Liechtenstein: Concerns raised about the lack of appropriate detention facilities
During the 79th Session of the Committee Against Torture (CAT) on Wednesday 24th and Thursday 25th April 2024, the CAT conducted its 5th periodic review of Liechtenstein. The country rapporteurs were Mr. Iscan and Mr. Vedel Kessing.
The country delegation was led by Ms. Karin Lingg the Head of the Security and Human Rights Division, Office for Foreign Affairs.
Main issues discussed
The CAT commended Liechtenstein on its continued engagement with treaty bodies, including the example they are setting in the financial support to UN anti-torture bodies, including the UN Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture.
The experts raised growing concerns about the lack of appropriate facilities within Liechtenstein to house detainees, leading to all those convicted within Liechtenstein to serve their sentence in Austria regardless of the length. There were further concerns raised about the lack of monitoring of Austrian prisons. The CAT also raised concerns about the distance family members and friends of convicts serving in Austria would have to travel to see them.
The experts noted concerns about the agreement with Switzerland on the removal of people from Liechtenstein to be placed in psychiatric or social welfare institutions due to a lack of appropriate mental health facilities within Liechtenstein
The CAT raised concerns about the responsibility of investigations into torture of prisoners serving their sentences in Austria. The delegation responded that while the responsibility would rest on Austria, an investigation would also be launched in Liechtenstein.
While the committee recognised that Liechtenstein ratified the Convention on the Protection of People with Disabilities in 2023, it urged them to ratify the Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances which they signed in 2007.
The CAT raised concerns that torture was subject to a limitation period of three years, it urged them to consider abolishing this limitation period. The CAT welcomed examples of the use of universal jurisdiction used to prosecute crimes of torture in Liechtenstein's courts.
The CAT also encouraged Liechtenstein to follow up on the 2023 UPR recommendation to continue addressing gender-based violence by adopting a comprehensive anti-discrimination law to advance equality, protect and increase representation of women.
The CAT’s recommendations are available here.
Follow-up recommendations:
The State party should provide information by 10th of May 2025 on the implementation of recommendations regarding:
- Conditions of detention.
- Extraterritorial incarceration.
Watch here (part one and part two) of the dialogue with the CAT.
