Switzerland adopted its first-ever national action plan against racism and antisemitism on Friday at the Federal Council meeting.
The action plan comes amid surging antisemitism and racism in the country. According to figures from the Federal Statistical Office, 17% of the resident population aged 15 to 88 said in 2024 that they had experienced racial discrimination in the previous five years.
The new plan seeks to change this. The strategy aims to improve the identification of racism and antisemitism, to protect those affected, to strengthen the prevention of racism at institutional level, and to promote societal engagement.
The strategy centers on four fields of action: systematic monitoring of racism, antisemitism, and discrimination; the guaranteed protection and rights of data subjects; systematic identification of discrimination in institutions; and society-wide commitment to combating hate, including collaboration and the sharing of information and experience between authorities.
By integrating four dimensions – structural racism, intersectional discrimination, involvement of affected people, specific forms of racism – institutions can “also ensure that their measures are targeted and effective,” the Swiss authorities said.
The plan also puts a lot of focus on differentiating between various racism types (e.g. anti-Black racism, anti-Jewish antisemitism, anti-Muslim racism, discrimination against Roma) and adapting responses accordingly.
The implementation of the strategy will start in 2026.
'An important step toward prevention,' say Swiss authorities
“With the adoption of this strategy against racism and antisemitism, we are taking an important step toward prevention and protection,” said Federal Councillor Elisabeth Baume‑Schneider, head of the Federal Department of Home Affairs. “For the first time, our country obtains a coordinated framework to combat these violations of fundamental rights, and to preserve social cohesion.”
She said the “4×4” model is designed to be practical and applicable at all levels of government, showing not just what needs to be done, but also how to do it.
“Fighting racism and antisemitism is a collective and long-term responsibility. By uniting our strength and pooling our resources, we send a strong signal: that of a Switzerland that chooses respect, equality, justice, and inclusion,” she added.