“Muslims’ Rights in Switzerland between Federalism, Direct Democracy and Human Rights”

Author(s) : Camille Vallier, Nesa Zimmermann

Source : https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004421516_013

Abstract:

“In Switzerland, the number of Muslims – just under five percent of the resident population, many of whom are not religious – contrasts starkly with the omnipresence of Islam in political and public discourse. Direct democracy plays a particularly important part in this phenomenon, as several popular votes have taken place over the last years intending to curtail the religious freedom of Muslims in particular. This chapter provides an overview and critical examination of the legal situation of Muslims in Switzerland. Part 1 examines in particular the tensions between direct democracy and religious freedom, and the relationship between the state and religion, taking into account Switzerland’s federal structure. The second part analyses the protection of and discrimination against Muslims at the legislative, executive and judicial levels, looking in particular at education, employment, specific aspects linked to religion as well as the protection against hate crime and hate speech.”