The Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights, Nils Muižnieks, welcomed the solid legal and institutional framework for the protection and promotion of human rights in Liechtenstein, which has been strengthened by the establishment in January 2017 of the Association for Human Rights (Verein fuer Menschenrechte). “I hope that the Liechtenstein authorities will build on this important initiative by ensuring sustainable and adequate funding for this new institution, enabling it to play fully its key role in terms of promoting and protecting human rights in the country”, said the Commissioner following a three-day visit to Liechtenstein (22-24 November 2017). The authorities in Liechtenstein still have to reinforce the legal framework for the protection of human rights by adopting comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation applying in all fields of life for all grounds of discrimination.
Additional efforts are required as regards women’s rights and gender equality. “The Liechtenstein authorities should adopt a national gender equality strategy that would address all aspects of women’s rights ranging from participation in public life and political representation, to work-private life balance, domestic violence and access to safe and legal abortion in the country. Addressing persisting gender stereotypes about the roles of men and women in family and society is an essential element of any strategy for promoting gender equality”. In this context, the Commissioner noted with interest the discussions surrounding quotas to ensure better representation of women in politics and called for a holistic approach to the problem, including further research on existing barriers and consultation with women’s organisations to find both short-term and long-term solutions to the underrepresentation of women in political and business lives.
