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.

SELECT YEAR

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 2011 Data

Figures only include crimes of incitement to hatred and crimes involving discrimination.

By bias motivation
By type of crime

Download official data

Incidents reported by civil society, international organizations and the Holy See

Reports

Hate crime against Christians and members of other religions

The Holy See reported the wayside crosses vandalism incident and a case of setting fire to religious objects inside a church. Switzerland verified that both incidents had been investigated by police. The perpetrator responsible for arson inside the church was prosecuted and convicted.

The Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians reported an incident of vandalism of wayside crosses on private property. This vandalism case was also reported by the Holy See.

Anti-Semitic hate crime

The Intercommunal Coordination against Antisemitism and Defamation (CICAD) and the Kantor Center reported two physical assaults, both involving serious injuries. One of the assaults involved a knife and was committed against a man in front of his family, and the other was committed against an assistant rabbi. CICAD reported a further attempted assault with a car against a group of men; one case of graffiti on a bus; and two death threats, one against the Secretary General of CICAD and one against a man in the presence of his family.

Anti-Muslim hate crime

The Turkish Community in Switzerland reported one case of threats against the mayor of Spreitenbach following an interview in which he discussed the positive contributions of the Muslim community in Switzerland. The mayor resigned from his post as a result of the threats.