Overview
Public Eye is a Swiss non-governmental organisation (NGO) established in 1968, originally called the Berne Declaration. Its purpose is to promote global justice by exposing human rights abuses and harmful business practices tied to Swiss companies, and to advocate for more responsible corporate and political behaviour.
Mission and focus areas
Public Eye’s main goals include ensuring that Swiss companies respect human rights, labour laws, and environmental standards, particularly abroad. It conducts independent research and advocacy to reveal corruption, illegal practices and inequality linked to corporate activity. The organisation contributes to sustainability discussions and accountability by pushing for legal and policy reforms that integrate social and environmental responsibilities.
Structure and governance
Public Eye is governed by a General Assembly composed of its members, with a Governing Board responsible for strategic decisions. Board members, drawn from diverse linguistic regions of Switzerland, serve voluntarily. Operational activities are run by a national directorate and supported by staff in Lausanne and Zurich, as well as numerous regional volunteers.
Programs and offerings
Public Eye produces in-depth investigations, reports, fact sheets, and campaigns that highlight corporate impacts on human rights and the environment. It engages in public events and dialogues and publishes research under its own name. Notable programmes include the Investigation Award, supporting journalists and NGOs to investigate corporate abuses, and various thematic investigations on issues like corruption, fashion supply chains, and pharmaceuticals. Its resources inform policymakers, practitioners and the public on critical sustainability and justice issues.
We are convinced that it is possible to make the world fairer and more sustainable. To make it a world where all humans can live in dignity. A world where environmental limits are respected, and where the environment is preserved for the generations to come. A world free from discrimination; a peaceful and democratic world. A world in which the economy exists to serve people by guaranteeing fair working conditions and equitable salaries.
Since 1968, Public Eye has shed light on human rights violations perpetrated by Swiss companies abroad. It conducts investigations with tenacity and reveals cases of corruption and illegal and illegitimate business models that prejudice the populations of other countries. We do not stop by pointing out these wrongdoings; we advocate for regulations that better tackle the root causes of inequality.
Focus on global justice
Our objectives
- To make Swiss companies respect human rights, labour laws and environmental standards – including abroad
- To ensure they can be held accountable by the Swiss judicial system if they commit abuses
- To ensure that victims of human rights violations perpetrated by Swiss companies abroad have the chance to seek redress in Switzerland
- To make the Swiss authorities set up a clear and binding legal framework to this end
- To ensure that Switzerland fights the resource curse to enable the populations of producer countries to benefit from their country’s resource wealth
- To ensure the political and judicial authorities combat corruption, embezzlement and tax evasion to stop Switzerland providing refuge to people who have acquired their wealth in an illicit manner
- To prevent public goods from being privatised, essential goods from being patented so that they can be shared and serve the public interest
- To prevent consumption in Switzerland from relying on exploitation and ensure that resources are preserved for future generations
- To encourage Switzerland to champion the respect for human rights, equitable working conditions and greater social justice within the international community
