5 THEODORA PETER Neutrality is as much a part of Switzerland’s identity as direct democracy is. Switzerland does not get involved in foreign conflicts, but helps out in humanitarian crises and acts as an intermediary. This understanding of its role met with a mixed reception on the international stage in the past. There were words of encouragement for its willingness and efforts to promote peace, and criticism for staying on the sidelines and profiteering – whether during the Second World War or during apartheid. Switzerland’s self-image as a non- partisan nation has been under the microscope once again since Russian troops marched into Ukraine in February this year. After initially hesitating, Switzerland also adopted the severe sanctions of the European Union (EU) to a hitherto unprecedented extent. “Playing into the hands of an aggressor is not being neutral,” argued Swiss Federal President Ignazio Cassis (FDP) as he explained the Federal Council’s position after war broke out, and referred to breaches of international humanitarian law by Russia. Conversely, the government expressly Switzerland has been practising neutrality for longer than virtually any other country. But is it in keeping with the times? The political debate on the issue was reignited by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Sooner or later, the underlying question will be decided at the polls. ruled out supplying weapons to Ukraine. As a neutral country under the Hague Convention of 1907, Switzerland may not favour any specific warring party. ‘Cooperative’ and ‘active’ neutrality There have been various concepts and notions of neutrality for centuries, as historian Marco Jorio illustrates in his article (“Which neutrality?”, page 7). Recently, Federal President Cassis proclaimed ‘cooperative neutrality’ at the World Economic Forum in Davos in May. In a speech delivered to the international public, the foreign minister emphasised that Switzerland was campaigning as a neutral country both for the fundamental values it holds dear and for globally shared values. “Switzerland therefore stands alongside the nations that refuse to look on passively while the foundations of democracy are attacked.” In addition, Switzerland is also willing to commit to a ‘stable security architecture’, which must be multilateral in order to exist. Cassis thus argued for Switzerland’s role as As war rages in Europe, Switzerland is wrestling with its neutrality a neutral intermediary accepted by all sides. Former Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey (SP) had already coined the term ‘active neutrality’ during her term of office (2003–2011). The country has transitioned from a “neutrality born of necessity, dictated by its security requirements, to an active neutrality based on the rights of the people”, the federal minister wrote in her 2020 book “Die Neutralität: Zwischen Mythos und Vorbild” (“Neutrality: Between Myth and Role Model”). In this book, Calmy-Rey even describes Switzerland joining the United Nations in 2002 and its 2011 application (approved by the Swiss Federal Council) for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council as a paradigm shift. Switzerland will assume its seat on the Security Council in 2023/2024. Christoph Blocher launches neutrality initiative One party that stands in stark opposition to the active extension of Swiss neutrality is the Swiss People’s Party (SVP). In the view of the SVP, adopting the EU’s sanctions against Russia Swiss Review / December 2022 / No.6
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