A new article by whistleblower law firm Kohn, Kohn & Colapinto (KKC) is shedding light on Switzerland’s troubling record in enforcing foreign bribery laws, following the release of a scathing new report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
Known for its typically restrained language, the OECD’s Phase 4 evaluation offered unusually blunt criticism, stating that Switzerland has an “inadequate system of sanctions for serious failures to comply” with international anti-bribery standards. The report accuses Swiss authorities of failing to investigate and prosecute foreign bribery cases effectively, raising concerns about the country’s overall compliance with the OECD Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials.
According to the OECD, systemic shortcomings are undermining Switzerland’s ability to detect and deter foreign bribery. The report also highlighted a lack of protection for whistleblowers and journalists, describing a “climate of intimidation” in which individuals who come forward risk criminal prosecution or retaliation.
KKC, a Washington, D.C.-based law firm that specializes in whistleblower advocacy, responded to the OECD’s findings by calling for urgent reform. In its article, the firm urges Swiss authorities to adopt the OECD’s recommendations, including reducing investigation delays, establishing clear guidelines for self-reporting, and imposing stricter penalties for offenders.
The firm also highlighted the public’s limited awareness of the issue, emphasizing that many Swiss citizens may not be aware of the extent of their country’s shortcomings in combating corruption abroad.
“This isn’t just a legal oversight — it’s a missed financial opportunity,” KKC argues. The firm notes that Swiss companies have paid substantial penalties to U.S. regulators under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), including major players such as Credit Suisse. These are fines that could have potentially benefited Switzerland had its enforcement mechanisms been stronger.
Despite Switzerland’s reputation for integrity and financial transparency, the OECD’s report paints a starkly different picture. KKC seeks to spark a long-overdue national conversation on corruption, accountability, and the role of whistleblowers in safeguarding democratic institutions.
As international scrutiny mounts, the pressure is on Switzerland to demonstrate that it can meet the global standard it helped to create.
