SwitzerlandDroits, devoirs et État de droit 9 · Rights, duties and the rule of law
Switzerland is a state governed by the rule of law (État de droit). What does that mean?
In the exam (French)
La Suisse est un État de droit. Qu'est-ce que cela signifie ?
- aThe state and its authorities must also respect the law.L'État et ses autorités doivent eux aussi respecter le droit.Correct answer
- bThe police decide for themselves which laws apply.La police décide elle-même quelles lois s'appliquent.
- cThe government can overturn a court judgment whenever it wants.Le gouvernement peut annuler un jugement quand il le veut.
- dOnly citizens have to obey the laws.Seuls les citoyens et citoyennes doivent obéir aux lois.
Why?
According to the Federal Constitution, the law is the basis and the limit of state activity. The authorities may act only within the law, and their decisions can be reviewed by courts.
Translated with AI. In the exam the question is in French, as shown above.
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Take a free mock examDroits, devoirs et État de droit 10
In Switzerland, what are judges bound by when they give a judgment?Correct answer:Only the Constitution and the laws
À quoi les juges sont-ils soumis en Suisse lorsqu'ils rendent un jugement ? — Uniquement à la Constitution et aux lois
Droits, devoirs et État de droit 11
A person is accused of an offence. What applies as long as a court has not finally convicted them?Correct answer:They are presumed innocent.
Une personne est accusée d'une infraction. Qu'est-ce qui vaut tant qu'un tribunal ne l'a pas condamnée définitivement ? — Elle est présumée innocente.
Droits, devoirs et État de droit 12
The police arrest a person. What is this person entitled to?Correct answer:They must be told the reasons for their arrest and what their rights are.
La police arrête une personne. À quoi cette personne a-t-elle droit ? — Elle doit être informée des raisons de son arrestation et de ses droits.
Droits, devoirs et État de droit 13
You receive a written decision from an authority and you disagree with it. What can you do?Correct answer:Lodge an objection or an appeal within the stated time limit
Vous recevez une décision écrite d'une autorité et vous n'êtes pas d'accord. Que pouvez-vous faire ? — Faire opposition ou recours dans le délai indiqué
Source
Our own practice questions, written in French on the facts of the Federal Constitution and official information from the Confederation and the cantons of Vaud and Geneva. They are not the questions of the cantonal tests, and no text from the official cantonal or communal lists is reused. Each question was written, answered blind and fact-checked in separate rounds. The English translation and the explanations are ours, made with AI help; in the test the questions are asked in French. We are not affiliated with the Confederation, the cantons or the communes.
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