FDJP
The head of the FDJP is Karin Keller-Sutter. She has been a member of the Federal Council since 2019.
Boosting labour potential in Switzerland
The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM), which is part of the FDJP sets out the criteria for entering Switzerland and living and working here. It also decides who can obtain asylum from persecution in this country. The admission of foreign workers is regulated to a large extent by the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons with the European Union, which ensures that Swiss companies can easily recruit from EU member states the workers they urgently require, with a minimum of red tape. At the same time, it is the EJPD’s job to ensure that immigration to Switzerland is no higher than required. It therefore boosts the labour potential already available in Switzerland, for example by promoting measures to help refugees and temporarily admitted persons find work.
New legal instruments for Switzerland's security
Ensuring security
The FDJP is responsible for ensuring that the security services in Switzerland have all the legal instruments necessary to protect the civilian population. It is currently working on a new law under which potential terrorists may be put under house arrest. It is also drawing up changes to an existing law that will allow the prosecution services and police to use new DNA analysis methods in their investigations. Using these methods, external characteristics such as hair colour, eye colour and skin colour can also be established. This helps investigations, as the number of possible suspects can be narrowed down and the innocent can be excluded more rapidly.
Modern services
More and more business processes are being carried out digitally. For several years now, the FDJP has offered online services such as obtaining an excerpt from the criminal records or ordering a passport. Its e-DEBA project has revolutionised the debt collection and bankruptcy system. The Federal Act on Electronic Identification Services (E-ID Act) also heralds a major new step. The new law will establish clear rules on providing identification online and so ensure that people using the internet can do so even more easily and enjoy even greater security.
Federal Department of Justice and PoliceFDJP
The FDJP’s remit covers a wide range of matters. It deals with socio-political issues such as the coexistence of Swiss and foreign nationals, asylum issues or the fight against crime. Its other areas of responsibility include civil status matters and gambling supervision.
Expenses 2018 |
2.88 billion |
Staff (full-time positions) 2018 |
2529 |
General Secretariat GS-FDJP
The General Secretariat supports and advises the head of department in her daily work, ensures that the different sections of the department cooperate smoothly and manages human resources and finances. It also includes the IT Service Centre (ISC-FDJP), which develops and maintains IT applications for justice, police and migration authorities in Switzerland.
Post and Telecommunications Surveillance Service PTSS
The PTSS monitors postal and telecommunications services on the instructions of the law enforcement authorities or of the intelligence service and with authorisation from the courts. It also ensures that surveillance measures are applied in conformity with the law
State Secretariat for Migration SEM
SEM decides on the conditions under which a person can enter Switzerland and live and work in the country. It also decides who is granted protection from persecution. Working with the cantons, it organises accommodation for asylum seekers and the repatriation of those who do not need Switzerland’s protection. SEM also coordinates integration efforts and is responsible for naturalisation at federal level. It is involved in international efforts to control migration flows.
Federal Office of Justice FOJ
The FOJ drafts legislation on civil, criminal, constitutional and administrative matters. It also advises the Federal Administration on all legislative matters and is responsible for oversight in several areas. The FOJ manages the register of criminal convictions and works with foreign authorities in mutual assistance matters. At international level, it represents Switzerland in the Strasbourg human rights bodies and several other organisations. The FOJ also decides on the compensation paid to victims of compulsory social measures and placements.
Federal Office of Police fedpol
fedpol directs Switzerland’s national and international police cooperation activities and conducts federal investigations into serious crimes. It protects individuals and buildings for which the Confederation is responsible and runs national information systems and centres of expertise. Keys areas of activity include the fighting terrorism, combating organised crime and exposing money laundering. In its role as the federal police force, the office cooperates closely with its partners in Switzerland, Europe and beyond.
Federal Institute of Intellectual Property IIP
The IIP is the national competence centre for all questions regarding trademarks, patents, and indications of source, design protection or copyright. The IIP drafts legislation and represents Switzerland in this field in international organisations and in dealings with other countries. Individuals and companies can protect their inventions and creations against counterfeiting by registering them with the IIP.
Federal Institute of Metrology METAS
The services offered by METAS ensure that measuring and testing can be performed in Switzerland to the degree of accuracy required by industry, research and administration. METAS also ensures that measurements taken to safeguard the public and the environment are correct and comply with the law.
Swiss Institute of Comparative Law SICL
The SICL is an autonomous federal agency. Its main task is to provide objective information and opinions on foreign and international law to the courts and administrative bodies, and to not-for-profit and international organisations. The Institute also carries out comparative law research on selected current topics, including international law.
Federal Audit Oversight Authority FAOA
The FAOA is an autonomous federal authority responsible for issuing licences to individuals and companies for the provision of statutory auditing services, and for supervising auditors that provide auditing services in the public sector. The FAOA’s activities contribute to the reliability of financial reporting.
Federal Gaming Board FGB
The FGB handles licence applications for gambling institutions (physical and online) in Switzerland. It ensures that gambling laws are respected, in particular as regards safety and transparency, and also that anti-money laundering laws are adhered to. The FGB also ensures that casinos implement the gambling safety and social code, investigates illegal gambling activities in Switzerland and levies the gaming tax.
Federal Commission on Migration FCM
The FCM is an extra-parliamentary commission. It advises the Federal Council and the Federal Administration on migration issues, promotes social cohesion by supporting projects and publishes studies and recommendations on migration policy.
Federal Arbitration Commission for the Exploitation of Copyrights and Related Rights
Creators of musical, literary and audiovisual works are paid royalties at specific rates when their works are transmitted, publicly performed or published. The Arbitration Commission checks and approves these rates.
National Commission for the Prevention of Torture NCPT
In terms of its statutory mandate, the NCPT checks compliance with the basic standards of human rights and regularly visits all prisons and detention centres in Switzerland to ensure that there are no cases of torture or inhuman or degrading treatment.