Is it true that Switzerland is a member of the United Nations?
By unanimous decision, Switzerland became the 190th United Nations Member State at the opening of the fifty-seventh session of the General Assembly in September 2002.
Kaspar Villiger, President of the Swiss Confederation, said the decision of the Swiss people to take on United Nations membership reflected the country's system of direct democracy. The Swiss people had reconciled their fears related to the possibility of prejudicing their valued principle of neutrality, as well as their concerns over the right of veto held by Permanent Members of the Security Council.
More Info:
en.wikipedia.org
What are your thoughts on this subject?
41 Comments
Tom Young
In the past Switzerland has always been neutral...
anthonygriffin
Actually, the country of Switzerland, was totally against being part of the United Nations, during it's inception in 1945. The country of Switzerland, decided to join the United Nations, further in time back in 2002.
GONavarini
Tom Young, still is.
Player
After I studied it at college 😂
Cujo
Why would being in UN affect being neutral? Discussions usually about policy not Country Shaming. It's a thing.
It's brand new. Country Shaming - if you see it - speak out.
Kariuki
I also do like the idea of permanent security council members.
I think everyone member country should be given a chance to be in security council at some point.
Yes even Iraq, Iran,north korea and Uganda
tinaloflin
I think the UN is a vital organization. We must work together, and the United Nations, at least, encourages the world to work together.
Chrissie
I don't understand why so many commenters think that CH has to give up its neutrality, as a member of the UN. Are people thinking of NATO?
Chrissie
bvspurrell, Switzerland, not Sweden.
Donna Smith
Missed it...
bvspurrell
anthonygriffin, I served a UN Peacekeeping mission in 1976. Swedish Troops have been serving in the Middle East since the first Battalion set up UN operations in Gaza in 1956. As mentioned they were in the UN buffer zone in the Sinai Desert called Swede Bat in 1976 when I deployed. So perhaps they were not a full UN member but their military has provided troops for UN missions for sometime.
deborahpmercer
Fell into the trap!
earlepg
I wouldn't think that being neutral should bar them from participating with the world.
silrem
Amazing, more than half said no. How foolish to go against conventional wisdom.
silrem
Alix Long, for which they have long been paid.
silrem
Switzerland turned its back on bank privacy, individual privacy and joined the international consortium of corrupt financial institutions. Thus it was natural they would join a corrupt instution that does occasional random good acts but shows little enduring integrity.
Yevette Allen
Missed it. I thought they were neutral.