A/HRC/38/16
59.
Liechtenstein was committed to combating human trafficking and modern slavery. It
planned to focus on identifying and disrupting the illicit financial flows associated with
human trafficking and modern slavery.
60.
In 2015, official development assistance as a share of gross national income had
stood at 0.46 per cent and the intention was to improve on that figure in the near future.
61.
As to the incorporation into domestic law of a distinct crime of torture, in strict
conformity with article 1 of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or
Degrading Treatment or Punishment, a government working group had recently prepared a
revised version of the Criminal Code. By incorporating the planned new elements into the
Criminal Code, Liechtenstein would be implementing the recommendations of the
Committee against Torture and those made during the universal periodic review.
62.
Liechtenstein had signed the International Convention for the Protection of All
Persons from Enforced Disappearance in 2007 and there were no substantial problems
regarding its ratification. The Government was currently working to introduce a definition
of enforced disappearance into the Criminal Code: once that process had been completed,
the Government would both re-evaluate and discuss its position on ratification of the
Convention. Liechtenstein was not, and did not intend in the near future to become, a
member of the International Labour Organization (ILO), therefore, it could not ratify ILO
instruments. Liechtenstein attached great importance to social and economic rights. As a
full member of the European Economic Area, Liechtenstein had been transposing all
relevant European Union legislation, including labour standards, into domestic law. Many
of those labour standards went far beyond what the ILO instruments stipulated. The
Government did not have any plans to sign or ratify the International Convention on the
Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families.
63.
Turning to the advance questions, remarks and recommendations regarding
measures taken to ensure equitable working conditions, including wage indicators, for
immigrants and nationals, Liechtenstein applied the same high labour and social security
standards as all European Union member States. Those standards were applied equally to
all employees in Liechtenstein. Unemployment was very low by international standards.
The annual average in 2016 had been 2.3 per cent. Among foreign nationals, the average
unemployment rate in 2016 had been 3.4 per cent, slightly higher than that for
Liechtenstein citizens, which had been 1.6 per cent. There were more than 15 generally
binding collective bargaining agreements governing minimum wages, working hours and
other employment conditions, to counteract social or wage dumping.
64.
De facto equality between men and women remained a challenge. Many measures in
that regard had been implemented based on the Gender Equality Act.
65.
The gender wage gap had fallen continuously over the past eight years, from 20 per
cent in 2006 to 16.5 per cent in 2014.
66.
In order to ensure the integration of migrant children, a number of language learning
support initiatives had been launched, such as intensive German-as-a-second-language
courses for newly arrived children and adolescents, obligatory school enrolment and early
education, involving the participation of parents.
67.
Liechtenstein promoted the integration of immigrants and offered protection to
refugees, in line with the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees. There were
no plans to revise the legal framework regarding family reunification issues, as the existing
legislation was compatible with international obligations and the right to family life was
guaranteed. There was a fast track in place for refugee family reunification.
68.
All asylum seekers had access to free legal counselling throughout the asylum
process and, should they so desire, to legal aid and representation when appealing against
government decisions.
69.
In 2016, an amendment to article 283 the Criminal Code had entered into force,
introducing a comprehensive prohibition on discrimination, including all types of hate
speech. While previously only racial discrimination had constituted a criminal offence,
public incitement to hatred or discrimination on the grounds of language, nationality,
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