Topics: Human rights, international law, asylum law, international organizations, police violence, career tips, human rights expert, Amnesty International Switzerland.
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Good morning, Ms. Giraudel. Since 2019, you have been working as a Legal Advisor and Researcher at Amnesty International Switzerland. Could you give us an insight into the legal topics and tasks you focus on?

I mainly work on human rights issues in the areas of asylum and migration, policing, freedom of expression and assembly, and the protection of human rights in the context of counter-terrorism in Switzerland. A key part of my role involves conducting legal analysis and research in international law. This includes interviews with affected individuals, information requests to authorities, and consultations with experts. These findings lead to reports on human rights violations in Switzerland, which form the basis for our campaigns, advocacy, and public statements.

I also support individual cases as part of international strategic litigation, such as third-party interventions before the European Court of Human Rights or UN human rights bodies. In addition, I assist people affected by human rights violations by providing legal expertise and connecting them with human rights lawyers.

Another important part of my work is engaging in political dialogue, whether with the State Secretariat for Migration, police leadership, or members of parliament. What I especially value is the link between the international and the local level. I work closely with colleagues around the world while staying connected to affected individuals and activists in Switzerland.

What does your typical workday look like, and how does it differ from your experience in traditional law firms?

No two days are the same, which makes my work dynamic and exciting. A typical day might involve working on a legal opinion for a legislative reform, having a call with colleagues in London to discuss a third-party intervention before the European Court of Human Rights, speaking with a journalist for an interview, attending a meeting with authorities, or having a confidential conversation with someone affected by a human rights violation. In the evening, I might lead a workshop on the right to protest or join a panel discussion with experts.

While law firms often concentrate on the interests of individual clients, our aim is to push for structural reforms and strengthen human rights protections at the societal level. - Alicia Giraudel

Compared to working in most traditional law firms, my environment at Amnesty is significantly more interdisciplinary, and my work is more focused on driving systemic change. While law firms often concentrate on the interests of individual clients, our aim is to push for structural reforms and strengthen human rights protections at the societal level. I find the diversity of tasks enriching — from legal analysis and advocacy to public engagement and international collaboration. Working closely with colleagues in communications, campaigning, and activism allows me to apply my legal expertise in a variety of ways.

Your career path includes a remarkable range of experiences, from international organisations to the Swiss judiciary. How have these shaped your expertise in human rights?

These experiences have given me a holistic perspective on human rights, from diplomacy and politics to judicial practice and direct engagement with affected individuals. I knew early on that this was the direction I wanted to pursue. Starting in my first year of studies in Geneva, I began gaining hands-on experience in human rights. During my first semester break, I worked with Peace Watch Switzerland as a human rights observer in Chiapas, Mexico. I lived for several weeks in a community of Las Abejas and witnessed how communities, despite decades of marginalisation and violence, continue to fight for their rights. That experience not only exposed me to their vulnerability but also to the incredible resilience of grassroots movements.

As an intern at the Swiss Embassy in Damascus, I was able to witness serious human rights violations firsthand. I observed trials of political prisoners and wrote a report on the situation of women’s rights. Facing an authoritarian regime that, at the time, still presented itself as progressive and protective of minorities, I learned how such governments respond to human rights allegations and the tactics they use to block reform and progress. It made clear to me how vital democracy and the rule of law are for the realisation of human rights.

During my internship at the UN Human Rights Council, I gained insight into the political dynamics behind resolutions and debates. I saw how state interests often shape human rights discussions and how NGOs play a crucial role in putting pressing issues on the agenda.

At the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD), I learned how UN treaty bodies operate. I realised that reviewing state reports serves as a vital self-assessment tool and that the conclusions of UN treaty bodies rely heavily on the documentation produced by civil society organisations. This experience highlighted the importance of independent reporting and advocacy for the effectiveness of international human rights protections.

State institutions do not sufficiently fulfill their duty to protect: participation processes are incomplete, independent oversight mechanisms are lacking, and economic interests dominate political decisions. - Alicia Giraudel

In Ecuador, during my time with the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, I experienced how the United Nations engages with human rights in practice. Advising local stakeholders, including NGOs, state institutions and affected communities, showed me that protecting human rights is not only a legal matter but often intertwined with social, economic and cultural challenges. In the extractive sector especially, the rights of local populations frequently clash with the interests of multinational companies. Although the right to free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) exists, its implementation often fails — not just due to corporate misconduct but also because state institutions fail to meet their responsibilities. State institutions do not sufficiently fulfill their duty to protect: participation processes are incomplete, independent oversight mechanisms are lacking, and economic interests dominate political decisions.

At the Directorate of International Law within the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, I approached human rights from a diplomatic angle and took part in negotiations on UN resolutions and the Global Compacts on Refugees and Migration. This experience made me realise the extent to which Switzerland’s foreign policy ambitions can differ from how human rights obligations are implemented domestically. Internationally, Switzerland presents itself as a strong advocate for human rights and plays an active role in multilateral forums. However, at the national level, the picture can be very different. Federalism presents a major challenge: since many responsibilities lie with cantons and municipalities, implementation is fragmented and often depends on local political majorities. As a result, even internationally binding standards are sometimes applied slowly or inconsistently.

During my work at the Swiss Federal Administrative Court, I observed how human rights are upheld by the judiciary — or at times, how they are not. Working on asylum cases revealed that international legal obligations are sometimes examined only superficially. I found it concerning, from a rule-of-law perspective, that even judges at the highest level are affiliated with political parties and are required to make financial contributions to them. This practice, known as mandate fees, has already been criticised by various international bodies. 

Which projects or campaigns at Amnesty International have left a lasting impression on you, and how do you contribute to promoting human rights?

