Topic: Combating the Rise of Xenophobic Violence
Country: Switzerland
Delegate Name: Fatima Sheikh
School: Fishers High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Switzerland position papers GLIMUN 2011 committees
The Swiss Federation believes that, as stated directly in our constitution:
No one may be discriminated against, in particular on grounds of origin, race, gender, age, language, social position, way of life, religious, ideological, or political convictions, or because of a physical, mental or psychological disability
This strictly implies that it is our upmost duty to maintain peace throughout different cultural and religious groups in the nation and do our best to prevent any form of xenophobic violence. This includes listening to the needs of our small Muslim minority, the recent ‘minaret’ incident and helping to overcome social and religious barriers between them and the rest of the community, especially considering that one-third of our population is comprised of people from other nations. For example in 1848, after a brief civil war between Protestant Liberals and Catholic conservatives and the political change that followed, Switzerland became a federation. However, instead of entirely shunning the Catholic minority (at the time), our country made several provisions to placate them and maintain peace between different groups. Now, in a somewhat similar conflict between the Muslim minority and the rest of the community, the country will do it’s very best to pacify differences.
A more recent issue is the banning of minarets in the country, which was taken upon by the government to do by popular vote of the people. The fact that the issue was even left up to a vote and taken to consideration by the government raises concerns and uproar amongst the Muslim community, who accuse this as a violation of their religious freedom. However, The Swiss federation does not believe this to be a rejection of the Muslim community, religion, and culture because the minarets are a "political-religious claim to power, which challenge fundamental rights." Therefore, it is not a violation of rights to ban them if they challenge rights to begin with.
In 2007, the Federal Council of Switzerland wrote an official reply on the subject to the UN that whoever displays xenophobic behavior in the country will be implemented with fines and imprisonment, showing our take on battling prejudice. The Swiss federation would like to keep all religions at an equal footing and establish peace and prosperity.
