U.S. Department of State Country Report on Human Rights Practices 1994 - Monaco

    Monaco is a constitutional monarchy in which the sovereign Prince plays a leading role in governing the country. The Prince appoints the four-member Government, headed by a Minister of State chosen by the Prince from a list of candidates proposed by France. The other three members are Counselors for the Interior (who is usually French), for Public Works and Social Affairs, and for Finance and the Economy. Each is responsible to the Prince. Legislative power is shared between the Prince and the popularly elected 18-member National Council. There are in addition three consultative bodies, whose members are appointed by the Prince: the 7-member Crown Council; 12-member Council of State; and 30-member Economic Council, which includes representatives of employers and the trade unions. In addition to the national police force, the "Carabiniers du Prince" carry out security functions. Both forces are controlled by government officials. The principal economic activities in Monaco are services and banking, light manufacturing, and tourism. Individual human rights are provided for in the Constitution and respected in practice. The Constitution distinguishes between those rights that are guaranteed for all residents and those that apply only to the 5,000 who hold Monegasque nationality. The latter enjoy free education, financial assistance in case of unemployment or illness, and the right to vote and hold elective office. Women traditionally have played a less active role than men in public life, but this is changing; women currently hold both elective and appointive offices.

RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

Section 1 Respect for the Integrity of the Person, Including Freedom from:

a. Political and Other Extrajudicial Killing

There were no reports of political or other extrajudicial killing.

b. Disappearance

There were no reports of disappearances.

c. Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment

The Constitution prohibits such practices. The authorities respect this prohibition. There were no reports of violations.

d. Arbitrary Arrest, Detention, or Exile

The Constitution bars arbitrary arrest. Arrest warrants are required, except when the detainee is arrested while committing an offense. The police must bring the detainee before a judge within 24 hours to be informed of the charges and of detainees' rights under the law. Most detainees are released without bail, but the investigating magistrate may order detention on grounds that the suspect might either flee or tamper with the investigation of the case. The magistrate may extend the initial 2-month detention for additional 2-month periods, indefinitely. Detainees have the right to counsel, at public expense if necessary. They have ready access to attorneys. The magistrate may permit family members to see the detainee.

e. Denial of Fair Public Trial

Under the 1962 Constitution, the Prince delegated his judicial powers to an independent judiciary. The law provides for fair, public trial, and the authorities respect these provisions. The defendant has the right to be present and the right to counsel, at public expense if necessary. As under French law, a three-judge tribunal considers the evidence amassed by the investigating magistrate and hears the arguments presented by the prosecuting and defense attorneys. The defendant enjoys a presumption of innocence and the right of appeal.

f. Arbitrary Interference with Privacy, Family, Home, or Correspondence

The individual's right of privacy in personal and family life, at home, and in correspondence is guaranteed by the Constitution and respected in practice.

Section 2 Respect for Civil Liberties, Including:

a. Freedom of Speech and the Press

Freedom of expression is guaranteed. The Monegasque Penal Code, however, prohibits public denunciations of the ruling family. Several local periodicals are published in Monaco. Foreign newspapers and magazines circulate freely, including French ones that specifically cover news in the Principality. Foreign radio and television are received without restriction. Stations that broadcast from the Principality operate in accordance with French and Italian regulations. Academic freedom is respected.

b. Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and Association

The Constitution gives Monegasque nationals the rights of peaceful assembly and association. Outdoor meetings require police authorization, which is not withheld for political or arbitrary reasons. Formal associations must be registered and authorized by the Government.

c. Freedom of Religion

Roman Catholicism is the state religion. Free practice of all religions is guaranteed in law and respected in fact.

d. Freedom of Movement Within the Country, Foreign Travel, Emigration, and Repatriation

Residents of Monaco move freely within the country and across its open borders with France. Monegasque nationals enjoy the rights of emigration and repatriation. They can be deprived of their nationality only for specified acts, including naturalization in a foreign state. Only the Prince can grant or restore Monegasque nationality, but he is obliged by the Constitution to consult the Crown Council on each case before deciding.

