Summary of law reform necessary to achieve full prohibition

Corporal punishment is prohibited in all settings, including the home.

Current legality of corporal punishment

Home

Corporal punishment is prohibited in the home. Article 3 of the Children and Youth Act 2008 (in force January 2009) states (unofficial translation): “(1) Children and young people have the rights outlined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child and to the following measures: (a) protection notably against discrimination, neglect, violence, abuse and sexual abuse; (b) education/upbringing without violence: corporal punishment, psychological harm and other degrading treatment are not accepted .... (2) Children can address the Ombudsperson when they believe their rights have been violated.”

Schools

Corporal punishment is prohibited at all levels of education under article 5 of the School Order (1985). Article 3 of the Children and Youth Act (see above) also applies.

Penal system

Corporal punishment is unlawful as a sentence for crime. It is not available as a sentence for crime under the Criminal Code, the Criminal Procedure Code (1988) or the Juvenile Court Act.

Corporal punishment is unlawful as a disciplinary measure in penal institutions under article 3 of the Children and Youth Act (see above).

Alternative care

Corporal punishment is unlawful in alternative care settings under article 3 of the Children and Youth Act (see above).

Prevalence research

None identified in the last ten years.

For research published more than ten years ago, see the research pages.

Recommendations by human rights treaty bodies

Committee on the Rights of the Child

“The Committee is concerned that all forms of corporal punishment are not specifically prohibited by law in all settings where it may occur.

“The Committee urges the State party to prohibit expressly by law all forms of corporal punishment, in particular in the family and in private alternative care settings. The State party is further encouraged to undertake awareness-raising campaigns and education programmes aimed at parents, professionals and children concerning non-violent forms of discipline and participatory forms of child-rearing and education, and to study the prevalence of corporal punishment of children in the family.”
(16 March 2006, CRC/C/LIE/CO/2, Concluding observations on second report, paras. 22 and 23)

Universal Periodic Review

Liechtenstein was examined under the Universal Periodic Review process in 2008. Full prohibition of corporal punishment was achieved in the same year.