Court dismisses discrimination case against Swiss paraplegic
The European Court of Human Rights has thrown out a complaint by a Swiss paraplegic about his inability to gain access to a cinema in Geneva.
This content was published on
2 minutes
swissinfo.ch/urs
The Strasbourg-based panel of judges declared the application of the wheelchair-bound man inadmissibleExternal link, saying the “right to respect for private and family life” did not apply in this case.
“The court thus saw no cause to go against the findings of the Federal Court, which had held that the convention [on the protection against discrimination] did not oblige Switzerland to adopt, in its domestic legislation, a concept of discrimination of the kind sought [by the complainant]”, according to a court statement published on Thursday.
The incident dates back to 2008 when the man was refused access to a local Geneva cinema. Its management referred to internal safety instructions as the building was not adapted to wheelchair users.
The applicant claimed he had been the victim of discrimination and filed a complaint at a local court in 2009, which dismissed the case, as did all higher courts in Switzerland over the next two years.
Disappointment
Inclusion HandicapExternal link, the organisation representing disabled people in Switzerland, expressed disappointment about the European court ruling, saying it left disabled people in Switzerland “to a large extent unprotected against discriminatory services by private operators”.
However, Inclusion Handicap says Swiss laws will continue to come under pressure as they are “not compatible with the United Nations conventionExternal link on the rights of persons with disabilities”.
A UN body is due to review Switzerland’s policy next year.
More
More
People in wheelchairs can drink and drive!
This content was published on
“True Talk” puts people in front of the camera who are fighting prejudice. We speak to Hitzi, who says Switzerland is not at all wheelchair friendly.
Geneva decides not to remove controversial memorials
This content was published on
The city of Geneva has presented an action plan regarding a series of controversial local statues and monuments of historical figures linked to racism, colonialism or slavery.
University of Lausanne calls for end to pro-Palestine sit-in
This content was published on
The pro-Palestinian occupation continues at the University of Lausanne (UNIL). On Monday evening, a group of students refused to agree to the deadline set by the rectorate.
Ukraine peace conference should include Russia, says Chinese ambassador
This content was published on
China supports a peace conference on the Ukraine war that would see equal participation of all parties, says Chinese Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui.
This content was published on
A majority of Swiss citizens have open attitudes towards various infertility treatments, including even egg donation, which is currently prohibited.
Reports of Swiss cyber fraud almost doubled in six months
This content was published on
The head of the new Federal Office for Cybersecurity (FOC), Florian Schütz, has presented a new strategy after just over four months in office.
Ecological status of Swiss streams insufficient according to study
This content was published on
Pesticide use and obstructions of waterways have a particularly negative impact on sensitive organisms, completely absent in 70% of streams analysed.
Train line between Brig and Domodossola interrupted
This content was published on
One day after a derailment approximately 15 kilometres from the Swiss border, BLS is running buses for passengers between Preglia and Domodossola, in Italy.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Disabled group takes Swiss trains to Supreme Court
This content was published on
Switzerland’s umbrella organisation for disabled groups is taking the new double-decker trains to the Supreme Court, saying they are illegal.
This content was published on
In Switzerland many deaf pupils go to mainstream schools. But the Swiss Federation of the Deaf says that many pupils struggle with this approach.
This content was published on
At eight years old, Manarekha still has difficulty speaking and counting. But now she is helped by a pioneering school in the Swiss canton of Ticino.
Should people with severe mental disabilities be able to vote?
This content was published on
People with disabilities who have been placed under full guardianship do not have the right to vote in Switzerland. Is this discrimination?
This content was published on
Only 18 months after requiring a wheelchair, Judith Safford has accomplished her dream of climbing several of Switzerland’s highest peaks.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.