Brief Review

Terrorism

According to the 2006 Swiss Domestic Security Report, there is no imminent major terrorist threat to Switzerland, but the country has been found to be a haven for some Islamic radicals advocating terrorism to retreat to and plan further operations. There are a couple of reasons for the increase in terror risk. First, jihadists consider Switzerland to be closely allied with those who they believe have conspired against Islam; second, the country is home both to devout and militant Islamists. However, there has been no solid proof to date of preparatory activity leading to a terrorist attack in Switzerland.

According to the Swiss Confederation web site, “Switzerland is making various contributions to the joint efforts to combat terrorism. It is involved in the preparation of measures for international disaster capabilities in the event of a terrorist attack, the focus being on the efficient coordination of international assistance. There is also an emphasis on protective measures against nuclear, biological and chemical weapons of mass destruction. Switzerland has a good deal of know-how in this field. In addition, Switzerland regularly organises expert meetings in the fields of terrorist financing or the protection of critical infrastructure from terrorist attacks.”

Left-wing extremist related incidents increased in 2006 by 62 percent from the year before. Accountable for this substantial increase were unauthorized sympathy demonstrations in support of what were alleged to be political prisoners. These demonstrations were accompanied for the most part by damage to property. Adherents to the right-wing extremist movement in Switzerland were repeatedly reported for violence. There was no marked increase in the number of reported incidents, however.

The Federal Council has taken legislative steps to improve the nation's national security posture. It revised legislation enabling authorities to monitor terrorist suspects, spies and those involved with the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction via telephone tapping, mail screening, video cameras, and bugs.