Switzerland
Switzerland regularly reports hate crime data to ODIHR. Switzerland's Criminal Code does not contain hate crime provisions, although hate crimes are prosecuted under discrimination and hate speech provisions. As such, the data reported to ODIHR include cases of incitement to hatred and discrimination. Information on hate crimes is collected by the Federal Commission against Racism and the Statistical Office and published. The Federal Commission against Racism partners with the association 'humanrights.ch' in the Counselling Network for Victims of Racism, which continuously publishes yearly analytical reports.
HATE CRIMES - OFFICIAL DATA
| Year | Hate crimes recorded by police | Prosecuted | Sentenced |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 257 | Not available | 52 |
| 2019 | 228 | Not available | 49 |
| 2018 | 159 | - | 56 |
| 2017 | 179 | Not available | 50 |
| 2016 | 164 | - | 50 |
| 2015 | 181 | 57 | 52 |
| 2014 | 161 | 14 | 36 |
| 2013 | 161 | 23 | 21 |
| 2012 | 181 | 15 | 15 |
| 2011 | 182 | 14 | 6 |
| 2010 | 204 | 33 | 24 |
| 2009 | 230 | 36 | 30 |
About 2020 Data
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Figures consist of hate crimes committed in public, crimes of incitement to hatred and crimes involving discrimination. As such, many of the incidents listed here fall outside of the OSCE's hate crime definition. A breakdown of sentencing judgments by bias motivation was reported to ODIHR.
HATE INCIDENTS - UNOFFICIAL DATA
In addition to incidents summarized below, this graph includes the following numbers of hate incidents reported as statistics: 16 reported by SIG; and 3 reported by Kantor Center.
Racist and xenophobic hate crime
| Date | Type of incident | Source | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Violent attacks against people | Consultation Network for the Victims of Racism
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| 2020 | Attacks against property | Consultation Network for the Victims of Racism
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| 2020-10 | Violent attacks against people | GRA Foundation against racism and anti-semitism
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| 2020-10 | Attacks against property | GRA Foundation against racism and anti-semitism
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| 2020-02 | Attacks against property | GRA Foundation against racism and anti-semitism
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| 2020-07 | Violent attacks against people | GRA Foundation against racism and anti-semitism
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| 2020-01 | Attacks against property | GRA Foundation against racism and anti-semitism
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| 2020-11 | Attacks against property | GRA Foundation against racism and anti-semitism
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| 2020-06 | Attacks against property | GRA Foundation against racism and anti-semitism
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| 2020-01 | Attacks against property | GRA Foundation against racism and anti-semitism
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| 2020-11 | Threats | GRA Foundation against racism and anti-semitism
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| 2020 | Attacks against property | Consultation Network for the Victims of Racism
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| 2020 | Attacks against property | Consultation Network for the Victims of Racism
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| 2020-09 | Threats | GRA Foundation against racism and anti-semitism
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| 2020-05 | Threats | GRA Foundation against racism and anti-semitism
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| 2020-10 | Attacks against property | GRA Foundation against racism and anti-semitism
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| 2020-02 | Attacks against property | GRA Foundation against racism and anti-semitism
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| 2020 | Violent attacks against people | Consultation Network for the Victims of Racism
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Show info |
| 2020-10 | Violent attacks against people | Consultation Network for the Victims of Racism
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Show info |
| 2020-04 | Violent attacks against people | Consultation Network for the Victims of Racism
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| 2020 | Violent attacks against people | Consultation Network for the Victims of Racism
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| 2020-03 | Threats | Pink Cross Switzerland
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| 2020-07 | Violent attacks against people | Pink Cross Switzerland
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| 2020 | Attacks against property | Consultation Network for the Victims of Racism
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| 2020 | Violent attacks against people | Consultation Network for the Victims of Racism
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Show info |
| 2020 | Violent attacks against people | Consultation Network for the Victims of Racism
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Show info |
| 2020 | Violent attacks against people | Consultation Network for the Victims of Racism
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Show info |
| 2020 | Violent attacks against people | Consultation Network for the Victims of Racism
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Show info |
| 2020 | Violent attacks against people | Consultation Network for the Victims of Racism
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Show info |
| 2020-10 | Violent attacks against people | Consultation Network for the Victims of Racism
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Show info |
| 2020 | Violent attacks against people | Consultation Network for the Victims of Racism
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Show info |
Anti-Semitic hate crime
| Date | Type of incident | Source | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-12 | Threats | GRA Foundation against racism and anti-semitism
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| 2020-05 | Threats | GRA Foundation against racism and anti-semitism
Kantor Center
Swiss Federation of Jewish Communities (SIG)
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| 2020-10 | Attacks against property | GRA Foundation against racism and anti-semitism
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| 2020-02 | Attacks against property | GRA Foundation against racism and anti-semitism
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Anti-Muslim hate crime
| Date | Type of incident | Source | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-09 | Threats | GRA Foundation against racism and anti-semitism
