Content deleted Content added
ce |
GreenC bot (talk | contribs) Move 1 url. Wayback Medic 2.5 per WP:URLREQ#time.com |
||
| (45 intermediate revisions by 31 users not shown) | |||
Line 1:
{{Short description|Fundamental foreign policy of Switzerland}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{Essay-like|date=October 2023}}
{{Expand German|Neutralität der Schweiz|date=May 2016}}
}}
'''Swiss neutrality''' is one of the main principles of [[Foreign relations of Switzerland|Switzerland's foreign policy]] which dictates that [[Switzerland]] is not to be involved in armed or political conflicts between other states.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://encyclopedia.1914-1918-online.net/article/politics_and_neutrality_switzerland|title=Domestic Politics and Neutrality (Switzerland) | International Encyclopedia of the First World War (WW1)|website=encyclopedia.1914-1918-online.net}}</ref> This policy is self-imposed and designed to ensure external security and promote peace.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/neutrality-remains-a-core-principle/291974|title=Neutrality remains a core principle|website=SWI swissinfo.ch}}</ref>▼
▲
Switzerland has the oldest policy of [[Neutral country|military neutrality]] in the world;<ref>[https://www.adducation.info/general-knowledge-politics-religion/all-neutral-countries/ List of Neutral Countries]. Adducation. 2016. Downloaded Sep. 17, 2017.</ref> it has not participated in a foreign war since its neutrality was established by the [[Treaty of Paris (1815)#Act on the Neutrality of Switzerland|Treaty of Paris]] in 1815, although the country did have a [[Sonderbund War|civil war]] in 1847.▼
▲Switzerland has the oldest policy of [[Neutral country|military neutrality]] in the world;<ref>[https://www.adducation.info/general-knowledge-politics-religion/all-neutral-countries/ List of Neutral Countries]. Adducation. 2016. Downloaded Sep. 17, 2017.</ref> it has not participated in a foreign war since its neutrality was established by the [[Treaty of Paris (1815)#Act on the Neutrality of Switzerland|Treaty of Paris]] in 1815
Although the European powers (Austria, France, the United Kingdom, Portugal, Prussia, Russia, Spain and Sweden) agreed at the [[Congress of Vienna]] in May 1815 that Switzerland should be neutral, final ratification was delayed until after [[Battle of Waterloo|Napoleon Bonaparte was defeated]] so that some [[Hundred Days|coalition forces]] could invade France via Swiss territory.<ref>{{Cite book |author=Thomas Fleiner |author2=Alexander Misic |author3= Nicole Töpperwien |title=Swiss Constitutional Law |page=28 |publisher=[[Kluwer Law International]] |date=5 August 2005 |isbn=978-9041124043}}</ref>▼
▲Although the European powers ([[Austria]], [[France]], [[the United Kingdom]], [[Portugal]], [[Prussia]], [[Russia]], [[Spain]] and [[Sweden]]) agreed at the [[Congress of Vienna]] in May 1815 that Switzerland should be neutral, final ratification was delayed until after [[Battle of Waterloo|Napoleon Bonaparte was defeated]] so that some [[Hundred Days|coalition forces]] could invade France via Swiss territory.<ref>{{Cite book |author=Thomas Fleiner |author2=Alexander Misic |author3= Nicole Töpperwien |title=Swiss Constitutional Law |page=28 |publisher=[[Kluwer Law International]] |date=5 August 2005 |isbn=978-9041124043}}</ref>
The country has a history of [[armed neutrality]] going back to the [[Reformation in Switzerland|Reformation]]; it has not been in a state of war internationally since 1815 and did not join the [[United Nations]] until 2002.<ref>{{cite web|title=Moving towards the UN in slow motion|url=http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/moving-towards-the-un-in-slow-motion/291972|website=Swissinfo|access-date=18 January 2017}}</ref> It pursues an active foreign policy and is frequently involved in peace-building processes around the world.<ref name=Oppenheim-176>Lassa Oppenheim, Ronald Roxburgh (2005). ''International Law'', The Lawbook Exchange, Ltd. {{ISBN|978-1-58477-609-3}}. [https://books.google.com/books?id=vxJ1Jwmyw0EC&pg=PA173 p. 173]</ref><ref>''The Parliamentary Debates from the Year 1803 to the Present Time'', Volume 32 (1 February to 6 March 1816), Hansard, [https://books.google.com/books?id=I8ETAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA1231 p. 308]</ref>▼
