Liechtenstein faced calls to improve opportunities for women in the labour market as well as in the political sphere during a review of its human rights record carried out by its fellow States. States specifically encouraged Liechtenstein to continue addressing inequality in wages between women and men.

Responding to calls on women’s rights, Liechenstein’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, informed States about the country’s expanding childcare network, and described how it promoted chances for women to enter employment.

Liechtenstein faced calls to improve opportunities for women in the labour market as well as in the political sphere during a review of its human rights record carried out by its fellow States. States specifically encouraged Liechtenstein to continue addressing inequality in wages between women and men.

Responding to calls on women’s rights, Liechenstein’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, informed States about the country’s expanding childcare network, and described how it promoted chances for women to enter employment.

The review took place as part of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process.

Concerns on integration of minority groups

Although Liechtenstein received praise for its efforts to combat racism and its national plan to address right-wing extremism, States such as Norway nevertheless urged the country to improve the integration of minority of groups. Moreover, States called on the country to adopt a policy that would ensure principles of equality and non-discrimination. Several States also recommended that Liechtenstein adopt national legislation that specifically prohibited racial discrimination, aligned with the recommendations of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD).

Non- ratification of international human rights standards

States encouraged Liechtenstein to ratify the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and its Optional Protocol, the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), the Convention on Enforced Disappearances (CED) and its Optional Protocol, and the Convention on the Rights of Migrant Workers (CMW).      

Other issues discussed

Switzerland recommended Liechtenstein to engage in discussions about the legal framework for the termination of pregnancies, and that the government amend its Criminal Code so that it would provide for the termination of a pregnancy.

Other recommendations made included:

• To align domestic laws with obligations under the International Criminal Court’s Rome Statute
• To further increase the amount of its budget dedicated to overseas development assistance (currently at 0.62% it is slightly behind the international target of 0.7%)
• To set up a national human rights institution that complies with the Paris Principles
• To establish effective mechanisms to identify victims of human trafficking
• To set up temporary shelters for victims of human trafficking
• To raise awareness about discrimination based on sexual orientation

Liechtenstein received a total of 85 recommendations and will reply to all of them no later than 23^rd session of the Human Rights Council, scheduled from 27 May to 14 June 2013.

Heather Collister is a Human Rights Officer and Carlen Zhang is an Intern with the International Service for Human Rights. To follow developments in the UPR and at the Human Rights Council as they happen, follow us on Twitter: @ISHRglobal.