Freedom in the World 2001 - Andorra

2001 Scores

Status: Free
Freedom Rating: 1.0
Civil Liberties: 1
Political Rights: 1

Overview

After being ruled jointly since 1278 by the French state and the Spanish bishops of Seo de Urgel, Andorra acquired independence and adopted its first constitution in 1993. The constitution defines Andorra as a "parliamentary co-principality" in which the president of France and the bishop of Seo de Urgel serve as co-princes, heads of state with limited and largely symbolic power. Sovereignty rests with Andorra's citizens.

Politics is dominated by five major parties. Four of them governed in coalition until early 1997, when the Liberal Union party won 18 of the 28 Consell General (parliament) seats. Marc Forne Molne of the Liberal Union currently serves as head of the cabinet of ministers.

Andorra has no national currency, but circulates Spanish pesetas and French francs. By virtue of its association with Spain and France, it has also adopted the euro despite not being a member of the European Monetary Union. In 1991, Andorra established a customs union with the European Union (EU) that permits free movement of industrial goods. Andorra became a member of the United Nations in 1993 and a member of the Council of Europe in 1994.

With the creation of the EU internal market, Andorra has lost its privileged duty-free status and is recovering from an economic recession. Tourism, the mainstay of Andorra's economy, accounts for about 80 percent of gross domestic product. Because of banking secrecy laws and Andorra's tax haven status, the financial services sector is of growing importance to the economy.

Political Rights and Civil Liberties

Andorrans can change their government democratically. Elections were held in 1997 to choose members of the Consell General, which selects the head of government. Popular elections to the 28-member Consell are held every four years, with 14 members chosen by the national constituency and 14 chosen to represent the seven parishes, or administrative divisions.

The judiciary is independent and efficient, and citizens enjoy full due process rights, including the right to free counsel for the indigent. Freedom of speech and the press is guaranteed in law and in practice. The domestic press consists of two daily and several weekly newspapers. Andorra has two radio stations, one state-owned and one privately owned, and six television stations. Several French and Spanish stations can be accessed in Andorra.

There are no limitations on domestic or foreign travel, emigration, or repatriation. Andorra does not expel persons with valid claims to refugee status and cooperates with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and other humanitarian organizations in assisting refugees.

Women enjoy the same legal, political, social, and professional rights as men, although they are underrepresented in government. Of 11 government ministers, only 2 are women, and there is only one female member of the Consell. The Association of Andorran Women actively promotes women's issues through education and outreach. It has reported that many women have been dismissed from employment because of pregnancy.

Workers may form trade unions, bargain collectively, and strike. A police trade union was registered during 1999. It is the first such association to exist in Andorra.