Foreword
Dear members
Dear supporters
The wars in Ukraine and Gaza are leading to massive human rights violations, war crimes and humanitarian suffering. Around the world, political polarization, populism and authoritarian tendencies are threatening basic democratic values and thus also the protection of human rights. The global environmental crisis is driving millions of people to flee their homes and into poverty, posing immense challenges to the human rights to food, water and a safe life.
At the same time, acceptance of the international order is declining. International law and its institutions such as the UN and the International Criminal Court are under pressure. In Europe, too, democracy and freedom are under greater threat than we ever thought possible.
In this context, national human rights institutions are more important than ever. They protect the fundamental rights of all people, uncover abuses and ensure that governments do not forget their responsibilities.
Information and education are essential cornerstones for the protection of human rights. It creates knowledge and awareness in order to recognize discrimination, oppression and injustice and to actively stand up for a just, free and humane society. Since August, we have been offering tolerance workshops at schools in addition to our tried-and-tested human rights workshops. We are proud to have received a government funding award for this. Many thanks to our partner organizations Amnesty International Liechtenstein and aha - Tipps und Infos für junge Leute, for this long-standing collaboration!
In 2024, we offered advice and support to 57 people who contacted the VCR with human rights concerns. With our current project "Pro Menschenrechte - Prozessieren mit Wirkung" (Pro Human Rights - Effective Litigation), we want to ensure that more human rights cases are heard in Liechtenstein and that those affected receive free legal protection. Many thanks to all donors and to the legal experts who support us in this endeavor.
We want to reach further milestones from 2025. Our project study on the creation of a "child-friendly justice system" is a focal point. Children and young people should be able to fully exercise their right to be heard and have a say in all legal proceedings. Their interests should be taken into account in legal decisions. To this end, we need new structures such as children's advocates and inter-agency cooperation.
Another priority is the establishment of a mechanism for reviewing disability rights. These have been placed on a completely new footing with the entry into force of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Liechtenstein in 2024. We look forward to working with experts and people with disabilities to establish our new function as a monitoring body for disability rights.
We will continue to work on these and many other issues and are counting on you. Our joint commitment is the backbone of human rights in Liechtenstein and ensures that humanity and justice do not fall by the wayside.
Thank you for your support!
Wilfried Marxer, President
