The economy and human rights

In the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights, the Federal Council has set out its vision for a responsible approach to human rights by business enterprises. The Federal Council also aims to raise awareness and improve cooperation with the private sector on this issue.

Business and Human Rights: Swiss National Action Plan 2020–2023 (PDF, 30 Pages, 1.1 MB, English)

FDFA/SECO information platform on business and human rights

Human rights due diligence procedure for Swiss SMEs

The NAP shows how Switzerland is implementing the UN's Guiding Principles. It is structured in accordance with the three pillars of the principles, each with its own measures and targets.

The action plan is in line with the federal government's overarching commitment to sustainability:

Federal Council position paper and action plan on corporate social responsibility

Sustainable Development Strategy

The green economy. Federal government measures for a resource-efficient, sustainable Switzerland

Commodity trading is a sector that harbours a risk of human rights abuses and environmental degradation during the extraction of raw materials such as coal, gold, silver, cobalt and tungsten, particularly in fragile contexts.

The FDFA and SECO have therefore issued, on behalf of the Federal Council, the Commodity Trading Sector Guidance on Implementing the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, based on existing UN and OECD international guiding and voluntary principles on security and human rights. This document was drawn up in collaboration with a wide range of commodity companies and non-governmental organisations, as well as the Canton of Geneva, where many of these companies are based. There is now an online version of this guide.

Guidance: Implementing the UNGPs 

In November 2018, the Federal Council presented its report on the trade in gold produced in violation of human rights. The report takes stock of the gold sector in Switzerland and recommends measures to be implemented by the Federal Administration. It concludes that there is a need for action with respect to transparency and gold supply chains. Traceable sourcing of gold is essential because it is the only way to prevent gold mined in breach of human rights from being imported into Switzerland. The Federal Council also recommends strengthening multi-stakeholder dialogue and expanding development cooperation in the area of responsible gold production.

Federal Council press release: Federal Council report on gold trading and human rights, 14.11.2018

The Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights are guidelines to help mining, gas and oil companies to identify risks and exercise due diligence. Companies in the extractive and energy sectors can use the voluntary principles to take measures to avoid human rights violations and prevent the escalation of conflicts.

Switzerland joined the Voluntary Principles Initiative in 2011 and holds its chairmanship for the 2019–20 period. It works to ensure the broadest possible participation of governments in the voluntary principles and promotes dialogue among public authorities, the private sector and civil society. Switzerland is also helping to create synergies between the International Code of Conduct for Private Security Service Providers, the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights and the Swiss strategy to implement the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights

The International Code of Conduct for Private Security Service Providers (ICoC) was established ten years ago. It obliges private security companies to respect human rights and international humanitarian law and helps to prevent violations. Switzerland played a key role in having the code adopted and chairs the association's steering committee. It promotes dialogue between private security companies, states and NGOs.

International Code of Conduct for Private Security Service Providers 

Switzerland has been working to ensure that human rights are respected in sport at all levels and that the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights are implemented at major sporting events.

Since 2015, it has developed standards and guidelines together with international sports federations such as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the World Football Association (FIFA), as well as with athletes, states, sponsors, NGOs and international organisations.

The Centre for Sport and Human Rights, which was created in 2018 and became, in 2021, a Geneva-based association under Swiss law, promotes the development of effective approaches to prevent, mitigate and remedy sport-related human rights violations. As a platform for multi-stakeholder dialogue, the centre works to build capacity and promote knowledge-sharing while supporting stakeholders in bolstering transparency and accountability mechanisms.

Switzerland promotes respect for human rights in the digital space and in connection with new technologies. This has included supporting the development of guidelines for applying the UN Guiding Principles to key issues related to the development, use and governance of digital technologies. Through various initiatives, it also promotes an open, free and secure cyberspace and advocates against oppressive state crackdowns on the free use of the internet.

Digital Foreign Policy Strategy 2021–24 (PDF, 48 Pages, 2.8 MB, English)

Coherent foreign policy in the digital space