▲The country has a history of [[armed neutrality]] going back to the [[Reformation in Switzerland|Reformation]]; it has not been in a state of war internationally since 1815<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Sheldon |first=Huntington D. |author-link=Huntington D. Sheldon |date=1955-04-23 |title=A short history of Switzerland's neutrality |url=https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP91T01172R000300060017-6.pdf |access-date=2024-10-19 |website=[[Central Intelligence Agency]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=18 July 2024 |title=The History of Switzerland |url=https://www.eda.admin.ch/aboutswitzerland/en/home/politik-geschichte/geschichte-der-schweiz.html |access-date=2024-10-19 |website=Swissinfo}}</ref> apart from the [[Sonderbund War]] (Switzerland civil war), joining the [[League of Nations]] in 1920<ref name=":2" /> and did not join the [[United Nations]] until 2002.<ref>{{cite web|title=Moving towards the UN in slow motion|url=http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/moving-towards-the-un-in-slow-motion/291972|website=Swissinfo|date=25 May 2007 |access-date=18 January 2017}}</ref> It pursues an active foreign policy and is frequently involved in peace-building processes around the world.<ref name=Oppenheim-176>Lassa Oppenheim, Ronald Roxburgh (2005). ''International Law'', The Lawbook Exchange, Ltd. {{ISBN|978-1-58477-609-3}}. [https://books.google.com/books?id=vxJ1Jwmyw0EC&pg=PA173 p. 173]</ref><ref>''The Parliamentary Debates from the Year 1803 to the Present Time'', Volume 32 (1 February to 6 March 1816), Hansard, [https://books.google.com/books?id=I8ETAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA1231 p. 308]</ref>
According to Swiss president [[Ignazio Cassis]] in 2022 during a [[World Economic Forum]] speech, the laws of neutrality for Switzerland are based on The Hague agreement principles which include "no participation in wars; international cooperation but no membership in any military alliance; no provision of troops or weapons to warring parties and no granting of transition rights".<ref name="YouTube 2022">{{cite web | title=Welcoming Remarks and Special Address – Davos – #WEF22 | website=YouTube | date=2022-05-27 | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTfW-cchpYA | access-date=2022-05-27}}</ref>▼
▲On February 28, 2022, Switzerland imposed [[economic sanctions]] on [[Russia]] and froze a significant amount of assets held by Russian civilians and companies as "punishment" for the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine|invasion of Ukraine]]. Some described this as "a sharp deviation from the country's traditional neutrality."<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Shields |first1=Michael |last2=Koltrowitz |first2=Silke |date=February 28, 2022 |title=Neutral Swiss adopt EU sanctions against Russia in break with past |website=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/neutral-swiss-adopt-sanctions-against-russia-2022-02-28/ |access-date=May 6, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228135146/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/neutral-swiss-adopt-sanctions-against-russia-2022-02-28/ |archive-date=2022-02-28 }}</ref> According to Swiss president [[Ignazio Cassis]] in 2022 during a [[World Economic Forum]] speech, the laws of neutrality for Switzerland are based on The Hague agreement principles which include "no participation in wars; international cooperation but no membership in any military alliance; no provision of troops or weapons to warring parties and no granting of transition rights".<ref name="YouTube 2022">{{cite web | title=Welcoming Remarks and Special Address – Davos – #WEF22 | website=YouTube | date=2022-05-27 | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTfW-cchpYA | access-date=2022-05-27}}</ref>
==Origins==
Line 27 ⟶ 30:
===World War I===
[[File:Map 1914 WWI Alliances.jpg|thumb|200x200px|Europe in 1910 with World War I alliances highlighted. Switzerland (yellow) found itself surrounded by members of opposing alliances.]]
