Switzerland

Switzerland regularly reports hate crime data to ODIHR. Switzerland's Criminal Code contains no hate crime provision (see the link to related legislation, below) and hate crimes are addressed under anti-discrimination criminal provisions. The Federal Commission against Racism partners with the association 'humanrights.ch' in the Counselling Network for Victims of Racism, which publishes annual analytical reports on hate crime.

SELECT YEAR

OFFICIAL DATA

Year	Hate crimes recorded by police	Prosecuted	Sentenced
2021	312	Not available	80
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 2013 Data

Figures consist predominantly of crimes of incitement to hatred and crimes involving discrimination.

Hate crime recorded by police

National developments

The Counselling Network for Victims of Racism, set up in 2005 as a joint venture between the association “humanrights.ch” and the Federal Commission against Racism, is a network comprising 11 professional agencies from across Switzerland, offering advice concerning racist discrimination and crime. The network publishes an annual report containing reporting on incidents of racism.

KEY OBSERVATION

ODIHR observes that Switzerland has not reported on hate crimes separately from cases of hate speech and/or discrimination.

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

Reports

Racist and xenophobic hate crime

HumanRights.ch reported three physical assaults, including one carried out by a group. The organization also reported one incident of threats.

Anti-Semitic hate crime

Intercommunity Coordination Against Anti-Semitism and Defamation (CICAD) reported one incident of damage to property and eight incidents of graffiti, including one on a synagogue in Geneva, one on a school and one on a Jewish home. The Swiss Federation of Jewish Communities (FSCI/SIG) and the Foundation against Racism and Anti-Semitism (GRA) reported one case of threats made over social media. GRA reported two further incidents of graffiti.

Hate crime against Christians and members of other religions

The Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians and World Without Nazism reported one arson attempt in a cathedral. The European Association of Jehovah's Christian Witnesses / Jehovah’s Witnesses – Switzerland reported two incidents of physical assault and five desecrations of places of worship. World Without Nazism reported one incident of the desecration of a place of worship.

Anti-Muslim hate crime

The Foundation against Racism and Anti-Semitism (GRA) reported one incident of damage to a mosque, in which attackers attempted to destroy the minaret.

INTERNATIONAL REPORTS

Racist and xenophobic hate crime

In its fifth report, the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) recommended that the Swiss authorities improve their system for recording and monitoring violent incidents in order to obtain more reliable statistics on the racist, homophobic or transphobic motivation of offences.