To remind what are the values of freedom and liberty: Federal Constitution of the Swiss Confederation Constitution fédérale de la Confédération suisse Constituziun federala da la Confederaziun svizra Costituzione federale della Confederazione Svizzera Bundesverfassung der Schweizerischen Eidgenossenschaft *************** In the name of Almighty God! The Swiss People and the Cantons, mindful of their responsibility towards creation, resolved to renew their alliance so as to strengthen liberty, democracy, independence and peace in a spirit of solidarity and openness towards the world, determined to live together with mutual consideration and respect for their diversity, conscious of their common achievements and their responsibility towards future generations, and in the knowledge that only those who use their freedom remain free, and that the strength of a people is measured by the well-being of its weakest members; adopt the following Constitution: Art. 1 The Swiss Confederation The People and the Cantons of Zurich, Bern, Lucerne, Uri, Schwyz, Obwalden and Nidwalden, Glarus, Zug, Fribourg, Solothurn, Basel Stadt and Basel Landschaft, Schaffhausen, Appenzell Ausserrhoden and Appenzell Innerrhoden, St. Gallen, Graubünden, Aargau, Thurgau, Ticino, Vaud, Valais, Neuchâtel, Geneva, and Jura form the Swiss Confederation. Art. 2 Aims 1 The Swiss Confederation shall protect the liberty and rights of the people and safeguard the independence and security of the country. 2 It shall promote the common welfare, sustainable development, internal cohesion and cultural diversity of the country. 3 It shall ensure the greatest possible equality of opportunity among its citizens. 4 It is committed to the long term preservation of natural resources and to a just and peaceful international order. Art. 3 Cantons The Cantons are sovereign except to the extent that their sovereignty is limited by the Federal Constitution. They exercise all rights that are not vested in the Confederation. Art. 4 National languages The National Languages are German, French, Italian, and Romansh. Art. 5 Rule of law 1 All activities of the state are based on and limited by law. 2 State activities must be conducted in the public interest and be proportionate to the ends sought. 3 State institutions and private persons shall act in good faith. 4 The Confederation and the Cantons shall respect international law. Art. 5a1Subsidiarity The principle of subsidiarity must be observed in the allocation and performance of state tasks. Art. 6 Individual and collective responsibility All individuals shall take responsibility for themselves and shall, according to their abilities, contribute to achieving the tasks of the state and society. Fundamental Rights, Citizenship and Social Goals Chapter 1: Fundamental Rights Art. 7 Human dignity Human dignity must be respected and protected. Art. 8 Equality before the law 1 Every person is equal before the law. 2 No person may be discriminated against, in particular on grounds of origin, race, gender, age, language, social position, way of life, religious, ideological, or political convictions, or because of a physical, mental or psychological disability. 3 Men and women have equal rights. The law shall ensure their equality, both in law and in practice, most particularly in the family, in education, and in the workplace. Men and women have the right to equal pay for work of equal value. 4 The law shall provide for the elimination of inequalities that affect persons with disabilities. Art. 9 Protection against arbitrary conduct and principle of good faith Every person has the right to be treated by state authorities in good faith and in a non-arbitrary manner. Art. 10 Right to life and to personal freedom 1 Every person has the right to life. The death penalty is prohibited. 2 Every person has the right to personal liberty and in particular to physical and mental integrity and to freedom of movement. 3 Torture and any other form of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment are prohibited. Art. 11 Protection of children and young people 1 Children and young people have the right to the special protection of their integrity and to the encouragement of their development. 2 They may personally exercise their rights to the extent that their power of judgement allows. Art. 12 Right to assistance when in need Persons in need and unable to provide for themselves have the right to assistance and care, and to the financial means required for a decent standard of living. Art. 13 Right to privacy 1 Every person has the right to privacy in their private and family life and in their home, and in relation to their mail and telecommunications. 2 Every person has the right to be protected against the misuse of their personal data. Art. 14 Right to marry and to have a family The right to marry and to have a family is guaranteed. Art. 15 Freedom of religion and conscience 1 Freedom of religion and conscience is guaranteed. 2 Every person has the right to choose freely their religion or their philosophical convictions, and to profess them alone or in community with others. 3 Every person has the right to join or to belong to a religious community, and to follow religious teachings. 4 No person may be forced to join or belong to a religious community, to participate in a religious act, or to follow religious teachings. Art. 16 Freedom of expression and of information 1 Freedom of expression and of information is guaranteed. 2 Every person has the right freely to form, express, and impart their opinions. 3 Every person has the right freely to receive information to gather it from generally accessible sources and to disseminate it. Art. 17 Freedom of the media 1 Freedom of the press, radio and television and of other forms of dissemination of features and information by means of public telecommunications is guaranteed. 2 Censorship is prohibited. 3 The protection of sources is guaranteed. Art. 18 Freedom to use any language The freedom to use any language is guaranteed. Art. 19 Right to basic education The right to an adequate and free basic education is guaranteed Art. 20 Academic freedom Freedom of research and teaching is guaranteed. Art. 21 Freedom of artistic expression Freedom of artistic expression is guaranteed. Art. 22 Freedom of assembly 1 Freedom of assembly is guaranteed. 2 Every person has the right to organise meetings and to participate or not to participate in meetings. Art. 23 Freedom of association 1 Freedom of association is guaranteed. 2 Every person has the right to form, join or belong to an association and to participate in the activities of an association. 3 No person may be compelled to join or to belong to an association. Art. 24 Freedom of domicile 1 Swiss citizens have the right to establish their domicile anywhere in the country. 2 They have the right to leave or to enter Switzerland. admin.ch/…/classified-compil…/19995395/index.html
Posted on: Sat, 29 Nov 2014 03:51:18 +0000
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