Escalating racism and anti-Semitic sentiments in Switzerland spur new countermeasures
Switzerland has seen a significant increase in reported cases of xenophobia, racism, and anti-Semitism over the past few years. According to recent data, reported cases of xenophobia rose by 35% in 2024, while racism and anti-Semitism cases increased by 40% and nearly 90% respectively.
A survey conducted by The Local revealed that some readers had experienced incidents of xenophobia, with some being told to "go back to America". The survey also found that 17% of the population in Switzerland reported being victims of racial discrimination in the last five years.
In response to these rising incidents, Federal Councillor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider met with 200 stakeholders from authorities, civil society, and academia to discuss the basis of a national strategy against racism and anti-Semitism. The strategy, which is expected to be finalised by the end of the year, will focus on three themes: improving data collection and use, strengthening the legal and institutional framework, and developing collaboration between various entities.
The high-profile suspension of four police officers in Lausanne was due to allegations of posting racist and anti-Semitic messages, highlighting the need for a stronger institutional framework. Anti-Semitic acts have seen an unprecedented rise in French-speaking Switzerland, as reported by the Intercommunity Coordination Against Anti-Semitism and Defamation (CICAD).
Cases of Islamophobia also saw a rise in Switzerland in 2024. A study released in March 202x revealed that xenophobic attitudes towards certain population groups in Switzerland have increased since 2020.
Elisabeth Baume-Schneider stated that racism and anti-Semitism cause real suffering, and that the strategy will aim to address these issues head-on. In some cases, foreigners in Switzerland have reported removing pictures from their CVs due to experiences of xenophobia.
The development of this national strategy is a significant step towards addressing the growing issue of racism and anti-Semitism in Switzerland. The feedback gathered from the stakeholders will be presented at a kick-off meeting attended by Federal Councillor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider at the end of January 2025.
