Submitted by jhortolani on
This report is part of CRIN's access to justice for children project, looking at the status of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) in national law, the status of children involved in legal proceedings, the legal means to challenge violations of children’s rights and the practical considerations involved in challenging violations.
The CRC has been incorporated into the laws of Liechtenstein, but does not take precedence over national laws as Liechtenstein’s government does not consider all of the rights within the Convention to be sufficiently specific to establish rights that courts could apply directly. The CRC has been cited by national courts, but not in a consistent manner. Children through their representatives may lodge a complaint in court against any action or decision that violates their rights. In some limited circumstances, children may also bring cases on their own behalf. Challenges against violations of children’s rights can be brought in all courts, including via individual complaints in front of Liechtenstein’s Constitutional Court. Collective complaints are possible if lodged by groups of 100 citizens or over and legal aid is available for all proceedings. Statutes of limitations for criminal complaints against sexual abuse are delayed until the victim has reached the age of 18 and special procedures exist for child victims giving evidence in court.