During the [[World War I|First World War]], Switzerland sustained its policy of neutrality despite sharing land borders with two of the [[Central Powers]] ([[German Empire|Germany]] and [[Austria-Hungary]]) and two of the [[Allies of World War I|Allied Powers]] ([[French Third Republic|France]] and [[Kingdom of Italy|Italy]]). The German-speaking majority in Switzerland generally favoured the Central Powers whilst the French-speaking and Italian-speaking populations favoured the Allied Powers. This sparked internal tensions; however, the country was able to maintain its neutrality.<ref name="HDS WWI Intro">{{HDS|8926|World War I-Introduction}}</ref>
Line 33 ⟶ 36:
===Interwar period===
The [[League of Nations]] formally recognized Swiss neutrality on February 13, 1920.<ref name="WhyNeutral"/><ref>{{cite magazine | last1=Latson | first1=Jennifer | title=Switzerland Takes a Side for Neutrality | url=
===World War II===
Switzerland found itself completely surrounded by the [[Axis powers]] and Axis-controlled territory for most of [[World War II]]. [[Nazi Germany]] planned [[Operation Tannenbaum|an invasion of Switzerland]], and Switzerland made preparations for such an occurrence. At one point, Switzerland mobilized 850,000 soldiers.{{sfn|Bonjour|1978|p=431}} Under the leadership of [[Henri Guisan]], Switzerland developed its [[National Redoubt (Switzerland)|National Redoubt]] plan in case of an invasion. Although there were skirmishes in the air, resulting in heavy losses to the Luftwaffe, it never escalated to a full war.
Although Switzerland was criticized by many for its ambiguous stance during [[World War II]], its neutrality has been appreciated on several occasions by both European and non-European leaders.
Line 62 ⟶ 65:
The Swiss, although somewhat skeptical, reacted by treating these violations of their neutrality as "accidents". The United States was warned that single aircraft would be forced down, and their crews would still be allowed to seek refuge, while bomber formations in violation of airspace would be intercepted. While American politicians and diplomats tried to minimise the political damage caused by these incidents, others took a more hostile view. Some senior commanders argued that as Switzerland was "full of German sympathisers", it deserved to be bombed.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gTtnAAAAMAAJ&q=Switzerland+was+full+of+German+sympathizers|title=Shot from the sky: American POWs in Switzerland|last=Prince|first=Cathryn|publisher=[[Naval Institute Press]]|year=2003|isbn=1-55750-433-4|location=Annapolis, Maryland|page=179}}</ref> General [[Henry H. Arnold]], Commanding General of the [[U.S. Army Air Forces]], even suggested that it was the Germans themselves who were flying captured Allied planes over Switzerland in an attempt to gain a propaganda victory.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3SRqcl3FsBEC&q=watime+intelligence+reports+of+allen+dulles|title=From Hitler's Doorstep: the Wartime Intelligence Reports of Allen Dulles, 1942–1945|last=Petersen|first=Neal|publisher=[[Penn State Press]]|year=1996|isbn=0-271-01485-7|location=[[University Park, Pennsylvania]]|page=398}}</ref>
==1945–present==
{{See also|Switzerland–NATO relations}}
Following World War II, Switzerland began taking a more active role in humanitarian activities.<ref name="WhyNeutral"/>
It joined the [[United Nations]] after [[2002 Swiss referendums|a March 2002 referendum]]. 10 years after Switzerland joined the [[United Nations|UN]], in recorded votes in the [[United Nations General Assembly]], Switzerland occupied a middle position, siding from time to time with member states like the United States and Israel, but at other times with countries like China. In the [[United Nations Human Rights Council]] Switzerland sided much more with Western countries and against countries like China and Russia.<ref>
