29 September 2020, 18:30-20:00
Event
Anja
In order to prevent and combat terrorism and violent extremism, a number of European States have adopted far-reaching laws to criminalize participation in or support to terrorist organizations. Some have also adopted administrative measures, such as control orders, with a view to preventing terrorism.
The Swiss Parliament adopted on 25 September 2020 two controversial laws along these lines (see here and here). A number of international lawyers and human rights activists have voiced their concerns in relation to the potential impact of those laws on human rights and humanitarian action notably. Some of these concerns have been taken on board by the Parliament – notably regarding an exemption for humanitarian activities in relation to the criminalization of support to terrorist organizations. Others, such as the vague definition of terrorism or the risk of violating the European Convention on Human Rights in relation to drastic control orders for potential ‘terrorists’ have remained unheeded.
This panel will discuss the legal and policy challenges of the new Swiss laws in light of international law.
This event will take place both at Villa Moynier in Geneva and online on the platform Zoom.
Those wishing to attend the meeting in Geneva at our headquarters (Villa Moynier) must announce themselves (events[at]geneva-academy.ch). As the capacity of the conference room is limited to 20 participants to respect current regulations regarding social distancing, places will be allocated on a ‘first-come-first-served’ basis. The wearing of a mask inside the premises is required.
To follow the meeting online, register here. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Panelists discussed the legal and policy challenges of the new Swiss counter-terrorism laws in light of international law, including international human rights law and international humanitarian law.
News
The 2025 Latsis Symposium on Science for Global Development and Humanitarian Action, organized by ETH for Development, gave prominent space to human rights issues.
News
Geneva Academy
Sixteen diplomats from fifteen Small Island Developing States and Least Developed Countries participated in a two-day Practical Training on Human Rights Council Procedures.
Project
Adobe
This research will provide legal expertise to a variety of stakeholders on the implementation of the right to food, and on the right to food as a legal basis for just transformation toward sustainable food systems in Europe. It will also identify lessons learned from the 2023 recognition of the right to food in the Constitution of the Canton of Geneva.
Project
Adobe Stock
This project addresses the human rights implications stemming from the development of neurotechnology for commercial, non-therapeutic ends, and is based on a partnership between the Geneva Academy, the Geneva University Neurocentre and the UN Human Rights Council Advisory Committee.
Publication