Police have to disclose nationality of offenders

Wednesday, 4 March 2026 06:30

Switzerland’s Senate has voted to require police to systematically mention the nationality of suspects when communicating about crimes.

The proposal passed by 23 votes to 16, following earlier approval in the House of Representatives.

It was put forward by Swiss People’s Party lawmaker Benjamin Fischer and backed by a majority from the Centre and Radical Liberal parties.

The measure would oblige police to disclose age, sex and nationality, unless privacy concerns apply.

The vote follows last year’s controversy over plans by federal police to drop references to skin colour from the national database.

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