Environment
Liechtenstein is a tiny European principality located between Switzerland and Austria.
History
The Principality of Liechtenstein was bought by the Liechtenstein family. In 1699 Prince Hans Adam, acquired the County of Schellenberg and in 1712 the County of Vaduz. In 1719 Liechtenstein became part of the Holy Roman Empire. In 1805 it joined the Confederation of the Rhine and in 1815 the Germanic Confederation, which was dissolved in 1866. Liechtenstein formed a customs union with Austria in 1852. After the First World War and the collapse of the Austrian currency, Liechtenstein turned to Switzerland with which it concluded a customs union in 1923. Liechtenstein was neutral in both World Wars. In 1991 it joined the United Nations and EFTA, and the European Economic Area in 1995. In 1999 the European Court of Human Rights ruled in favour of a senior judge Dr Herbert Wille and against Prince Hans-Adam II that the Supreme Court rather than the monarch should have the last say in constitutional matters. However, a new constitution was approved by 64 per cent of voters in 2003 giving the prince the right to dissolve government, control a committee appointing judges, and veto legislation. The constitution also gives the people the power to call a referendum and abolish the monarchy.
Governance
The official language is German. The country is divided into 11 Gemeinden (communes) governed autonomously but under central government supervision. Women received the vote only in 1984 and in 1992 the constitution was amended to give women equal rights.
In 2005 the Office for Gender Equality was expanded to become the Office for Equal Opportunity. Its responsibilities include immigration and integration of foreigners, school and education, work, health, social security, disability, age, religion, gender and sexual orientation. It provides counselling and coordination with other government offices.
The Penal Code was amended to make racism a criminal offence as of February 2003. At the same time the government adopted a five-year National Action Plan against racism, which includes education regarding racism and xenophobia, and programmes for integrating foreigners.
In July 2003 the government set up the Commission for the Protection against Violence to document acts of violence linked to right-wing extremism.
Children acquire citizenship if either parent is a citizen of Liechtenstein. Foreign nationals can obtain Liechtenstein citizenship if they have lived in Liechtenstein for at least five years and have renounced their previous nationality.
