Federal Council adopts report examining situation of Tibetan and Uyghur diasporas in Switzerland

The Swiss Federal Council adopted a report examining the situation of Tibetan and Uyghur communities in Switzerland, concluding that they are likely subject to transnational repression. Members of these diasporas may face pressure from actors linked to the People’s Republic of China, restricting their exercise of fundamental rights. Politically active Tibetans and Uyghurs in Switzerland are reportedly monitored, photographed, and filmed, with indications of cyberattacks and communication surveillance. Such repression may also target Swiss citizens supporting these communities. Similar challenges affect other Western countries, which have adopted various measures to counteract these pressures. Recommendations from the report include strengthening prevention, coordination, and awareness among federal, cantonal, and municipal authorities. The report was prepared following a postulate from the Foreign Policy Commission of the National Council and involved an interdepartmental working group. The University of Basel conducted a study on pressures experienced by the Tibetan and Uyghur communities, while the Swiss Institute of Comparative Law examined measures implemented by other Western countries.