Switzerland has a long-standing and unique relationship with international humanitarian law (IHL), which lies at the heart of its foreign policy. In today’s world of heightened geopolitical tensions, contested multilateralism, and the rise of assertive new diplomatic actors, IHL is more than a legal or moral compass for Switzerland. As a small neutral state, Switzerland’s influence depends on the rules-based system itself: promoting and upholding IHL is therefore critical, as it safeguards neutrality, sustains credibility, and keeps Switzerland relevant as a trusted platform for dialogue and peacebuilding.
A Tradition of Humanitarian Law
Switzerland has long maintained a close and active relationship with international humanitarian law (IHL). As the depositary state of the Geneva Conventions and the birthplace of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), it plays a central role in the development and promotion of humanitarian norms, an engagement that continues today, with the respect for and promotion of IHL remaining key pillars of its foreign policy.
Yet, in contrast to this tradition, today’s international affairs are now marked by growing tension and the erosion of common norms. Armed conflicts are intensifying, and violations of IHL are multiplying in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, and beyond. Multilateral institutions face growing divisions, while tensions are on the rise, both between States and within them.
Principle as Strategy
In this increasingly fragmented and competitive diplomatic world—marked by growing rivalries, contested multilateralism, and the rise of influential new diplomatic actors such as Qatar, Saudi Arabia, or Türkiye, Switzerland must actively maintain and renew its positioning as a trusted interlocutor. As a small state that relies on a stable, rules-based international order to protect its interests and exert influence, Switzerland has every reason to invest in the promotion and respect of IHL. In this context, upholding humanitarian law is not merely a legal and moral obligation, it is a strategic tool of diplomacy that helps preserve Swiss neutrality, reinforce its credibility, and enable its meaningful participation in peace and security efforts worldwide.
Switzerland’s Toolbox
In recent years, Switzerland has expressed a deepening commitment to IHL through a steady and strategic approach combining diplomacy, discretion and determination. It supports key accountability mechanisms such as the International Criminal Court and the International Humanitarian Fact-Finding Commission, provides funding to institutions like the ICRC and the Geneva Academy, and encourages dialogue on complex issues such as humanitarian access or the legal responsibilities of private military and security companies.
Switzerland has also taken steps to lead by example. It published two voluntary reports on the national implementation of IHL in 2020 and 2024, outlining how it integrates humanitarian law into domestic legislation and encouraging other States to do the same not only by reporting, but by sharing good practices and fostering peer exchange.
In order to shape how belligerents approach humanitarian norms, Switzerland’s initiatives matter precisely because of its constraints. As a small state without hard power, its influence depends on consistency and credibility. By continuing to champion humanitarian law, Switzerland helps ensure that the rules are not eroded but remain a constant reference point and a foundation for future accountability.
In multilateral settings, Switzerland co-chairs the workstream on Information and Communication Technologies within the Global Initiative to galvanize political commitment to IHL, an initiative launched by the ICRC and five states to make IHL a political priority, at the global, regional and domestic levels. Since its launch, 89 states have joined the Initiative, and more than 130 have taken part in consultations, showing that this effort has already gained broad international traction.
Switzerland’s 2023–2024 term on the UN Security Council provided a prominent stage to advance humanitarian concerns. Without taking sides, it secured the adoption of Resolution 2730 (2024) on the protection of humanitarian and UN personnel, backed by 98 co-sponsors. The resolution addressed the alarming rise in violence and disinformation targeting aid workers and reaffirmed Switzerland’s broader commitment to IHL. Throughout its mandate, Switzerland also pushed back against attempts to weaken IHL, underlining the need to protect its integrity in an increasingly contested legal environment.
What Sets Switzerland Apart
This consistent and cooperative strategy delivers results. In recent years, its commitment to IHL diplomacy has produced tangible outcomes, from supporting peace efforts in Mozambique to facilitating a high-stakes prisoner and asset exchange between Iran and the United States in 2023. Such achievements show that defending humanitarian principles is not only morally right, it also provides Switzerland with the tools to act where others cannot. Its neutrality, lack of hard power, and unwavering focus on IHL make it a trusted and uniquely acceptable interlocutor for actors who would reject mediation by larger powers.
Why Persistence Matters
This approach is essential, because without it, international affairs risk being governed by the law of the strongest, leaving little space for smaller states to shape outcomes. For Switzerland, promoting and upholding IHL is both a necessity and an opportunity: a necessity, because as a country without hard power it relies on a rules-based order to safeguard its security and influence; and an opportunity, because this strategy enables it to stand out in an increasingly crowded diplomatic field where new actors seek to expand their influence.
Continuing to invest in IHL is thus a smart way for Switzerland to preserve its credibility, protect its neutrality, and remain a trusted and relevant platform for dialogue and peace efforts. In today’s competitive landscape, this distinct positioning is not guaranteed, and it is precisely what allows Switzerland to continue to matter on the international stage.
