This page provides information on the national frameworks to address hate crime in Liechtenstein. The information provided here should be viewed alongside data presented on Liechtenstein's hate crime report page.

Hate crime recording and data collection

Liechtenstein's National Police reports all criminal offences (including hate crime) to the public prosecutor's office. The public prosecutor's office verifies whether there is a criminal offence, and then instructs the Princely Court and/or the National Police to conduct further investigations. The National Police compiles a statistical report and publishes it online on an annual basis. However, Liechtenstein does not record the bias motivations of crime, and there are therefore no statistics on hate crime.

Hate crime victim support

Liechtenstein provides support to victims of hate crime as part of its general victim support scheme. Hate crime victims have the same legal status as other crime victims.

The dedicated Violence Protection Commission addresses violence in the public sphere, including violence motivated by bias. Its Expert Group against Right-Wing Extremism is tasked with coaching and training social workers and providing general advice. The victim support system relies on the state-supported Victims Assistance Office, which provides counselling to victims and their family members, as well as the necessary medical, psychological, social, material, and legal assistance. Urgent assistance is provided at all times, while long-term support is decided on by the Victims Assistance Office following the individual examination of each case.

The rights of victims in criminal proceedings are set out in Articles 31a and 31b of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CCP). Crime victims must be informed of their rights and, upon their request, of developments in the case and the release of the perpetrator from detention. Victims of all crimes can join criminal proceedings as private parties. During the proceedings, civil claimants have the right to file applications, consult files, and participate in the trial.