Section 3 Respect for Political Rights: The Right of Citizens to Change Their Government

The 1962 Constitution cannot be suspended, but it can be revised by common agreement between the Prince and the National Council. The Prince plays an active role in government. He names the Minister of State (in effect, the Prime Minister) from a list of names proposed by the French Government. He names as well the three Counselors of Government (of whom the one responsible for the interior is usually a French national). Together the four compose the Government. Each is responsible to the Prince. Only the Prince may initiate legislation, although the 18-member National Council may send proposals for legislation to the Government. All legislation and the adoption of the budget require the Council's assent. Elections, which are held every 5 years, are based on universal adult suffrage and secret balloting. Two political parties are currently represented on the Council. There is one independent member. The Constitution provides for three consultative bodies. The seven-member Crown Council (composed exclusively of Monegasque nationals) must be consulted by the Prince regarding certain questions of national importance. He may choose to consult it on other matters as well. The 12-member Council of State advises the Prince on proposed legislation and regulations. The 30-member Economic Council advises the Government on social, financial, and economic questions. One-third of its members come from lists proposed by the trade union movement, and one-third from lists proposed by the employers' federation. Women are active in public service. The Mayor of Monaco and one member of the National Council are women.

Section 4 Governmental Attitude Regarding International and Nongovernmental Investigation of Alleged Violations of Human Rights

While the Government imposes no impediments to establishment or operation of local groups devoted to monitoring human rights, there are none. There have been no requests from outside groups to investigate human rights conditions in Monaco.

Section 5 Discrimination Based on Race, Sex, Religion, Disability, Language, or Social Status

The Constitution provides that all Monegasque nationals are equal before the law. It differentiates between rights that are accorded nationals (including preference in employment, free education, and assistance to the ill or unemployed) and those guaranteed to all residents (e.g., freedom of religion, inviolability of the home).

Women

Women are fairly well represented in the professions; e.g., they constitute 6 of Monaco's 18 lawyers (including a former president of the bar), 5 of 42 physicians, and 8 of 26 dentists. Women are less well represented in the business world. The law governing transmission of citizenship provides for equality of treatment between men and women who are Monegasque by birth. However, women who acquire Monegasque nationality by naturalization cannot transmit it to their children, whereas naturalized male citizens can. Reported instances of violence against women are rare. Marital violence is strictly prohibited, and any woman who is a victim of it may bring criminal charges against her husband.

Children

There is no particular pattern of abuse of children.

People with Disabilities

The Government has mandated that public buildings provide for access for the disabled, and this has been largely accomplished.

Section 6 Worker Rights

a. The Right of Association

Workers have been free to form unions since the end of World War II. Fewer than 10 percent of workers belong to unions, and relatively few of these reside in the Principality. Unions are independent of both the Government and the Monegasque political parties. The Monegasque Confederation of Unions is not affiliated with any larger labor organization. The Constitution specifies that workers enjoy the right to strike in conformity with relevant legislation. Government workers, however, may not strike. No strikes of major consequence occurred in 1994.

b. The Right to Organize and Bargain Collectively

The law provides for the free exercise of union activity. Workers are guaranteed by law the same wages as are received by comparable workers in the neighboring area of France plus 5 percent. They are free to negotiate higher wages with their employers if they can. Agreements on working conditions are negotiated between organizations representing employers in a given sector of the economy and the respective union. Antiunion discrimination is prohibited. Union representatives can be fired only with the agreement of a commission that includes two members from the employers' association and two from the labor movement. Allegations that an employee has been fired for union activity may be brought before the Labor Court, which can order redress such as the payment of damages with interest.

c. Prohibition of Forced or Compulsory Labor

Such practices are outlawed and do not occur.

d. Minimum Age for Employment of Children

The minimum age for employment is 16 years. Special restrictions apply to the hiring, work-times, and other conditions of workers aged 16 to 18.

e. Acceptable Conditions of Work

The legal minimum wage for full-time work is $1,202 (6,309 French francs) per month, which corresponds to the French minimum plus 5 percent. Most workers receive more than the minimum. The legal workweek is 39 hours. Health and safety standards are fixed by law and government decree. These standards are enforced by health and safety committees in the workplace and by the government Labor Inspector. Corrected 1/31/95