Often seen as a haven for people fleeing war and persecution, Switzerland has been defined by its neutrality since an officially recognized policy in 1815. However, while the nation has provided refuge to many, staying neutral amid worldwide conflict can be even harder than it sounds. During World War II, Switzerland’s neutrality was repeatedly put to the test. The country avoided direct involvement at all costs, but the proximity of battling nations led to a plethora of difficult decisions. As Nazi Germany began taking over the continent, hundreds of millions of people were fleeing their homes, crossing the border into Switzerland in hopes of safety.
Switzerland did offer shelter to those fleeing persecution, but the numbers were limited. In fact, the country turned down thousands of Jewish people fleeing the Holocaust, in part because of their fear that assisting too many would instigate Nazi retaliation. Many Swiss citizens were aware of those being rejected asylum, and some were put in an incredibly difficult position between maintaining neutral policy and showing compassion.
Rebellious Charity
In 1938, a Jewish child approached the border of Switzerland from Austria, which recently had been annexed by Germany. As she approached sanctuary, the only thing that stood between her and deliverance was the law; Switzerland required visas for any Austrian to enter the country.
The child was lucky enough to come across Swiss commander Paul Grüninger, who determined charity was more important than policy. In the documentary film The Grüninger Case, this child recalls Grüninger’s greeting words: “Chin up, lass! You’re in Switzerland now. You’re free.”
Grüninger used his position to actively allow refugees to enter the country by accepting forged visas and procuring papers for them to enter the country. It is estimated that he saved around three thousand refugees in his efforts.
He eventually received a hefty fine and dismissal—but he never regretted his actions. The House of Switzerland provides a deeper look into Grüninger’s perspective: “It was a matter of saving people whose lives were under threat. In such circumstances, how could I have concerned myself with mere bureaucracy and numbers?”
Many people in Switzerland shared Grüninger’s views—and many did not. In the country’s efforts to stay neutral, there was a constant battle between moral duty and legal compliance. Switzerland has since learned from its past decisions and now continues to actively ensure the working congruence of both moral duty and neutrality.
The Cold War
During the Cold War, the United Nations and Switzerland worked on creating a policy to try to prevent the many tragedies seen throughout World War II. One way to do so was through the United Nations Refugee Convention in Geneva on July 28, 1951, where they defined refugee and laid out each country’s humanitarian obligations. This was a legal act that would be critical to the lives of hundreds of thousands of refugees in the coming months.
The Hungarian Uprising
Just three months later in October of 1956, Hungarian students started a revolt against Soviet control in Budapest. Tens of thousands of people flooded the streets, demanding the Soviets leave their land once and for all. For a few days, it seemed the Hungarians had the upper hand. But as the Soviet tanks stormed in, the citizens’ pleas for deliverance soon turned to violent street battles between the parties.
The Soviets quickly crushed any hope of Hungarian liberation. Thousands of people were imprisoned, and hundreds were executed. Anyone who was lucky enough to escape the Soviets’ grasp fled throughout western Europe in hopes of asylum.
This was the first major refugee movement following the Geneva Convention—and frankly, people were still uncertain if the Hungarians technically qualified as refugees under the written policy, because it was originally created to aid refugees from the aftermath of WWII.
The United Nations Refugee Agency—those who signed the Geneva Convention—opened their borders regardless of the confusion, essentially making an international statement on their stance toward refugee acceptance. The result? Hundreds of thousands of Hungarians finding refuge and starting new lives, including tens of thousands of people who made their way into Switzerland.
Asylum from Syria
As war broke loose in Syria in the 2010s, another wave of refugees was forced to leave their homes in search of safety. Nidal Battman, one of the many people who fled the country, tells of his story in an article written by Pauline Haupt and posted on the Global Compact for Refugees website.
Nidal was originally set on staying in Syria to maintain as much of his normal life as possible by going to school as usual. But as the violence progressed, unfair civilian treatment followed—and at the height of his family’s increasing concern, their father was arrested without reason.
The life Nidal hoped to hold on to suddenly shattered, with new responsibility falling on his shoulders to earn money and to find his father. And once Nidal finally discovered his father’s location, he was commanded to pay a substantial fee for his father’s bail.
The family paid the price to get Nidal’s father back, and then they quickly fled toward Turkey. They made a stop in Lebanon to briefly live with their uncle, but while there, Nidal’s father came down with an illness that forced them to seek medical assistance before continuing their journey.
The doctor’s news opened a new path for the family. Haupt’s article quotes Nidal: “In order to treat my father, the doctor said he needed a paper from UNHCR [The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees]. Soon we were being interviewed to go and live in Europe. After many rounds of interviews, we couldn’t believe it: We were finally being resettled to Switzerland.”
Nidal proceeded to attend college in Switzerland and study micro and medical technology. His integration into Swiss culture wasn’t an easy feat, but he remains grateful for the country’s welcoming hand. He has since sought to help others who have faced similar life-changing experiences, largely by participating in a group that orients any new incoming refugees entering Switzerland’s neutral territory.
Ukrainian Support
Today, Switzerland continues to fight for neutrality while simultaneously offering as much sanctuary as they feel possible. This, as always, can vary based on political stance and demand. For example, according to swissinfo.ch, the influx of people fleeing Ukraine in recent events has led to a notable increase in rejection rate largely because of the complicated parameters of their entering Switzerland from different countries.
As the situation grows more complex, Switzerland continues to accept as many people as their policies and leaders proclaim feasible. Once accepted, refugees are encouraged to use the integration and reparation systems Switzerland created to help the Ukrainian people feel invited and inspired in their new home.
A Foundation for Humanitarianism
Switzerland has continuously prioritized their neutral position—one where they can theoretically offer help to anyone in need, regardless of background. Their beliefs are best represented by the signing of the Geneva Convention, and although the complexities of staying neutral while providing aid still remain, there is no doubt that the country continues to help a significant number of people.
In the aftermath of global conflicts, Switzerland dances between the line of moral duty and legal action to find its perfect balance and niche role in all of Europe: opposing a political stance while prioritizing humanitarian aid.