Switzerland participated in the development of the [[International Code of Conduct for Private Security Service Providers]] (ICoC), intended as an oversight mechanism of private security providers. In September 2015, a "Federal Act on Private Security Services provided Abroad" was introduced, in order to "[preserve] Swiss neutrality", as stated in its first article.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.admin.ch/opc/en/classified-compilation/20122320/index.html |title=Federal Act on Private Security Services provided Abroad |date=1 September 2015 |website=Portal of the Swiss Government |access-date=13 March 2017 | language=en}}</ref> It requires Switzerland-based [[private security companies]] to declare all operations conducted abroad, and to adhere to the ICoC. Moreover, it states that no physical or moral person falling under this law can participate directly—or indirectly through the offer of private security services—in any hostilities abroad.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/fr/dfae/politique-exterieure/politique-securite/bundesgesetz-ueber-die-im-ausland-erbrachten-privaten-sicherheit.html |title=Loi fédérale sur les prestations de sécurité privées fournies à l'étranger |date=6 December 2016 |website=Portal of the Swiss Government |access-date=13 March 2017 | language=fr}}</ref> In 2016, the Section of Private Security Services (SPSS), an organ of the [[Federal Department of Foreign Affairs]] in charge of the procedures defined by the new law, has received 300 approval requests.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.letemps.ch/suisse/2017/03/12/pression-berne-entreprises-securite-privees-sortent-lombre |title=Sous pression de Berne, les entreprises de sécurité privées sortent de l'ombre |date=12 March 2016 |newspaper=Le Temps |access-date=13 March 2017 | language=fr}}</ref>
In 2011, Switzerland registered as a candidate for a seat on the [[United Nations Security Council]] in 2023–2024. In a 2015 report requested by parliament, the government stated that a Swiss seat on the Security Council would be "fully compatible with the principles of neutrality and with Switzerland’s neutrality policy". Opponents of the project such as former ambassador
In 2014 Switzerland did not adopt [[International sanctions during the Russo-Ukrainian War|EU-sanctions]] against [[Russia]] after the [[Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation|annexation of Crimea]], but implemented rules that prevented bypassing the sanctions imposed by the [[European Union]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=swissinfo.ch |first=<Peter Siegenthaler> |title=EU-Sanktionen: umstrittene Position der Schweiz |url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/ger/politik/ukraine-krise_eu-sanktionen--umstrittene-position-der-schweiz/40567936 |access-date=2022-10-13 |website=SWI swissinfo.ch |date=24 August 2014 |language=de}}</ref>
A 2018 survey found that 95% of Swiss were in favor of maintaining neutrality.<ref>[https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/focus-page-foreign-policy_how-neutral-is-switzerland--really-/45810276 How neutral is Switzerland, really?], SWI swissinfo.ch, [[Swiss Broadcasting Corporation]]</ref>
=== Sales of Chemical Warfare Equipment to Iraq ===
===Conflicts in the Middle East===▼
Switzerland was involved in [[Iraqi invasion of Iran|Iraqi Invasion of Iran]],<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20040601181327/http://projects.sipri.se/armstrade/Trnd_Ind_IRQ_Imps_73-02.pdf</ref> by providing dual use material and technology that [[Iraqi chemical attacks against Iran|allowed Iraq to target Iranian troops and civilians]],<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20170510104458/http://www.cbrneworld.com/_uploads/download_magazines/Long_legacy.pdf</ref> leaving more than 100,000 [[Disabled Iranian veterans|casualties]]. Switzerland also sold chemical warfare defense equipment to Iran,<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20130607155707/http://csis.org/files/media/csis/pubs/9005lessonsiraniraqii-chap10.pdf</ref> and later joined a multinational team of specialists dispatched by the UN to Iran to investigate and confirm the casualties.