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| 2020 | Violent attacks against people | Consultation Network for the Victims of Racism
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Anti-Christian hate crime
| Date | Type of incident | Source | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-04 | Threats | Jehovah's Witnesses
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| 2020-12 | Threats | Jehovah's Witnesses
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| 2020-12 | Threats | Jehovah's Witnesses
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| 2020-01 | Attacks against property | Holy See
OIDAC
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| 2020-02 | Attacks against property | OIDAC
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| 2020-02 | Attacks against property | OIDAC
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| 2020-03 | Attacks against property | OIDAC
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| 2020-03 | Attacks against property | OIDAC
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| 2020-10 | Attacks against property | OIDAC
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| 2020-10 | Attacks against property | OIDAC
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Disability hate crime
| Date | Type of incident | Source | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-12 | Threats | Pink Cross Switzerland
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Gender-based hate crime
| Date | Type of incident | Source | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-06 | Violent attacks against people | Pink Cross Switzerland
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| 2020-10 | Violent attacks against people | Pink Cross Switzerland
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Show info |
Anti-LGBTI hate crime
| Date | Type of incident | Source | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-10 | Threats | GRA Foundation against racism and anti-semitism
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| 2020-02 | Violent attacks against people | GRA Foundation against racism and anti-semitism
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Show info |
| 2020-02 | Threats | GRA Foundation against racism and anti-semitism
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Show info |
| 2020-01 | Violent attacks against people | GRA Foundation against racism and anti-semitism
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| 2020-01 | Violent attacks against people | Pink Cross Switzerland
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| 2020-01 | Violent attacks against people | Pink Cross Switzerland
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| 2020-01 | Threats | Pink Cross Switzerland
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| 2020-02 | Violent attacks against people | Pink Cross Switzerland
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| 2020-02 | Attacks against property | Pink Cross Switzerland
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| 2020-03 | Threats | Pink Cross Switzerland
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| 2020-02 | Threats | Pink Cross Switzerland
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| 2020-05 | Attacks against property | Pink Cross Switzerland
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| 2020-06 | Violent attacks against people | Pink Cross Switzerland
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| 2020-06 | Threats | Pink Cross Switzerland
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| 2020-07 | Violent attacks against people | Pink Cross Switzerland
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| 2020-07 | Violent attacks against people | Pink Cross Switzerland
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| 2020-07 | Violent attacks against people | Pink Cross Switzerland
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| 2020-07 | Threats | Pink Cross Switzerland
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| 2020-07 | Violent attacks against people | Pink Cross Switzerland
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| 2020-08 | Violent attacks against people | Pink Cross Switzerland
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| 2020-09 | Violent attacks against people | Pink Cross Switzerland
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| 2020-09 | Violent attacks against people | Pink Cross Switzerland
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| 2020-09 | Violent attacks against people | Pink Cross Switzerland
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Show info |
| 2020-10 | Violent attacks against people | Pink Cross Switzerland
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Show info |
| 2020-10 | Violent attacks against people | Pink Cross Switzerland
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Show info |
| 2020-12 | Threats | Pink Cross Switzerland
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| 2020-12 | Threats | Pink Cross Switzerland
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INTERNATIONAL REPORTS
Racist and xenophobic hate crime, Anti-Roma hate crime
The United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) published relevant recommendations in its "Concluding observations on the combined tenth to twelfth reports of Switzerland" [in French].
ODIHR'S KEY OBSERVATIONS
ODIHR recognizes Switzerland's efforts in reporting on hate crime regularly to ODIHR. However, based on the available information, it observes that Switzerland’s hate crime recording and statistics do not sufficiently distinguish hate crimes from other crimes. In addition, ODIHR observes that Switzerland would benefit from reviewing the existing legal framework in order to ensure that bias motivations are effectively acknowledged and appropriate penalties can be imposed on the perpetrators.
ODIHR recalls that in the Ministerial Council Decision 9/09, participating States have agreed to a definition of hate crimes shared by all OSCE participating States. They have also committed to collecting reliable data and statistics on hate crimes. To that end, hate crimes need to be distinguished throughout the recording and data collection process from incitement to hatred and other hate speech crimes. In the Ministerial Council Decision 9/09, participating States have also committed to enacting specific, tailored legislation to combat hate crimes, providing for effective penalties that take into account the gravity of such crimes. ODIHR stands ready to support Switzerland in meeting its relevant commitments through the provision of comprehensive resources and tailored assistance, including further resources aimed at addressing hate crime legislation and providing tailored legislative advice.