Human rights in Monaco

The country supports freedom of expression of its citizens, a right that is protected by the Constitution. Government authorities generally respect this right. However, the Monegasque Penal Code prohibits, inter alia, any public criticism of the ruling family.{{cite book |last1=Combs |first1=Barbara |title=From Selma to Montgomery : the long march to freedom |date=2014 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=9780203081440|url=https://sydney.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/fulldisplaydocid=alma991001085049705106&context=L&vid=61USYD_INST:sydney&lang=en&search_scope=MyInst_and_CI&adaptor=Local%20Search%20Engine&tab=Everything&query=any,contains,From%20Selma%20to%20Montgomery&offset=0}}{{cite book |last1=Wong |first1=Edmund |title=Post-Punk Perception: Living in the Social Milieu |publisher=Xlibris Corporation |isbn=9781483672748|date=2013-07-27 }}

File:Monaco BW 2011-06-07 16-07-20.jpg

{{See also|Religion in Monaco}}

Roman Catholicism is the official religion of the state, with about 95% of Monegasques following the faith. Monaco is part of the Diocese of Gibraltar. The law allows full freedom of religion.{{cite book |last1=Lansford |first1=Tom |title=Political Handbook of the World 2015 |date=2015 |publisher=CQ Press |location=New York |isbn=978-1483371573}} The state has one cathedral, a synagogue, and five Catholic churches.{{cite book |last1=Juergensmeyer|first1=Mark |last2=Roof |first2=Wade Clark |title=Encyclopedia of Global Religion |date=2012 |publisher=Thousand Oaks, Calif. : SAGE |isbn=9781412997898}}

For the most part, residents of Monaco can move freely within the small area comprising the country.{{cite book |last1=Francesco |first1=Cherubini |title=Asylum law in the European Union |date=2015 |publisher=Routledge |location=London, New York |isbn=9781315814421 |url=https://sydney.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/fulldisplay?docid=alma991031469029705106&context=L&vid=61USYD_INST:sydney&lang=en&search_scope=MyInst_and_CI&adaptor=Local%20Search%20Engine&tab=Everything&query=any,contains,Asylum%20law%20in%20the%20European%20Union.%20.&offset=0}} Certain regulations concern the right of Monegasques to work in adjacent countries.{{Cite book|title=Cities in a world economy|last=Sassen|first=Saskia|publisher=SAGE Publications|year=2018|isbn=9781506362618|edition= Fifth|location=Thousand Oaks, California|pages=440|oclc=1021062670}} The Monegasque enjoy special rights relating to repatriation and the acquisition of foreign citizenship.{{cite book |last1=Williams |first1=Yohuru |title=Black power encyclopedia : from "Black is beautiful" to urban uprisings |date=2015 |publisher=Routledge |location=New York |isbn=978-1440840074 |url=https://sydney.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/fulldisplay?docid=alma991016053039705106&context=L&vid=61USYD_INST:sydney&lang=en&search_scope=MyInst_and_CI&adaptor=Local%20Search%20Engine&isFrbr=true&tab=Everything&query=any,contains,Rethinking%20the%20Black%20Freedom%20Movement&sortby=date_d&facet=frbrgroupid,include,9082290123487316726&offset=0}} As an example, while the state can revoke the nationality of a Monegasque for cause, such as naturalization in a foreign country, the prince has the power to restore citizenship after consulting with the Crown Council.{{cite book |last1=Olsen |first1=Espen D.H. |title=Transnational Citizenship in the European Union : Past, Present, and Future. |date=2012 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing |isbn=978-1441116932}}

As to refugees, the government applies the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and the 1967 Protocol.{{cite book |last1=Zimmermann |first1=Andreas |last2=Machts |first2=Felix |last3=Dörsch |first3=Jonas |title=The 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol : a commentary |date=27 January 2011 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=9780199542512 |url=https://sydney.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/fulldisplay?docid=oup_sactrade_9780199542512&context=PC&vid=61USYD_INST:sydney&lang=en&search_scope=MyInst_and_CI&adaptor=Primo%20Central&tab=Everything&query=any,contains,Zimmermann,%20A.,%20Dörschner,%20J.,%20&%20Machts,%20F.%20(2011).%20The%201951%20Convention%20relating%20to%20the%20Status%20of%20Refugees%20and%20its%201967%20Protocol.&offset=0}} Monaco has several arrangements with France regarding political asylum of refugees, subject to French constitutional stipulations.

There are three levels of judicial power in Monaco, which handle both civil lawsuits and criminal law. They include:{{cite book |last1=Christensen |first1= Mikkel|last2=Levi| first2=Ron|title=International Practices of Criminal Justice : Social and legal perspectives |date=2018 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=9781315144788 |edition= First |url=https://sydney.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/fulldisplay?docid=alma991031470590205106&context=L&vid=61USYD_INST:sydney&lang=en&search_scope=MyInst_and_CI&adaptor=Local%20Search%20Engine&tab=Everything&query=any,contains,Social%20and%20Legal%20Perspectives&offset=0}}

• Jurisdiction of First Instance – this jurisdiction is divided into offices of the Justice of the Peace, the Court of First Instance, and various other tribunals.
• Court of Appeal – the court of appeal reviews the judgments of appeal cases. The court of First Instance may also hear appeals, subject to government rules.
• The Court of Revision – this Court works as a secondary platform for deciding cases. It ensures that lower court levels apply the law appropriately. The Court may also decide to approve or quash an appeal, or may remand a case sua sponte for additional investigation.
• The Supreme Court of Monaco has specific jurisdictions. This includes:
• Constitutional matters – the Supreme Court may review cases of annulment, legal compensations cases, and infringements of constitutional rights.
• Administrative affairs – these include review of the actions of administrative authorities, as well as activities that involve annulment.

