Non-discrimination principle

The non-discrimination principle protects individuals and groups against unequal treatment based on characteristics such as origin, race, sex, age, language, religion, disability, social position, or similar grounds. Swiss constitutional law links it to equality before the law and to specific protections developed in legislation and practice. Not every distinction is discrimination; authorities may differentiate if the distinction rests on objective reasons and is proportionate. The principle also has comparative importance in European human rights law, employment, access to services, education, and migration-related contexts.