government: formally a confederation but similar in structure to a federal republic
state of civil and political rights: Free
constitution: revision of Constitution of 1874 approved by the Federal Parliament 18 December 1998, adopted by referendum 18 April 1999, officially entered into force 1 January 2000
legal system: civil law system influenced by customary law
legislative system: bicameral Federal Assembly (Bundesversammlung) consists of the Council of States (Standerat) and the National Council (Nationalrat)
judicial system: Federal Supreme Court, whose judges are appointed by Parliament for a 6-year term
religion: Roman Catholic 41.8%, Protestant 35.3%, Muslim 4.3%, Orthodox 1.8%, other
death row:
year of last executions: 0-0-0
death sentences: 0
executions: 0
international treaties on human rights and the death penalty:International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (aiming to the abolition of the death penalty)
Convention on the Rights of the Child
Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms
6th Protocol to the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (concerning the abolition of the death penalty)
European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
Protocol No. 13 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, concerning the abolition of the death penalty in all circumstances
Statute of the International Criminal Court (which excludes the death penalty)
situation:
After abolishing the death penalty for ordinary crimes in 1942, Switzerland became fully abolitionist in 1992. The last execution was conducted in 1944. On May 3, 2002 Switzerland deposited with the Council of Europe the instrument of ratification of Protocol No 13 to the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms banning the death penalty in all circumstances.
On September 29, 2017, Switzerland voted in favor of the resolution on the death penalty (L6/17) at the UN Council on Human Rights.
On December 16, 2020, Switzerland once again co-sponsored and voted in favour of the Resolution on a Moratorium on the Use of the Death Penalty at the UN General Assembly.
