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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 crime data collection in Switzerland
Support for hate crime victims in Switzerland
Access more information at the Legislation Online website Legislationline TANDIS Access more information at the Tolerance and Non-Discrimination Information System (TANDIS) website

SELECT YEAR

  • 2020
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  • 2009

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

    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.

National developments

In 2020, Article 261bis of the Criminal Code of Switzerland, which provides, among others, for offences of bias-motivated violence committed in public, was amended by extending the list of protected characteristics with sexual orientation. The amendment entered into force in July 2020.

INCIDENTS REPORTED BY OTHER SOURCES

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
Show info
2020 Attacks against property
Consultation Network for the Victims of Racism
Show info
2020-10 Violent attacks against people
GRA Foundation against racism and anti-semitism
Show info
2020-10 Attacks against property
GRA Foundation against racism and anti-semitism
Show info
2020-02 Attacks against property
GRA Foundation against racism and anti-semitism
Show info
2020-07 Violent attacks against people
GRA Foundation against racism and anti-semitism
Show info
2020-01 Attacks against property
GRA Foundation against racism and anti-semitism
Show info
2020-11 Attacks against property
GRA Foundation against racism and anti-semitism
Show info
2020-06 Attacks against property
GRA Foundation against racism and anti-semitism
Show info
2020-01 Attacks against property
GRA Foundation against racism and anti-semitism
Show info
2020-11 Threats
GRA Foundation against racism and anti-semitism
Show info
2020 Attacks against property
Consultation Network for the Victims of Racism
Show info
2020 Attacks against property
Consultation Network for the Victims of Racism
Show info
2020-09 Threats
GRA Foundation against racism and anti-semitism
Show info
2020-05 Threats
GRA Foundation against racism and anti-semitism
Show info
2020-10 Attacks against property
GRA Foundation against racism and anti-semitism
Show info
2020-02 Attacks against property
GRA Foundation against racism and anti-semitism
Show info
2020 Violent attacks against people
Consultation Network for the Victims of Racism
Show info
2020-10 Violent attacks against people
Consultation Network for the Victims of Racism
Show info
2020-04 Violent attacks against people
Consultation Network for the Victims of Racism
Show info
2020 Violent attacks against people
Consultation Network for the Victims of Racism
Show info
2020-03 Threats
Pink Cross Switzerland
Show info
2020-07 Violent attacks against people
Pink Cross Switzerland
Show info
2020 Attacks against property
Consultation Network for the Victims of Racism
Show info
2020 Violent attacks against people
Consultation Network for the Victims of Racism
Show info
2020 Violent attacks against people
Consultation Network for the Victims of Racism
Show info
2020 Violent attacks against people
Consultation Network for the Victims of Racism
Show info
2020 Violent attacks against people
Consultation Network for the Victims of Racism
Show info
2020 Violent attacks against people
Consultation Network for the Victims of Racism
Show info
2020-10 Violent attacks against people
Consultation Network for the Victims of Racism
Show info
2020 Violent attacks against people
Consultation Network for the Victims of Racism
Show info

Anti-Semitic hate crime

Date Type of incident Source Description
2020-12 Threats
GRA Foundation against racism and anti-semitism
Show info
2020-05 Threats
GRA Foundation against racism and anti-semitism
Kantor Center
Swiss Federation of Jewish Communities (SIG)
Show info
2020-10 Attacks against property
GRA Foundation against racism and anti-semitism
Show info
2020-02 Attacks against property
GRA Foundation against racism and anti-semitism
Show info

Anti-Muslim hate crime

Date Type of incident Source Description
2020-09 Threats
GRA Foundation against racism and anti-semitism
Show info
2020 Violent attacks against people
Consultation Network for the Victims of Racism
Show info

Anti-Christian hate crime

Date Type of incident Source Description
2020-04 Threats
Jehovah's Witnesses
Show info
2020-12 Threats
Jehovah's Witnesses
Show info
2020-12 Threats
Jehovah's Witnesses
Show info
2020-01 Attacks against property
Holy See
OIDAC
Show info
2020-02 Attacks against property
OIDAC
Show info
2020-02 Attacks against property
OIDAC
Show info
2020-03 Attacks against property
OIDAC
Show info
2020-03 Attacks against property
OIDAC
Show info
2020-10 Attacks against property
OIDAC
Show info
2020-10 Attacks against property
OIDAC
Show info

Disability hate crime

Date Type of incident Source Description
2020-12 Threats
Pink Cross Switzerland
Show info

Gender-based hate crime

Date Type of incident Source Description
2020-06 Violent attacks against people
Pink Cross Switzerland
Show info
2020-10 Violent attacks against people
Pink Cross Switzerland
Show info

Anti-LGBTI hate crime

Date Type of incident Source Description
2020-10 Threats
GRA Foundation against racism and anti-semitism
Show info
2020-02 Violent attacks against people
GRA Foundation against racism and anti-semitism
Show info
2020-02 Threats
GRA Foundation against racism and anti-semitism
Show info
2020-01 Violent attacks against people
GRA Foundation against racism and anti-semitism
Show info
2020-01 Violent attacks against people
Pink Cross Switzerland
Show info
2020-01 Violent attacks against people
Pink Cross Switzerland
Show info
2020-01 Threats
Pink Cross Switzerland
Show info
2020-02 Violent attacks against people
Pink Cross Switzerland
Show info
2020-02 Attacks against property
Pink Cross Switzerland
Show info
2020-03 Threats
Pink Cross Switzerland
Show info
2020-02 Threats
Pink Cross Switzerland
Show info
2020-05 Attacks against property
Pink Cross Switzerland
Show info
2020-06 Violent attacks against people
Pink Cross Switzerland
Show info
2020-06 Threats
Pink Cross Switzerland
Show info
2020-07 Violent attacks against people
Pink Cross Switzerland
Show info
2020-07 Violent attacks against people
Pink Cross Switzerland
Show info
2020-07 Violent attacks against people
Pink Cross Switzerland
Show info
2020-07 Threats
Pink Cross Switzerland
Show info
2020-07 Violent attacks against people
Pink Cross Switzerland
Show info
2020-08 Violent attacks against people
Pink Cross Switzerland
Show info
2020-09 Violent attacks against people
Pink Cross Switzerland
Show info
2020-09 Violent attacks against people
Pink Cross Switzerland
Show info
2020-09 Violent attacks against people
Pink Cross Switzerland
Show info
2020-10 Violent attacks against people
Pink Cross Switzerland
Show info
2020-10 Violent attacks against people
Pink Cross Switzerland
Show info
2020-12 Threats
Pink Cross Switzerland
Show info
2020-12 Threats
Pink Cross Switzerland
Show info

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].

KEY OBSERVATION

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.


Our methodology

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2021 Call for Civil Society Submissions

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2020 Announcement Page

2020 Hate Crime Data Now Available!

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Hate Crime Data: Frequently Asked Questions

15 Nov 2021
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ODIHR's impact in 2020: Strengthening Support for Hate Crime Victims

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10 practical steps to respond to the security needs of Muslim communities

ODIHR's impact in 2020: A holistic and inclusive response to anti-Muslim hate crimes

15 Apr 2021
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2019 Hate Crime Data Now Available!

29 Jan 2021
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ODIHR's impact in 2019: Supporting a diagnostic approach to hate crime data collection

29 Apr 2020

Contact Us

Email tndinfo@odihr.pl
Tel +48 22 520 06 00
Fax +48 22 520 06 05
OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR)
Tolerance and Non-Discrimination Department
Ul. Miodowa 10
00-251
Warsaw, Poland

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