An expert commission has released the first of a set of publications aimed at highlighting the historical Swiss practice of "administrative detention" – the placing of "undesirables" in state facilities.
This content was published on
2 minutes
Keystone-SDA/dos
العربية
ar
وثائق جديدة تسلّط الضوء على التاريخ المظلم “للإحتجاز الإداري”
The independent commission, overseen by former Zurich parliamentarian Markus Notter, was mandated by the government to unearth the historical context and conditions for the practice, which continued until 1981.
On Monday, the group released the first of 10 publications planned between now and September, after which it will present a synthesis conclusion and recommendations for government.
The initial publication is based around portraits: some 60 concrete stories were gathered from those who underwent the practice of administrative detention; what they experienced, and how it affected their lives subsequently.
The commission is also organizing an exhibition that will travel around the country in the coming months to showcase the portraits and findings. Today, it began in Bern.
In addition, educational syllabi have been produced in collaboration with the commission that can be used by primary and secondary level teachers to raise the issue with younger students.
For decades, individuals viewed as “indolent”, “drunkards”, or “dissolute” – children and adults alike – were placed in administrative detention in Switzerland for disciplinary and re-educational purposes. Often no court decision was involved, and many were forced to work, while some were abused either physically or sexually.
Although the publication released on Monday is available only in the Swiss national languages of French, German, and Italian, the commission’s websiteExternal link provides further information and media about its work, and the history of those subjected to administrative detention.
First large-scale alpine solar plant approved in Switzerland
This content was published on
The approval was met with satisfaction by the project's organisers, but it also brings with it a certain amount of pressure.
Medieval squirrels may have ‘helped spread leprosy’
This content was published on
An examination of squirrel remains in the United Kingdom has opened up interesting questions and possibilities in terms of the history of the disease.
Swiss money laundering office registers record number of reports
This content was published on
The Money Laundering Reporting Office Switzerland (MROS) registered a record number of reports of suspicious activity last year.
Two teens accused of planning terror attack released from custody
This content was published on
The Schaffhausen judiciary has released the two teenagers from custody who allegedly planned bomb attacks in Switzerland.
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
Slow take-off in compensation of forced child workers
This content was published on
Fewer people than expected have applied to receive reparations through a government program to compensate so-called “discarded children.”
This content was published on
The number of former “discarded children” who have applied to receive government reparations has spiked ahead of an Easter deadline.
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.