The Swiss Armed Forces participated in the U.S.-led [[War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)|War in Afghanistan]] as observers, in what the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation described as the nation's "first military deployment since 1815".<ref>{{Cite web |author=<!--not stated--> |title=Switzerland 'regrets' US sanctions against ICC employees |url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/international-accountability_switzerland--regrets--us-sanctions-against-icc-employees/45830070 |date=13 June 2020 |website=Swissinfo |language=en}}</ref> During the [[2003 invasion of Iraq]], the [[United States]] was given permission to use Swiss airspace for surveillance missions over [[Iraq]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Jacob |last=Greber |title=US allowed limited use of Swiss airspace |url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/us-allowed-limited-use-of-swiss-airspace/3176190 |work=[[Swissinfo]] |date=20 March 2003}}</ref> ▼
▲=== Conflicts in the Middle East ===
Switzerland sent weapons to [[Egypt]], [[Bahrain]], [[Saudi Arabia]] and the [[United Arab Emirates]], which were involved in the [[Saudi Arabian–led intervention in Yemen]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Swiss weapons exports – an explosive business |url=https://www.swisscommunity.org/en/news-media/swiss-review/article/swiss-weapons-exports-an-explosive-business |work=Swiss Community |publisher=Organisation of the Swiss Abroad |date=15 November 2016}}</ref>▼
▲The Swiss Armed Forces participated in the U.S.-led [[War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)|War in Afghanistan]] as observers, in what the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation described as the nation's "first military deployment since 1815".<ref>{{Cite web |author=<!--not stated--> |title=Switzerland 'regrets' US sanctions against ICC employees |url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/international-accountability_switzerland--regrets--us-sanctions-against-icc-employees/45830070 |date=13 June 2020 |website=Swissinfo |language=en}}</ref> During the [[2003 invasion of Iraq]], the [[United States]] was given permission to use Swiss airspace for surveillance missions over [[Iraq]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Jacob |last=Greber |title=US allowed limited use of Swiss airspace |url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/us-allowed-limited-use-of-swiss-airspace/3176190 |work=[[Swissinfo]] |date=20 March 2003}}</ref>
▲Switzerland sent weapons to [[Egypt]], [[Bahrain]], [[Saudi Arabia]] and the [[United Arab Emirates]], some of which were involved in the [[Saudi Arabian–led intervention in Yemen]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Swiss weapons exports – an explosive business |url=https://www.swisscommunity.org/en/news-media/swiss-review/article/swiss-weapons-exports-an-explosive-business |work=Swiss Community |publisher=Organisation of the Swiss Abroad |date=15 November 2016}}</ref>
===Russian invasion of Ukraine (2022)===▼
{{see also|Russia–Switzerland relations}}
The [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]] sparked debate over the meaning and status of Swiss neutrality.<ref>{{cite web | last=O'Sullivan | first=Domhnall | title=How two years of war in Ukraine have marked Switzerland | website=SWI swissinfo.ch | date=24 February 2024 | url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/foreign-affairs/russia-ukraine-war-how-switzerland-has-reacted-to-two-years-of-conflict-in-europe/72897134 | access-date=4 March 2024}}</ref> In February 2022, Switzerland adopted [[International sanctions during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine#EU sanctions|sanctions imposed by the European Union]] against Russia in response to the
According to federal councilor [[Viola Amherd]], Switzerland is only involved in humanitarian missions and will not allow direct shipments of arms to the war zone from or through its territory.<ref>{{cite AV media |url=https://www.srf.ch/play/tv/srf-news-spezial/video/medienkonferenz-des-bundesrats-zum-krieg-in-der-ukraine?urn=urn:srf:video:6c961cf6-19ae-455c-8991-f878ba748354 |title=Medienkonferenz des Bundesrats zum Krieg in der Ukraine |trans-title=Media conference of the Federal Council on the war in Ukraine |publisher=[[Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen]] |lang=de,fr,it |access-date=28 February 2022}}</ref> Irrespective of the actual laws governing a [[neutral country]], many media outlets still labelled this as a break with 500 years of Swiss neutrality.