Priorities of foreign policy
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Thematically, Liechtenstein’s focus in these bodies is on women’s rights, children’s rights,
and combating torture and the death penalty. Additionally, Liechtenstein has made it a crossthematic priority to advocate for strengthening international human rights structures and
mechanisms and for combating impunity for grave human rights violations. This advocacy is
expressed especially also in connection with country-specific resolutions and declarations.
Apart from its advocacy in the field of international human rights policy in a narrower sense,
Liechtenstein advocates placing importance on human rights concerns also in other
relevant areas of foreign policy, especially International Humanitarian Cooperation
In the field of
and Development (IHCD), foreign environmental policy, the international fight against
international human
terrorism, and the work of the UN Security Council.
Apart from its involvement in international bodies, the ongoing domestic implementation of human rights obligations assumed by Liechtenstein is a key component of
human rights policy. Liechtenstein is a state party to many global and European human
rights policy, Liechtenstein
has developed its own
independent
rights conventions. At the European level, the most important human rights agreement
profile.
is the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) with its additional protocols. At
the global level, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and
the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights are of particular note. Fulfilment of the
obligations under the ECHR is monitored by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in
Strasbourg through its consideration of complaints and its corresponding judgements. Within
the framework of the UN human rights conventions and other European conventions, this is accomplished by way of reporting procedures and additionally by way of individual complaints to
the treaty bodies, where provided and where recognised by Liechtenstein. Additionally, the UN
as well as the Council of Europe and the OSCE provide for various procedures and mechanisms
to monitor the human rights standards defined by the respective organisation by conducting
country visits.
One special challenge for the implementation of international human rights conventions is the
considerable workload involved in meeting reporting obligations. Moreover, the demands arising
from the conventions to create special structures are not easy for a small state like Liechtenstein
to meet. To satisfy the claim of international human rights standards to universality and to make
Liechtenstein’s foreign policy credible, Liechtenstein should continue to aim for a high level of
domestic implementation in the field of human rights. The universal validity of human rights has
recently been called into question by various parties with reference to the religious or cultural
particularities of countries and societies. This negative trend must be opposed in order to prevent a weakening of the foundation of international human rights protection.