The Principality of Liechtenstein is a monarchy with a parliamentary government. The unicameral legislature (Landtag) is elected for a 4-year term by secret ballot and universal suffrage. There are 3 women in the 25-member legislature and 1 woman in the 5-member Cabinet. Increasingly, women are active in politics and on the executive committees of the major political parties. The Progressive Citizen's Party holds all Cabinet seats. Referenda are held to allow citizens a direct vote on issues. All policy must have the agreement of the Monarch and the Prime Minister.

Discrimination on the basis of race, sex, language or social status is prohibited, as is public incitement to violence or insult against a race, people or ethnic group. The UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) supported measures to promote equality and integration of non-citizens. The UNHRC is concerned with reported xenophobia and intolerance, especially against Muslims and people of Turkish origin. Right-wing extremism, xenophobia and religious intolerance are reported.

The judiciary is independent. Security forces act within the law, and impunity is not a problem. The highly industrialised economy has a strong services sector. The standard of living is high.

Freedom of speech and of the press are guaranteed and implemented in practice. The Roman Catholic Church is the state church, and its finances are even integrated into the budgets of the national and local governments. The UNHRC has expressed concern about the unequal treatment of different religious denominations.

Education is universal, free and compulsory until age 16, and secondary school is free to age 18. Roman Catholic or Protestant religious education is compulsory in all primary schools, with exemptions at the request of parents. Secondary school students choose between confessional religious education or classes on ethics and culture.

A 2-year programme begins at age 4. All 68 ECE teachers are women. The pupil/teacher ratio (PTR) is 12 : 1

Education is compulsory for ages 7 to 16. Primary school begins at age 6 and continues for 5 years. 50% of students are girls. At this level 3% of education is private. There are 242 primary teachers (72% female). The PTR is 9 : 1.

Secondary education begins at age 11 and is completed in 7 years. At this level 4% of education is private. 76% of students in upper secondary education study in technical vocational programmes.

440 students (27% female) study in tertiary institutions. All education at this level is private. 670 students study abroad, mainly in Switzerland (503), Austria (109), Germany (19), the UK (13) and France (8).

Discrimination against persons with disabilities is prohibited in education or in other state services. Services for students with disabilities are provided by integration into mainstream schools or in special schools.

The law provides for the granting of asylum or refugee status in accordance with the 1951 UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol, and the government has established a system for providing protection to refugees. The government cooperates with the office of the UNHCR and other humanitarian organisations in assisting refugees and asylum-seekers.

Right-wing extremists, including skinheads, are active and monitored by the government. A government advisory commission attempted to raise public awareness to address acts of violence in public areas such as schools and playgrounds.

Reports do not indicate any violations of academic freedom.

Women's rights are guaranteed, and legislation establishes conditions allowing both men and women to combine work and family. Retirement benefits are divided in the case of divorce whether or not the parties involved worked outside the home. A court upheld a woman's claim for equal pay for work of equal value.

An annual action plan and report promote equal opportunity for both women and men, with women in politics and in business being the current focus of the action plan. Mentoring of women has begun to encourage them to run for elections.

Domestic violence is prohibited in law, but incidents are reported. Sexual harassment is prohibited. Social discrimination limits opportunities for women in traditional male fields.

The minimum age for employment is 16. Exceptions are made for limited employment of children aged 14 and 15, who can perform light duties for not more than 9 hours a week during the academic year or 15 hours a week in vacations. Children under 16 who leave school after completing 9 years of compulsory education can also work. Child labour legislation is enforced.

All workers can form and join trade unions. Some 13% of the work force is unionised, and all members belong to a single trade union. Workers have the right to bargain collectively, and collective agreements are usually adapted from agreements already negotiated by Swiss employers and unions. Workers have the right to strike, except those in essential services. Forced or compulsory labour is prohibited. There is no national minimum wage; the average salary provides a decent standard of living for a worker and family.