomacy.

Human Rights Council room at UN headquarters in Geneva. — © UN Photo / Pierre Albouy

Human rights for peace and security

Switzerland is convinced that protecting and promoting human rights is indispensable for achieving social and economic development in secure societies. The violation of human rights not only jeopardises the dignity and freedom of individuals, but also threatens peace and security. Human rights violations are therefore indicators for the early detection of conflicts. In accordance with the Federal Council's Foreign Policy Strategy 2024–27, Switzerland is firmly committed to the universal protection of human rights at regional and local level within the framework of the UN. It pursues a human rights-based approach in its international cooperation and peacebuilding work.

Human rights diplomacy focuses on freedom of expression, the death penalty, torture, human trafficking, women's rights and the rights of minorities and vulnerable groups.

Human rights are universal

Human rights are universal (apply to all people everywhere), inalienable (cannot be taken away) and indivisible (can only be realised in their entirety). They apply to us all simply because we are human and are central to human dignity, human survival and human development.

Instruments of human rights diplomacy

Switzerland has a wide range of instruments at its disposal for implementing its human rights diplomacy, which it can use bilaterally (in direct exchange with another state) and multilaterally (within the framework of international or regional organisations).

• Bilateral level: Analyses and dialogue on the ground

  In principle, Switzerland conducts bilateral human rights discussions with all countries and at all levels. With certain states, Switzerland conducts formal human rights dialogues. Swiss representations abroad (embassies, cooperation offices and consulates) play an important role. They monitor the human rights situation in their host country and raise the issue with its government by means of démarches, i.e. diplomatic interventions. At the same time, they exchange knowledge and ideas with non-governmental organisations (e.g. think tanks and human rights defenders) and members of the academic community.

  Exchanges at a technical level are also possible, for example expert exchanges, seminars, study trips, publications and cooperation projects. This cooperation is conducted with selected partner countries as part of a structured dialogue or programme on specific topics, such as freedom of expression, abolition of the death penalty or women's rights.

• Multilateral level: UN, Council of Europe and OSCE

  In pursuing its human rights diplomacy, Switzerland advocates for the realisation of human rights in the various UN bodies concerned, in particular the UN Human Rights Council, the UN General Assembly, and the bodies of the UN's Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). Within these forums, it actively participates in debates on human rights issues and in negotiations on thematic or country-specific resolutions. Switzerland also launches its own initiatives and makes statements, for example to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.

  In recent years, Switzerland has tabled resolutions in the UN Human Rights Council on the role of human rights in peaceful protests, the abolition of the death penalty, dealing with the past after serious and systematic human rights violations ('transitional justice') and the right to a healthy, clean and sustainable environment.

  As part of the Universal Periodic Review, UN member states have the opportunity to make recommendations to each other on how to uphold and promote human rights.

  • Universal Periodic Review

  Switzerland also works within the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) to ensure that human rights protection remains a core pillar of the joint efforts of the OSCE's participating states. Safeguarding human rights and strengthening democratic institutions are key priorities for the OSCE and are part of the human dimension, the third dimension of the OSCE's comprehensive security approach, alongside the politico-military dimension and the economic and environmental dimension. Switzerland uses its traditional role as a bridge-builder to promote dialogue between the OSCE's participating states and strengthen the organisation's ability to take action. This helps to ensure that the OSCE can continue to effectively fulfil its important role in promoting human rights in the OSCE region.

  Beyond this, Switzerland works within the Council of Europe – the body that adopted the European Convention on Human Rights – to protect and promote human rights.

• National and international projects

  To promote human rights worldwide, Switzerland implements concrete projects in cooperation with international and national actors. It strengthens civil society and helps those who are committed to the realisation of human rights.

Links

• The UN and human rights
• UN Human Rights Council
• UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
• European Court of Human Rights
• International human rights conventions of the United Nations
• Universal Human Rights Index
• International justice – human rights bodies
• UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Documents

• The ABC of Human Rights

  PDF1.55 MB18 March 2025

• UN Human Rights Council: A Practical Guide

  PDF2.41 MB18 March 2025