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 28, 2022 |first=Alex |last=Seitz-Wald |title='A new Europe' united against Russia – even neutral Switzerland |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/-new-europe-united-russia-even-neutral-switzerland-rcna18028 |access-date=2022-03-01 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Jones |first=Sam |date=2022-02-28 |title=Swiss break neutrality tradition to match EU sanctions on Russia |work=Financial Times |url=https://www.ft.com/content/80c268fa-61d4-42ac-a9f4-310f12678c43 |access-date=2022-03-01}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Switzerland drops neutrality, backs EU sanctions on Russia, Putin. Get the latest. |agency=Associated Press |date=February 28, 2022 |url=https://www.koamnewsnow.com/i/switzerland-drops-neutrality-backs-eu-sanctions-on-russia-putin-get-the-latest/ |access-date=2022-03-01 |website=KOAM |language=en-US |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220327032046/https://www.koamnewsnow.com/i/switzerland-drops-neutrality-backs-eu-sanctions-on-russia-putin-get-the-latest/ |archive-date=2022-03-27}}</ref> Russia perceived the sanctions in a similar way, as it rejected Switzerland's offer to mediate the conflict.<ref>{{Cite web |author=<!--not stated--> |title=Russia rejects Swiss plan to act as a go-between with Ukraine |date=11 August 2022 |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/8/11/russia-rejects-swiss-plan-to-act-as-a-go-between-with-ukraine |access-date=2022-08-11 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref> In February 2022, Switzerland further adopted the sanctioning of Russia by the European Union and froze many Russian bank accounts.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Shields |first1=Michael |last2=Koltrowitz |first2=Silke |date=2022-02-28 |title=Neutral Swiss join EU sanctions against Russia |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/neutral-swiss-adopt-sanctions-against-russia-2022-02-28/ |access-date=2022-03-05}}</ref> Analysts said the move would affect the [[Swiss economy]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.thelocal.ch/20220305/neutral-switzerlands-economy-shaken-by-sanctions-on-russia/ | title=Neutral Switzerland's economy shaken by sanctions on Russia |work=The Local | date=5 March 2022 |agency=Agence France-Presse |access-date=26 August 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.rfi.fr/en/international/20220305-surounded-by-nato-and-eu-switzerland-backs-anti-russia-sanctions-but-it-comes-with-a-price | title=Abandoning neutrality, Switzerland backs anti-Russia sanctions-but it comes with a price |agency=Agence France-Presse |date=5 March 2022 |access-date=26 August 2023}}</ref>
In March 2022, former [[Federal Council (Switzerland)|Swiss federal councilor]] [[Christoph Blocher]] announced the [[ballot initiative]] 'Pro Souveräne Schweiz' (PSS), which would amend "integral neutrality" to the [[Swiss constitution]]. If approved, economic sanctions for example against Russia in 2022, would constitute a violation of Swiss neutrality. The initiative scheduled to be launched in fall 2022
In April 2022, the [[Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research|Federal Department of Economic Affairs]] vetoed [[Germany]]'s request to [[Re-exportation|re-export]] Swiss ammunition to Ukraine on the basis of Swiss neutrality and the mandatory rejection criteria of the war material legislation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/swiss-veto-german-request-re-export-ammunition-ukraine-paper-2022-04-24/|title=Swiss veto German request to re-export ammunition to Ukraine, SonntagsZeitung reports|date=2022-04-24|first=Michael|last=Shields|editor1-last=Kasolowsky|editor1-first=Raissa|work=[[Reuters]]|access-date=2022-04-25}}</ref> The defence ministry of Switzerland, initiated a report in May 2022 analyzing various military options, including increased cooperation and joint military exercises with NATO.<ref name=leans/> However, NATO membership remains unpopular. A poll from March 2022 found that 27% of those surveyed supported Switzerland joining NATO, while 67% were opposed.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.lematin.ch/story/trois-quarts-des-suisses-approuvent-les-sanctions-europeennes-971374128302|title=Trois quarts des Suisses approuvent les sanctions européennes contre la Russie |language=fr |trans-title=Three quarters of Swiss approve of European sanctions against Russia |date=2022-03-23|first=Eric|last=Felley|newspaper=Le Matin }}</ref> Another from May 2022 indicated 33% of Swiss supported [[Switzerland–NATO relations|NATO membership for Switzerland]], and 56% supported increased ties with NATO.<ref name="leans">{{cite news |url= https://www.reuters.com/markets/europe/neutral-switzerland-leans-closer-nato-response-russia-2022-05-15/ |title= Analysis: Neutral Switzerland leans closer to NATO in response to Russia |website= Reuters |date= 16 May 2022 |first= John |last= Revill |access-date= 18 May 2022}}</ref>
In September 2022 the [[Parliament of Switzerland]] voted against a revision of its law to impose independent sanctions.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Eigenständige Schweizer Sanktionen sind vorerst vom Tisch |trans-title=Independent Swiss sanctions off the table for the time being |url=https://www.parlament.ch/de/services/news/Seiten/2022/20220929130242730194158159038_bsd115.aspx |access-date=2022-10-13 |publisher=
