Expert group reviews Switzerland’s implementation of the Istanbul Convention for the first time
Bern, 03.02.2022 - How well is Switzerland implementing the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention)? To answer this question, the independent expert group GREVIO is visiting Switzerland for the first time from 7 to 11 February 2022. For the evaluation, they will meet delegates from federal and cantonal authorities and civil society organisations, as well as visit various institutions.
GREVIO (Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence) has defined a set of priorities for its visit to Switzerland including violence prevention, victim support, the application of criminal law in practice as well as the topic of migration and gender-based violence.
In addition to working meetings with federal offices such as the Federal Office for Gender Equality, the Federal Office of Public Health, the Federal Office of Justice and the State Secretariat for Migration, talks are planned with the relevant intercantonal conferences (Conference of Cantonal Social Directors, Conference of Cantonal Justice and Police Directors, the Swiss Conference against Domestic Violence and the Conference for Child and Adult Protection). GREVIO will also meet representatives from the municipal level and non-governmental organisations.
The expert group will also visit three selected cantons. In the cantons of Bern, Lucerne and Vaud, the delegation will talk to judges about court practice. It will also visit the federal asylum centre in Bern, the Lucerne victim advisory centre and Lausanne University Hospital.
The Istanbul Convention came into force in Switzerland on 1 April 2018. Through GREVIO, the Council of Europe verifies that member states are complying with the provisions of the convention. GREVIO's evaluation is based on the first country report, which Switzerland published last year, and the upcoming country visit. Based on the results of the evaluation, GREVIO will provide recommendations to Switzerland by the end of 2022.
Address for enquiries
Federal Office for Gender Equality
Schwarztorstrasse 51
3003 Bern
Publisher
Federal Office for Gender Equality
https://www.ebg.admin.ch/en
General Secretariat FDHA
http://www.edi.admin.ch
