| LIECHTENSTEIN Principality of Liechtenstein Fuerstentum Liechtenstein Joined United Nations: 18 September 1990 Human Rights as assured by their constitution Updated 13 February 2013 |
Chapter IV. General Rights and Obligations of Liechtenstein Citizens1
1 «The term 'Landesangehörige' (Liechtenstein citizens) employed by the Constitution is to be understood as referring to all persons
holding Liechtenstein national citizenship without distinction of sex.» (LGBl. 1971 No. 22).
Article 28
1) Every Liechtenstein citizen1 shall have the right to reside freely in any location within the territory of the State and to acquire all forms
of property, in accordance with further detailed legal provisions.
2) The residence rights of foreigners shall be determined by international treaties or, if applicable, by reciprocity.
3) Persons present within the borders of the Principality shall be bound to observe its laws and shall be entitled to the protection afforded
by the Constitution and the other laws.
1 «The term 'Landesangehörige' (Liechtenstein citizens) employed by the Constitution is to be understood as referring to all persons
holding Liechtenstein national citizenship without distinction of sex.» (LGBl. 1971 No. 22).
Article 29
1) Every Liechtenstein citizen1 shall be entitled to civil rights in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.
2) All Liechtenstein citizens1 who have completed their 18th year, have their normal residence in Liechtenstein, and whose right to vote
has not been suspended shall be entitled to all political rights in national matters.2
1 «The term 'Landesangehörige' (Liechtenstein citizens) employed by the Constitution is to be understood as referring to all persons
holding Liechtenstein national citizenship without distinction of sex.» (LGBl. 1971 No. 22).
2 Article 29 para. 2 amended by LGBl. 2000 No. 55.
Article 30
The acquisition and loss of Liechtenstein citizenship shall be determined by the laws.
Article 31
1) All Liechtenstein citizens1 shall be equal before the law. Public offices shall be equally open to them, subject to observance of the legal
provisions.
2) Men and women shall enjoy equal rights.2 3
3) The rights of foreigners shall be determined in the first instance by international treaties, or, in their absence, by reciprocity.4
1 «The term 'Landesangehörige' (Liechtenstein citizens) employed by the Constitution is to be understood as referring to all persons
holding Liechtenstein national citizenship without distinction of sex.» (LGBl. 1971 No. 22).
2 Article 31 para. 2 amended by LGBl. 1992 No. 81.
3 «The laws shall determine the amendment of current law concerning the equal rights of men and women.» (LGBl. 1992 No. 81)
4 Article 31 para. 3 amended by LGBl. 1992 No. 81.
Article 32
1) Personal liberty, the immunity of the home and the inviolability of letters and documents shall be guaranteed.
2) Except in the cases specified by law and in the manner prescribed by law, no person may be arrested or kept in custody, no houses,
persons, letters or documents may be searched, and no letters or documents may be seized.
3) Persons arrested unlawfully and persons arrested or convicted and shown to be innocent shall be entitled to full compensation from the
State as determined by the Courts. Whether and to what extent the State has a right of recourse against third parties in such cases shall be
determined by the laws.
Article 33
1) Nobody may be deprived of his ordinary Judge; special courts may not be instituted.
2) Penalties may only be threatened or imposed in accordance with the law.
3) An accused person shall be guaranteed the right of defence in all criminal matters.
Article 34
1) The inviolability of private property shall be guaranteed; confiscations may only take place in such cases as determined by law.
2) Copyright shall be regulated by law.
Article 35
1) Where demanded by the public welfare, property of any kind may be subject to assignment or encumbrance in return for
indemnification that is reasonable, or if in dispute as determined by a Judge.
2) The procedure for expropriation shall be determined by law.
Article 36
Commerce and trade shall be free within the limits prescribed by law; the admissibility of exclusive commercial and trade privileges for a
specified period of time shall be regulated by law.
Article 37
1) Freedom of religion and conscience shall be guaranteed for all.
2) The Roman Catholic Church is the National Church and as such shall enjoy the full protection of the State; other denominations shall be
entitled to practice their creeds and to hold religious services within the limits of morality and public order.
Article 38
Ownership and all other proprietary rights of religious communities and associations in respect of their institutes, foundations and other
possessions devoted to worship, instruction, and charity shall be guaranteed. The administration of church property in the parishes shall
be regulated by a specific law; the agreement of the church authorities shall be sought before the law is enacted.
Article 39
The enjoyment of civil and political rights shall be independent of religious creed; religious creed may not be detrimental to civil obligations.
Article 40
All persons shall have the right to freely express their opinion and to communicate their ideas verbally, in writing, in print or with images,
within the limits of the law and morality; censorship may only be exercised in respect of public performances and exhibitions.
Article 41
The right of free association and assembly shall be guaranteed within the limits prescribed by law.
