General international law applies to relations between all states and subjects of international law, such as international organizations. It is universally binding. Its legal basis is normally international customary law and multilateral agreements.

Unlike general international law, particular international law – which is based on bilateral agreements or regional conventions – imposes obligations only on certain states or subjects of international law.

As well as relations between states, modern international law also regulates:

• non-sovereign territories such as the oceans and outer space
• international organizations
• the rights and obligations of private individuals within individual states, for example with regard to human rights or offences against international law.

The following aspects of international law are especially important to Switzerland:

• promotion and development of international law
• Switzerland’s neutrality
• the relationship between national and international law
• the involvement of the cantons in foreign policy
• diplomatic and consular protection
• the recognition of states and governments.