The academic inquiry into compulsory social measures and placements is a central pillar of the entire process of coming to terms with the past. Its findings are intended in particular to help understand why and how compulsory social measures and placements were ordered and carried out. The inquiry also examines the impact on the victims and their families at the time, as well as the continuing effects today.
In 2014, the Federal Council appointed an Independent Expert Commission (IEC) to deal in particular with the history and mechanisms of administrative detention (its mandate ended in 2019). In addition to the work of the IEC, a national research programme (NRP 76 "Welfare and Coercion – Past, Present and Future") was entrusted with carrying out a comprehensive academic inquiry into all affected groups with explicit reference to the present and the future.
The work of the IEC and the NRP 76 are coordinated to complement each other in terms of content. This is in order to provide as complete a picture as possible of the various compulsory social measures and placements. Strong emphasis is to be placed on the relevance to the present day, especially in the NRP 76.
IEC’s review of administrative detention
From 2014–2018, the IEC investigated administrative detention in Switzerland. The research results and final report were published in 10 volumes in autumn 2019. The IEC’s work has shown that administrative detention was a phenomenon of considerable magnitude. During the entire 20th century, at least 60 000 people were administratively detained in around 650 institutions throughout Switzerland – without having committed an offence and without having been convicted by a court.
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"Administrative Versorgungen: Die Rehabilitierung der betroffenen Personen steht erst am Anfang "
Medienmitteilung der UEK vom 2. September 2019
(This document is not available in English) - Zentrale Erkenntnisse der UEK Administrative Versorgungen
- Principales conclusions de la CIE Internements Administratifs
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I principali risultati della CPI Internamenti Amministrativi
(This document is not available in English)
- Comprehensive information on the work of the IEC
NRP 76 "Welfare and Coercion – Past, Present and Future"
In February 2017, the Federal Council commissioned the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) to conduct a new national research programme entitled "Welfare and Coercion – Past, Present and Future" (NRP 76). The programme conducted a thorough investigation into the issue using a multi-disciplinary approach.
A total of 29 research projects examined the characteristics, mechanisms and effects of Swiss welfare policy and practice, identified possible causes of welfare practices that had an impact on the integrity of the persons concerned, and explored how they were affected by these practices.
The findings of the NRP 76 were made publicly available and discussed with interested parties. The aim was to strengthen the academic voice on the topic of welfare and coercion, thus providing decision-makers with academically supported, reference-based knowledge, and impetus for action.
The research findings were published from autumn 2022 on an ongoing basis. Three thematic publications and the final synthesis report were published in the first half of 2024.
Other research projects
There has been a diverse range of methodological research on compulsory social measures and placements up until present.
In addition to the two above-mentioned nationwide research projects commissioned by the Confederation, a significant contribution to the academic inquiry into compulsory social measures and placements is also being made by the cantons, the cities and communes, institutions (churches, homes, correctional facilities, psychiatric clinics, etc.) and professional associations. A large number of research projects that specifically look at local, cantonal references and focus on individual institutions have been and continue to be funded and supported.
A large number of academic theses and studies on the subject also exist, some of which have been produced within the framework of the SNSF funding programmes (the Sinergia project "Placing children in care") and other national research programmes (e.g. NRP 51 "Social Integration and Social Exclusion" and NFP 58 "Religions, the State and Society").
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Sinergia-Projekt "Placing Children in Care"
(This document is not available in English)
- NFP 51 "Social Integration and Social Exclusion"
- NFP 58 "Religions, the State and Society"
Legal basis
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Federal Act on Compulsory Social Measures and Placements prior to 1981
(CSMPA, SR 211.223.13)
Last modification 23.10.2024
Contact
Federal Office of Justice
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