Preamble:
The purpose of this document is to establish the common values that the SFHEMA and its members defend. In addition to the objectives of the federation, as defined in the statutes, its purpose is to guarantee a framework of practice and to ensure the care of AMHE practitioners at the national level.
Article 1:
The Swiss Federation of European Historical Martial Arts (Swiss HEMA) aims to develop, promote, and support the European Historical Martial Arts (HEMA) in Switzerland.
Swiss HEMA recognizes and claims the dual dimension of the practice of European Historical Martial Arts, which combines physical activity and sports as well as cultural approach of an intangible heritage. These two aspects of HEMA practice are framed and encouraged equally by the federation.
Article 2:
Any activity claiming a link to Swiss HEMA must be based, directly or indirectly, on historical resources. In considering the peculiar dimension of a re-creation activity based on documents subject to multiple apprehensions, Swiss HEMA does not take any position on the interpretations developed and taught within the groups that compose it.
Article 3:
Swiss HEMA encourages its members to apply and develop the principles of critical thinking and intellectual honesty in the context of HEMA research and education. It promotes a spirit of openness and sharing that rejects all forms of retention of knowledge and claims for each practitioner a equivalent right to access historical resources.
Article 4:
Swiss HEMA places the safety of the practitioners at the heart of its action. It encourages groups to establish and comply with guidelines in this regard, particularly regarding protective equipment, and develops resources for safe practice, including through training. It condemns risky behavior such as substance use or excessive violence.
Article 5:
Swiss HEMA assumes a function of framing and promoting the practice of HEMA in Switzerland. It does not intervene in the organization or the content of the activities of the groups, which have an almost total educational freedom, in the respect of the objectives and values defended by the federation, as well as Swiss and international legislation.
Article 6:
Swiss HEMA unconditionally rejects and firmly condemns any form of discrimination or segregation, based in particular on ethnic or national or cultural-religious origins or affiliations, on sexual orientation, on gender identity, or on the handicap of its members.
Article 7:
Swiss HEMA represents the groups that compose it, but the reverse is also valid. Therefore, they must also comply and defend the common values established by the federation, whether at the associative or individual level. This includes respect for other member groups of the federation and adoption of responsible and exemplary conduct both within the club and towards the public.
Article 8:
Adhesion to this charter is an integral part of Swiss HEMA membership. In case of non-respect of these common values, the General Assembly, the supreme organ of the federation, made up of delegates from all the member associations, reserves the right to decide on any action (warning, sanction, exclusion, or other) that is considered necessary towards a group or an individual.