In July 2023, Switzerland signed a declaration of intent to join the [[European Sky Shield Initiative]] (ESSI), to contribute to building a pan-European air and [[Missile defense|missile defense system]], while also allowing the nation to train with and purchase military systems together with other [[European nations]], newly raising questions about the future and practicalities of the policy of neutrality.<ref name="bbc-essi">{{cite web |last=Foulkes |first=Imogen |date=7 July 2023 |title=Neutral Swiss and Austrians join Europe's Sky Shield defence |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-66130857 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707173858/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-66130857 |archive-date=7 July 2023 |access-date=8 July 2023 |website=BBC News}}</ref> In October 2024 Switzerland joined the ESSI.<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/neutral-switzerland-signs-declaration-join-european-sky-shield-initiative-2024-10-18/ (Reuters)]</ref>
A [[List of Swiss federal referendums|referendum]] on enshrining neutrality into Switzerland's constitution is expected in 2024, after sufficient signatures were collected to certify the initiative.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://time.com/6966223/switzerland-neutrality-initiative-vote/|title=The People of Switzerland Will Get to Vote on Their Country's Famous 'Neutrality'|date=2024-04-12|accessdate=2024-04-12|publisher=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]}}</ref>
==Criticism==
Swiss neutrality has been questioned at times, notably regarding [[Switzerland during the World Wars|Switzerland's role during World War II]] and the [[ICRC]], the looted [[Nazi gold#Disposal|Nazi gold]] (and later during [[Operation Gladio#Switzerland|Operation Gladio]]), its economic ties to the [[apartheid]] regime in [[South Africa]], and more recently in the [[Crypto AG]] espionage case.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.letemps.ch/suisse/scandale-crypto-plusieurs-ministres-savaient-selon-presse |title=Scandale Crypto: plusieurs ministres savaient, selon la presse |language=fr |trans-title=Crypto scandal: several ministers knew, according to the press |agency=[[Swiss Telegraphic Agency]] |date=16 February 2020 |newspaper=Le Temps |access-date=26 August 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/politics/press-review_latest-spy-scandal--shatters-swiss-neutrality---say-papers/45553888 |title=Latest spy scandal 'shatters Swiss neutrality', say papers |date=February 12, 2020 |first=Thomas |last=Stephens |website=Swissinfo |access-date=26 August 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/politics/spying-affair_has--crypto-leaks--exposed-swiss-neutrality-as-a-sham-/45558476 |title=Has 'Crypto Leaks' exposed Swiss neutrality as a sham? |date=February 14, 2020 |first=Kathrin |last=Ammann |website=Swissinfo |access-date=26 August 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uek.ch/en/publikationen1997-2000/golde.pdf |title=Switzerland and Gold Transactions in the Second World War |author=Bergier Commission |date=May 1998 |access-date=5 July 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.icrc.org/eng/resources/documents/misc/history-holocauste-020205.htm |title=ICRC in WW II: the Holocaust |publisher=International Committee of the Red Cross |date=23 January 2020 |access-date=2012-08-28}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/nazis/readings/sinister.html|title=The Sinister Face Of 'Neutrality' |work=Frontline |publisher=PBS |author=Institute of the World Jewish Congress |date=<!--not given--> |access-date=26 August 2023}}</ref>
Switzerland also supplied weapons to Saudi Arabia during the Saudi-led intervention in the Yemen, contrary to their own standards of selling weapons to countries involved in armed conflict.<ref>{{cite web | last=Turuban | first=Pauline | title=Investigation exposes the use of Swiss arms in war zones | website=SWI swissinfo.ch | date=4 March 2022 | url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/politics/investigation-exposes-the-use-of-swiss-arms-in-war-zones/47394434 | access-date=3 January 2024}}</ref>
Swiss aid to Ukraine after Russia's invasion in February 2022 has led some to questioning whether Switzerland is fully neutral anymore. Some have called for changing the laws of neutrality.<ref>Thomas Quinn Marabello. "Challenges to Swiss Democracy: Neutrality, Napoleon, & Nationalism," Swiss American Historical Society Review: Jun. 2023, Vol. 59: No. 2. Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/sahs_review/vol59/iss2/5
==See also==
* [[Neutral country]]
* [[Austrian neutrality]]
* [[Finlandization]]
* [[
* [[Moldovan neutrality]]
* [[Neutral and Non-Aligned European States]]
* [[Non-interventionism]]
* [[Swedish neutrality]]
* [[Switzerland–NATO relations]]
Line 121 ⟶ 137:
[[Category:International relations theory]]
[[Category:Non-interventionism]]
[[Category:Neutrality by country]]
| |||