Last Updated: Tuesday, 29 May 2012, 16:08 GMT

Title	Child Soldiers Global Report 2001 - Liechtenstein
Publisher	Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers
Country	Liechtenstein
Publication Date	2001
Cite as	Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers, Child Soldiers Global Report 2001 - Liechtenstein, 2001, available at: http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/498805e713.html [accessed 29 May 2012]
Disclaimer	This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Child Soldiers Global Report 2001 - Liechtenstein

PRINCIPALITY OF LIECHTENSTEIN

Mainly covers the period June 1998 to April 2001 as well as including some earlier information.

Population:
– total: 32,000
– under-18s: 7,000
Government armed forces: no active forces¹¹⁴¹
Compulsory recruitment age: no conscription
Voluntary recruitment age: no active forces
Voting age (government elections): 20
Child soldiers: none indicated
CRC-OP-CAC: signed on 8 September 2000; supports "straight-18" position
Other treaties ratified: CRC; GC/API+II

Liechtenstein does not maintain an active armed force. The government retains the power to conscript in times of emergency but no information is available on age limits in such circumstances.

GOVERNMENT

National Recruitment Legislation and Practice

Liechtenstein has no conscription and its armed forces were abolished in 1868.¹¹⁴² However, male citizens can be mobilised in the case of emergency. According to Article 44 of the 1921 Constitution, "every man fit to bear arms shall be liable, up to the completion of his sixtieth year, to serve in the defence of his country in the event of an emergency. Apart from this contingency, no armed units may be organised or maintained, except so far as may be necessary for the provision of the police service and the preservation of internal order. Detailed regulations regarding this matter shall be laid down by law".¹¹⁴³ No information is available on the minimum age for recruitment in case of emergency. Given that there are no armed forces, there is no recruitment of under-18s.¹¹⁴⁴

DEVELOPMENTS

International Standards

Liechtenstein signed the CRC-OP-CAC on 8 September 2000 and supports a "straight-18" position. The ratification process is under consideration.¹¹⁴⁵

1141 Horeman and Stolwijk op. cit.; Blaustein and Flanz op. cit.

1142 Horeman and Stolwijk op. cit.

1143 Blaustein and Flanz op. cit.

1144 Letter sent to CSC by Permanent Mission of the Principality of Liechtenstein, 15/3/01.

1145 Permanent Mission of Liechtenstein op. cit.

Topics: Child soldiers, Military service,

Regions

Countries

Countries