One campaign that stands out for me is the opposition to the Swiss Anti-Terrorism Measures Act (PMT). It marked a turning point, showing how quickly core legal principles like the presumption of innocence, the right to a fair trial and the protection of privacy can be eroded in the name of security. Alongside other organisations and experts, I worked to raise public awareness about the dangers of this legislation. We highlighted how vaguely defined terms such as “potential terrorist threat,” which do not require a criminal offence or even the use or threat of violence, create a risk of misuse. People who express critical opinions in heated debates or belong to already marginalised groups are especially vulnerable to unjustified coercive measures.

Through this campaign, I learned how essential education, dialogue and visible public engagement are. I gave talks, created website content, supported the referendum campaign and worked to make legal concepts easier to understand. Even though the law was ultimately passed, the public debate it sparked was a success for democratic participation. It encouraged many people to reflect on the value of our fundamental rights. That’s exactly what drives me in my human rights work: creating spaces where people can get informed, exchange ideas and take a stance. I see myself as a bridge between legal expertise, politics and the public, with the aim of strengthening a long-term culture of human rights.

What affected me most were the conversations with refugees who had already endured traumatic experiences and arrived in Switzerland only to find themselves in a system that failed to protect them and in some cases even exposed them to further risk. - Alicia Giraudel

Another project that left a lasting impression on me was my research into incidents of violence in federal asylum centres in Switzerland. In this context, I examined reports of mistreatment, inappropriate security practices and the lack of independent oversight mechanisms. What affected me most were the conversations with refugees who had already endured traumatic experiences and arrived in Switzerland only to find themselves in a system that failed to protect them and in some cases even exposed them to further risk. During my research, I spoke with affected individuals, whistleblowers and government representatives, analysed documents and tried to understand the structures that enable such incidents of violence or fail to prevent them effectively. My findings helped bring these issues to light through media reports, parliamentary initiatives and civil society engagement.

I want to give visibility to people and their stories, especially those who are often not heard. This work was not only emotionally challenging but also made it clear to me how important it is to demand compliance with human rights standards within our own borders. Human rights are often discussed in the context of other countries, yet the protection of human dignity begins right here. Even in Switzerland, there can be cases of mistreatment by security personnel acting on behalf of the state. For me, working for human rights means not only challenging severe violations abroad but also closely examining what is happening in our own society.

You have worked as a Human Rights Officer both for the UN in Ecuador and at its headquarters in Geneva. What differences do you observe when it comes to the implementation and recognition of human rights in these different contexts?

At the headquarters of the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Geneva, the focus is on high-level diplomatic engagement. This includes drafting resolutions for the Human Rights Council, formulating recommendations through the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), and coordinating the work of treaty bodies composed of independent experts. It is a world of formal debate, strategic reports and political compromise. Human rights violations are often discussed in abstract terms, far removed from the everyday reality of those affected.

In fieldwork, the gap between international standards and practical implementation becomes tangible. It becomes evident how difficult it is to translate human rights obligations into national legislation and, more importantly, into daily life. Structural poverty, corruption, repression of minorities, environmental conflicts and police violence become central issues. At the same time, cooperation with local organisations, communities and authorities is key to making concrete improvements. This includes human rights education, support for at-risk groups or direct interventions in urgent cases. The work done in Geneva is essential for setting legal and political frameworks, but field experience shows that human rights are not upheld through reports or resolutions alone. They are defended through the courage and perseverance of those affected, of activists and local organisations that claim these rights every day.

What legal and practical challenges do you face in your global work for human rights?

The greatest challenge at the moment is the increasing questioning of the international human rights framework. Around the world, there is a growing trend to undermine the authority of institutions like the European Court of Human Rights or the UN human rights committees. Nationalist and authoritarian movements challenge the universality of human rights and portray international obligations as interference with national sovereignty. This is extremely dangerous. These institutions were created to protect individuals from state abuse, especially when national protection mechanisms fail.

The European Convention on Human Rights is a direct result of the lessons learned from the Second World War. It was designed to prevent such atrocities from ever happening again in Europe. Questioning the ECHR and its fundamental principles means attacking the foundations of the modern rule of law.

Undermining the validity and enforceability of human rights threatens nothing less than the very substance of our liberal democratic order.

What advice would you give to others who aspire to an international career in human rights work?

I would definitely recommend pursuing this path. The world urgently needs more lawyers with solid human rights training who are willing to apply this knowledge in various contexts such as administration, courts, civil society, international organizations, or the private sector. Human rights are not a niche topic. They concern central issues of social coexistence and the rule of law in migration and asylum matters as well as in police law, criminal justice, healthcare, or access to education. Anyone choosing a career in this field should be prepared to work in complex political and legal environments. It requires analytical thinking, perseverance, and often frustration tolerance because progress rarely happens overnight. At the same time, it is deeply meaningful work that offers the opportunity to help shape structural change and support people concretely.

Therefore, my advice is the following:

• Follow your heart – Commitment to human rights depends on staying true to your values. Starting out in practice can be challenging especially if you did not explicitly specialize in human rights or international law during your studies. Rejections and difficult phases are part of the journey and they are not a sign of lacking suitability.
   
• Gain practical experience – Volunteering, internships, and academic work are often crucial to gaining a foothold in this field.
   
• Build networks – Contacts with human rights organizations, activists, and professionals are valuable. Conferences, online forums, and NGO memberships offer good opportunities to connect.
   
• Think interdisciplinarily – Human rights intersect with law, political science, economics, journalism, sociology, and many other fields. A broad perspective helps.
   
• Keep learning – A lot happens in the human rights field. Whether through an LL.M., workshops, or self-study, staying up to date strengthens not only your own expertise but also the impact of your work.

Thank you very much for the fascinating insights into your remarkable career and the work of Amnesty International. We wish you continued success and all the best for the future.

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