FDFA launches Action Plan for the Universal Abolition of the Death Penalty 2024-2027
Bern, 15.07.2024 - Switzerland is continuing to act for a world without capital punishment. Universal abolition is one of the Federal Council's 2024–27 Foreign Policy Strategy objectives and one of the four thematic focus areas of the FDFA's 2021–24 Guidelines on Human Rights. The new action plan translates Switzerland's commitment into concrete measures and sets out its priorities in the fight against the death penalty.
Switzerland is categorically opposed to the death penalty in all circumstances. Under Swiss law, capital punishment is a clear violation of the fundamental right to life and is in breach of the prohibition of torture and ill-treatment. Switzerland's resulting commitment to universal abolition falls under its work to promote respect for human rights and is a contribution to lasting peace and security, as well as bolstering the rule of law.
Globally, significant inroads have been made on universal abolition. The number of states that have abolished the death penalty has gone up from 55 to 113 in the space of thirty years, but the number of executions and death sentences in recent years has not gone down.
The FDFA is therefore seeking to reduce these numbers while continuing to support the overall trend towards universal abolition
through the following action fields:
Field of action 1: Mobilising diplomacy
Switzerland relies on dialogue with states that continue to apply the death penalty to encourage them to abolish this sentence or, at the very least, to limit or suspend its application as a first step.
Field of action 2: Strengthening the normative framework
Switzerland is working to strengthen the international framework aimed at suspending or restricting the application of the death penalty. It plays a leading role in UN initiatives on this issue and supports regional institutions committed to abolition.
Field of action 3: Strengthening international collaboration
Recognising that the progress made in abolishing the death penalty worldwide is the result of a collective effort, Switzerland is committed to deepening collaboration with like-minded states and civil society organisations.
Implementation of the action plan is coordinated by the Peace and Human Rights Division (PHRD) under the FDFA's State Secretariat.
Address for enquiries
FDFA Communication
Federal Palace West Wing
CH-3003 Bern, Switzerland
Tel. Press service: +41 58 460 55 55
E-mail: kommunikation@eda.admin.ch
Twitter: @SwissMFA
Publisher
Federal Department of Foreign Affairs
https://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home.html
