Domestic violence against women is a cause for concern throughout Europe. With the Roadmap against domestic violence, Switzerland has made important progress in combating this widespread form of crime. Threat management has been strengthened, electronic monitoring expanded and the Victim Support number 142 introduced. A partial revision of the Victim Support Act is also currently under parliamentary consideration. The revision provides, for example, for a Switzerland-wide entitlement to specialised medical and forensic care as well as emergency accommodation.
The participants also exchanged views on the challenges and modernisation of civil justice, notably through digital development. Switzerland has thus recently regulated the use of video and telephone conferences in civil proceedings. When the Federal Act on Platforms for Electronic Communication in the Justice System (LPCJ) enters fully into force as planned in mid-2027, this will represent a quantum leap in procedural communication as a whole.
The ministers also exchanged views on the resilience of the rule of law. In this context, the ministers of justice adopted a joint declaration on the importance of safeguarding the rule of law and the independence of national and international courts for the effective protection of the population’s fundamental rights and freedoms. Resilience must be strengthened at all levels, and cooperation among the countries in the field of justice must also be improved. Switzerland will open negotiations with the EU on participation in the electronic interconnection of the criminal records databases of all EU Member States. The aim is to strengthen criminal justice throughout Europe.