Administrative detention in Switzerland
| Period | Mid-19th century – 1981 |
|---|---|
| Legal basis | Cantonal administrative law, Federal guardianship law (from 1912) |
| Estimated victims | At least 60,000 people (20th century) |
| Abolished | 1981 (replaced by deprivation of liberty for assistance purposes) |
| Rehabilitation law | 2014 |
Administrative detention in Switzerland was a practice involving the deprivation of liberty in institutions, ordered by cantonal administrative authorities, typically for indefinite periods. From the mid-19th century, it was used as a sanctioning mechanism by assistance, guardianship, and alcoholism prevention services with the aim of improving and disciplining individuals through social control.
The practice was based on cantonal administrative law and, from 1912, on federal guardianship law. It required neither criminal offense nor judicial procedure, with deprivation of personal liberty justified by individuals' lifestyle and perceived threats to public order. The legally problematic nature and arbitrary execution of these measures faced repeated criticism throughout their existence. In 1981, deprivation of liberty for assistance purposes replaced the former detention laws. In 2014, Parliament rehabilitated former detainees and launched a process of reparation and historical analysis.