Article 42
The right to petition Parliament and the National Committee shall be guaranteed; not only individuals whose rights or interests are affected
but also municipalities and bodies shall be entitled to have their wishes and requests brought before Parliament by a Member of Parliament.
Article 43
The right of complaint shall be guaranteed. Every Liechtenstein citizen1 shall be entitled to lodge a complaint regarding any action or
procedure on the part of a public authority that is contrary to the Constitution, the law, or ordinances and that is detrimental to his rights
or interests. Such complaint may be addressed to the immediately superior authority and may, if necessary, be pursued to the highest
authority, to the extent that the stages of recourse are not limited by law. If a complaint thus submitted is rejected by the superior
authority, the superior authority shall be required to disclose to the complainant the reasons for its decision.
1 «The term 'Landesangehörige' (Liechtenstein citizens) employed by the Constitution is to be understood as referring to all persons
holding Liechtenstein national citizenship without distinction of sex.» (LGBl. 1971 No. 22).
Article 44
1) Every man fit to bear arms shall be required, until the completion of his 60th year, to serve in the defence of the country in the event of
emergency.
2) Except in this event, armed groups may only be formed and maintained to the extent deemed necessary for the provision of the police
service and the preservation of internal order. Further detailed provisions in this regard shall be laid down by law.
1 «The term 'Landesangehörige' (Liechtenstein citizens) employed by the Constitution is to be understood as referring to all persons
holding Liechtenstein national citizenship without distinction of sex.» (LGBl. 1971 No. 22).
Article 28
1) Every Liechtenstein citizen1 shall have the right to reside freely in any location within the territory of the State and to acquire all forms
of property, in accordance with further detailed legal provisions.
2) The residence rights of foreigners shall be determined by international treaties or, if applicable, by reciprocity.
3) Persons present within the borders of the Principality shall be bound to observe its laws and shall be entitled to the protection afforded
by the Constitution and the other laws.
1 «The term 'Landesangehörige' (Liechtenstein citizens) employed by the Constitution is to be understood as referring to all persons
holding Liechtenstein national citizenship without distinction of sex.» (LGBl. 1971 No. 22).
Article 29
1) Every Liechtenstein citizen1 shall be entitled to civil rights in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.
2) All Liechtenstein citizens1 who have completed their 18th year, have their normal residence in Liechtenstein, and whose right to vote
has not been suspended shall be entitled to all political rights in national matters.2
1 «The term 'Landesangehörige' (Liechtenstein citizens) employed by the Constitution is to be understood as referring to all persons
holding Liechtenstein national citizenship without distinction of sex.» (LGBl. 1971 No. 22).
2 Article 29 para. 2 amended by LGBl. 2000 No. 55.
Article 30
The acquisition and loss of Liechtenstein citizenship shall be determined by the laws.
Article 31
1) All Liechtenstein citizens1 shall be equal before the law. Public offices shall be equally open to them, subject to observance of the legal
provisions.
2) Men and women shall enjoy equal rights.2 3
3) The rights of foreigners shall be determined in the first instance by international treaties, or, in their absence, by reciprocity.4
1 «The term 'Landesangehörige' (Liechtenstein citizens) employed by the Constitution is to be understood as referring to all persons
holding Liechtenstein national citizenship without distinction of sex.» (LGBl. 1971 No. 22).
2 Article 31 para. 2 amended by LGBl. 1992 No. 81.
3 «The laws shall determine the amendment of current law concerning the equal rights of men and women.» (LGBl. 1992 No. 81)
4 Article 31 para. 3 amended by LGBl. 1992 No. 81.
Article 32
1) Personal liberty, the immunity of the home and the inviolability of letters and documents shall be guaranteed.
2) Except in the cases specified by law and in the manner prescribed by law, no person may be arrested or kept in custody, no houses,
persons, letters or documents may be searched, and no letters or documents may be seized.
3) Persons arrested unlawfully and persons arrested or convicted and shown to be innocent shall be entitled to full compensation from the
State as determined by the Courts. Whether and to what extent the State has a right of recourse against third parties in such cases shall be
determined by the laws.
Article 33
1) Nobody may be deprived of his ordinary Judge; special courts may not be instituted.
2) Penalties may only be threatened or imposed in accordance with the law.
3) An accused person shall be guaranteed the right of defence in all criminal matters.
Article 34
1) The inviolability of private property shall be guaranteed; confiscations may only take place in such cases as determined by law.
2) Copyright shall be regulated by law.
Article 35
1) Where demanded by the public welfare, property of any kind may be subject to assignment or encumbrance in return for
indemnification that is reasonable, or if in dispute as determined by a Judge.
2) The procedure for expropriation shall be determined by law.
Article 36
Commerce and trade shall be free within the limits prescribed by law; the admissibility of exclusive commercial and trade privileges for a
specified period of time shall be regulated by law.
