If the “Pas de Suisse à 10 millions!” initiative is accepted, Switzerland could be forced to denounce the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CDE) once the national population exceeds 9.5 million. Philip D. Jaffé, Vice-President of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, and Lisa Mazzone, President of Alliance Enfance, state that this could make fundamental children’s rights subject to demographic and political negotiations.
Why does the “Pas de Suisse à 10 millions!” initiative pose a risk to children?
The initiative mandates that the Confederation take binding measures once the population surpasses the 9.5 million mark. According to Jaffé and Mazzone, these measures could include the denunciation of international agreements, specifically the CDE.
If the CDE is denounced, the authors suggest Switzerland could join the United States as a country where children’s rights are no longer guaranteed. They argue that linking human rights to demographic goals creates a dangerous precedent where rights are treated as negotiable rather than absolute.
Switzerland has been a party to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child since its ratification in 1997.
What are the potential consequences of denouncing the CDE?
The CDE currently serves as a mandatory framework for Swiss administration, schools, and courts. It requires authorities to prioritize the “best interests of the child” in all state decisions. Denouncing the treaty could remove this legal requirement.
According to the experts, a loss of this framework could lead to several specific outcomes: restrictions on family reunification, the separation of children from their parents, and increased precariousness for vulnerable minors. The treaty also currently provides protections regarding identity, education, and digital safety.
The core tension presented here is the potential shift from a rights-based legal system to a statistical-based policy system. If demographic thresholds trigger the removal of international protections, the “best interests of the child” may no longer hold legal precedence over national population management.
How does this initiative relate to Switzerland’s history?
Jaffé and Mazzone link the potential consequences of the initiative to “dark chapters” of Swiss history. They reference past instances where restrictive policies harmed the most vulnerable children.
These historical examples include five-year-old children removed from families due to poverty and forced into farm labor, as well as “children of the cupboard”—children of seasonal Italian workers who were kept confined at home without access to education. The experts argue that current proposals could lead to a repeat of these historical errors.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happens if the population reaches 9.5 million under this initiative?
The Confederation would be required to take binding measures, which could include denouncing international agreements like the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. - What protections does the CDE currently provide?
The CDE reinforces rights to family, education, identity, digital protection, and protection against discrimination, while requiring the state to prioritize the best interests of the child. - Who is expressing concern about this initiative?
Philip D. Jaffé of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child and Lisa Mazzone of Alliance Enfance have voiced concerns on behalf of child and youth organizations.
Should human rights be subject to national population limits?
