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• Local Initiatives
• Local Fundraisers
• Bigger Scale Projects

Local Initiatives

1. Flüchtlingshilfe Liechtenstein (Refugee Aid Liechtenstein): Refugee Aid Liechtenstein stands for the protection of refugees and people in need of protection, for respect, openness and tolerance towards people seeking admission in Liechtenstein. They advocate the realization of fundamental and human rights and compliance with the Geneva Refugee Convention: https://www.fluechtlingshilfe.li/
2. Ausländer- und Passamt (Immigration and Passport Office): The asylum procedure in Liechtenstein is used to determine who has to be accepted as a refugee due to persecution in the country of origin or who cannot return there for humanitarian reasons and is therefore allowed to stay in Liechtenstein. The Immigration and Passport Office (APA) is responsible for the asylum procedure. Asylum applications are decided by the government and, on appeal, by the Administrative Court and the State Court.

Asylum procedure:

In a first step, the APA will interview the person and ask about the route of travel, in the course of the interview it will be checked via the EURODAC fingerprint system whether the person concerned has already filed an asylum application in another Dublin state. If there are one or more hits, the Dublin procedure is initiated.If Liechtenstein is responsible, the APA examines in one or more interviews whether the grounds for asylum are credible and - if so - whether refugee status under the Asylum Act is fulfilled. The interview with the asylum seeker is intended to establish the facts relevant to the decision on the asylum application or the credibility of their existence. All asylum interviews are conducted with the help of an interpreter in the asylum seeker's native language and in the presence of a relief agency representative. Asylum seekers are obliged to cooperate in establishing the facts of the case and must disclose their identity, hand over relevant documents, state relevant grounds for asylum, designate and submit any evidence and cooperate in the collection of biometric data.

During the asylum procedure, the APA makes the clarifications necessary for the asylum decision to establish the facts of the case. The government finally makes a decision on the asylum application. If it recognizes the refugee status, the person concerned is granted asylum in Liechtenstein and thus a residence permit. If the government rejects the asylum application or if the application is rejected by the responsible member of the government on the grounds of inadmissibility, the person is usually ordered to leave Liechtenstein and enforced.

Asylum seekers who are not granted asylum in Liechtenstein but for whom enforcement of removal is not possible (technically impossible), not permissible (concrete danger: violations e.g. of the European Convention on Human Rights) or not reasonable (e.g. because of war or serious personal hardship) are granted temporary admission for a period of one year. After that, the reason for provisional admission or the possibility of enforcing removal is reviewed again.

The Asylum Ordinance contains supplementary provisions on the asylum procedure in cases of gender-specific persecution, for unaccompanied minors as well as victims of torture, which take into account the psychological condition and age of these persons.https://www.llv.li/inhalt/117386/amtsstellen/fluchtlingsbegriff-und-asylrecht

3. UNHCR Office for Switzerland and Liechtenstein. At the centre of our work, as everywhere else in the world, are the people for whom we are responsible: Refugees, asylum seekers, stateless persons. However, the Swiss institutions and authorities are primarily responsible for their protection. Switzerland and Liechtenstein have a developed asylum system for this purpose. UNHCR supports both countries in implementing these tasks on the basis of international obligations under international law.
4. Taskforce „Asyl“. Since the asylum situation can change at any time and very quickly, it was already clear in 2015 that Liechtenstein must prepare itself for possible changes in the situation and closely follow developments at the European level and in neighboring countries. For this reason, the government decided to set up the Asylum Taskforce in autumn 2015. This task force coordinates interdepartmental arrangements for the reception and accommodation of asylum seekers, the provision of emergency accommodation and the ordering of any security measures. Now, in view of the Ukraine war, the task force has resumed its work. The task force is led by the National Police and the Foreigners and Passport Office (APA). Together with the refugee assistance, the task force now wants to clarify how many refugees can be accepted in Liechtenstein. According to the Taskforce, the reception centre in Vaduz can currently accommodate 100 more refugees, including 36 in the Triesen industry. In addition, the Taskforce is in contact with the municipalities to find out how much additional space there is in the air-raid shelters that are spread throughout the country.
5. Liechtensteinische Regierung (Government of Liechtenstein). Liechtenstein condemns Russian aggression against Ukraine:

The Government of Liechtenstein strongly condemns the Russian military operation in Ukraine. This attack constitutes a striking violation of international law and a breach of the fundamental rules of the international order. The Government of Liechtenstein is extremely concerned about the latest developments in Ukraine and appeals to the Russian Government to immediately cease acts of war. It calls for compliance with international humanitarian law and for the protection of civilians in the war zone.

In this challenging situation, the Government of Liechtenstein expresses its solidarity with the Ukrainian people and Government. The staff on the Ukraine crisis set up by the Government is currently analyzing the possible effects of the conflict on an ongoing basis and with the involvement of all relevant bodies. The government is considering a very timely autonomous and full follow-up to the sanctions imposed by the EU.

Despite the recent escalations, the government continues to hope for a peaceful resolution of the conflict. Liechtenstein supports the intensive efforts of international organizations and its partner countries to prevent war in Europe.

Solidarity with the civilian population:

With regard to possible migration movements, Liechtenstein, as a Schengen member, is in close exchange with Switzerland and its other partners in Europe. Liechtenstein is prepared for the possible arrival of a larger number of people on the run with an emergency concept as well as the necessary structures.

Liechtenstein continues to impose sanctions against Russia:

The government decided on 28 February to implement the sanctions against Russian and Belarusian nationals imposed by the EU on 25 February 2022. The financial sanctions are directed, among others, against Russian President Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The basis for this is the Law on the Enforcement of International Sanctions. The corresponding decree on measures in connection with the situation in Ukraine has been published and is in force.

[This also includes a SWIFT exclusion of Russia].

Local Fundraisers

1. Glückskette – die solidarische Schweiz (Glückskette - Switzerland in solidarity). On Thursday 24 February, Russia launched a large-scale military offensive against Ukraine. The people of Ukraine are witnessing the conflict that began in 2014 spreading to their entire country and fear for their future. We are closely monitoring the situation on the ground with our Swiss partner organizations to help the Ukrainian people when the situation allows.https://www.glueckskette.ch/krise-in-der-ukraine/
2. Yulia Wohlwend. Collection of relief goods in Ruggell on 1 March - clothes, food, etc. - to take to Ukraine. Update: Overwhelming feedback

Bigger Scale Projects