Article 37
1) Freedom of religion and conscience shall be guaranteed for all.
2) The Roman Catholic Church is the National Church and as such shall enjoy the full protection of the State; other denominations shall be
entitled to practice their creeds and to hold religious services within the limits of morality and public order.
Article 38
Ownership and all other proprietary rights of religious communities and associations in respect of their institutes, foundations and other
possessions devoted to worship, instruction, and charity shall be guaranteed. The administration of church property in the parishes shall
be regulated by a specific law; the agreement of the church authorities shall be sought before the law is enacted.
Article 39
The enjoyment of civil and political rights shall be independent of religious creed; religious creed may not be detrimental to civil obligations.
Article 40
All persons shall have the right to freely express their opinion and to communicate their ideas verbally, in writing, in print or with images,
within the limits of the law and morality; censorship may only be exercised in respect of public performances and exhibitions.
Article 41
The right of free association and assembly shall be guaranteed within the limits prescribed by law.
Article 42
The right to petition Parliament and the National Committee shall be guaranteed; not only individuals whose rights or interests are affected
but also municipalities and bodies shall be entitled to have their wishes and requests brought before Parliament by a Member of Parliament.
Article 43
The right of complaint shall be guaranteed. Every Liechtenstein citizen1 shall be entitled to lodge a complaint regarding any action or
procedure on the part of a public authority that is contrary to the Constitution, the law, or ordinances and that is detrimental to his rights
or interests. Such complaint may be addressed to the immediately superior authority and may, if necessary, be pursued to the highest
authority, to the extent that the stages of recourse are not limited by law. If a complaint thus submitted is rejected by the superior
authority, the superior authority shall be required to disclose to the complainant the reasons for its decision.
1 «The term 'Landesangehörige' (Liechtenstein citizens) employed by the Constitution is to be understood as referring to all persons
holding Liechtenstein national citizenship without distinction of sex.» (LGBl. 1971 No. 22).
Article 44
1) Every man fit to bear arms shall be required, until the completion of his 60th year, to serve in the defence of the country in the event of
emergency.
2) Except in this event, armed groups may only be formed and maintained to the extent deemed necessary for the provision of the police
service and the preservation of internal order. Further detailed provisions in this regard shall be laid down by law.
Raetians (Vennons) and Vindelics (Celts) first occupied the region around 5000 BCE. Raetia
was conquered by Rome in 15 BCE with Christianity introduced in the 4t Century. Rome's
collapse in the 5th century touch off Alemannic migration with the region being absorbed
into the Frankish Empire in the 8th Century with the Frankish county constitution introduced
by Charlemagne in 806. Throughout the Middle Ages the land was divided among a variety
of German Counts but were finally merged into the existing state in 1416 under the Bernese
Oberland being drawn into numerous border wars between Germany and Switzerland. The
rulers of Liechtenstein were elevated to Princes in 1608 and the began purchasing the lands
of the region which they named after their family and obtained Imperial Principality status in
1719 though the original rulers never left their Austrian home. A reformist constitution was
instituted in 1862 increasing the power of Parliament. Neutrality in both World Wars spared
Liechtenstein much of Europe's devastation and a booming economy. The present
constitution was promulgated on 5 October 1921. It has revised many times, most recently
in 2003. Human rights are enumerated beginning with Chapter IV (General Rights and
Obligations of Liechtenstein Citizens), conforms with the 1948 Universal Declaration of
Human Rights of which Liechtenstein is a signatory and are detailed below. For a full
English translation of Liechtenstein's Constitution, click here.
was conquered by Rome in 15 BCE with Christianity introduced in the 4t Century. Rome's
collapse in the 5th century touch off Alemannic migration with the region being absorbed
into the Frankish Empire in the 8th Century with the Frankish county constitution introduced
by Charlemagne in 806. Throughout the Middle Ages the land was divided among a variety
of German Counts but were finally merged into the existing state in 1416 under the Bernese
Oberland being drawn into numerous border wars between Germany and Switzerland. The
rulers of Liechtenstein were elevated to Princes in 1608 and the began purchasing the lands
of the region which they named after their family and obtained Imperial Principality status in
1719 though the original rulers never left their Austrian home. A reformist constitution was
instituted in 1862 increasing the power of Parliament. Neutrality in both World Wars spared
Liechtenstein much of Europe's devastation and a booming economy. The present
constitution was promulgated on 5 October 1921. It has revised many times, most recently
in 2003. Human rights are enumerated beginning with Chapter IV (General Rights and
Obligations of Liechtenstein Citizens), conforms with the 1948 Universal Declaration of
Human Rights of which Liechtenstein is a signatory and are detailed below. For a full
English translation of Liechtenstein's Constitution, click here.