The Constitution of Monaco protects its citizens from arbitrary arrests or trial, and from detention when a person is not suspected of a crime.{{cite book |last1=Bregman|first1=Alexandra|title=The Bouvier Affair: A True Story |date=2019 |publisher=Alexandra Bregman |isbn=9781733834520 |pages=224}} Basic rights include a requirement that law enforcement authorities bring a person charged with a crime in front of a court of law within 24 hours. Monaco releases a significant portion of its detainees without bail. The investigating magistrate, though, may order the detention of an individual for as many as 120 days, based on investigative factors. Further, Monaco does not force its nationals into exile when suspected of a crime.{{cite book |last1=Clark |first1=Janine |title=International trials and reconciliation : assessing the impact of the international criminal tribunal for the former Yugoslavia |date=2014 |publisher=Abingdon, Oxon;Routledge |isbn=9781317974758 |url=https://sydney.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/fulldisplay?docid=alma991005494829705106&context=L&vid=61USYD_INST:sydney&lang=en&search_scope=MyInst_and_CI&adaptor=Local%20Search%20Engine&tab=Everything&query=Browse:%20International%20trials%20and%20reconciliation%20:%20assessing%20the%20impact%20of%20the%20international%20criminal%20tribunal%20for%20the%20former%20Yugoslavia%20%2F&sortby=author&mode=browse}}

The prison system of Monaco has drawn criticism from various quarters worldwide. Though Monaco endeavors to provide suitable resources for criminals, shortcomings have been alleged regarding the country’s correctional facilities.{{cite book|author1-link=Dominique Moran |last1=Moran |first1=Dominique |last2=Morin |first2=Karen M. |title=Historical geographies of prisons : unlocking the usable carceral past |date=2015 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=9781315724997 |pages=232}} International human rights agencies have criticized Monaco for sending all long-term prisoner citizens to France, as well as the conditions in which prisoners detained more than 24 hours have been held. These include a lack of sufficient outdoor exercise or space for recreation;{{Cite web | url=https://www.cpt.org | title=Christian Peacemaker Teams | Christian Peacemaker Teams}}{{cite book |last1=Stern |first1=Kaia |title=Voices from American Prisons |date=2014 |publisher=Routledge |location=London |isbn=9780203374573 |pages=238 |doi=10.4324/9780203374573 }} a lack of access to sunlight; and insufficient space for prisoners to keep their personal property.

The prison system in Monaco is controlled by independent, non-governmental parties such as CPT,{{cite book |last1=Bennett |first1=Jamie |last2=Jewkes |first2=Yvonne |title=Dictionary of prisons and punishment |date=2008 |publisher=Willan |location=London |isbn=9781843926009 |pages=416 |doi=10.4324/9781843926009 }} which conducts regular appraisals of the prisons in Monaco. From these examinations, relevant prison officials are tasked with maintaining and supporting human rights within the correctional system.{{Cite book|url=https://sydney.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/fulldisplay?docid=alma991012918099705106&context=L&vid=61USYD_INST:sydney&search_scope=MyInst_and_CI&tab=Everything&lang=en|title=Imprisonment worldwide : the current situation and an alternative future|last=Coyle|first=Andrew|last2=Fair|first2=Helen|last3=Jacobson|first3=Jessica|last4=Walmsley|first4=Roy|publisher=Policy Press|year=2016|isbn=9781447331759|pages=170|oclc=944087538}}

The judiciary and Constitution of Monaco address instances of abuse, and provide solutions thereto.{{Cite book|title=Religion and democratization : framing religious and political identities in muslim and catholic societies|last=Driessen, Michael Daniel|date=2014|publisher=Oxford Univ. Press|isbn=9780199329700|oclc=885414567}}{{cite book| last1 = Miller | first1 = Banks| first2 = Keith | last2 = Linda| first3 =Holmes|last3 = Jennifer S.|title = Immigration Judges and U.S. Asylum Policy| location = America|publisher = university of Pennsylvania Press|date = 2015|isbn = 978-0190928247|url=https://sydney.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/fulldisplay?docid=alma991015712539705106&context=L&vid=61USYD_INST:sydney&lang=en&search_scope=MyInst_and_CI&adaptor=Local%20Search%20Engine&tab=Everything&query=any,contains,Immigration%20Judges%20and%20U.S.%20Asylum%20Policy.&offset=0}} The constitution also grants certain rights to the 5,000 residents classified as Monegasque nationals: free education, financial help for those in need, and the right to elect officials and hold positions of national office.{{Cite book|title=The Court and Reign of Francis the First, King of France|last=Pardoe|first=Julia|date=2014|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=9781107450080|location=Cambridge|doi = 10.1017/cbo9781107450080}}

Monaco's government generally supports children's rights and welfare. Health care programs for the young are plentiful.{{Citation needed|date=June 2019}}

Demographic studies conducted in 2010 showed that the mortality rate for children under five years had fallen below 4%. Furthermore, 97% of children have access to resources such as clean drinking water. Children also receive sufficient vaccination against diseases. Abortion, legalized in Monaco in 2009, is restricted to cases involving severe health problems.{{Cite book|title=The Grimaldis of Monaco|last=Edwards|first=Anne|publisher=Globe Pequot Press.|year=2017|isbn=9781493029228|location=Guilford, Connecticut|pages=368|oclc=1022117471}}{{Cite book|title=World monarchies and dynasties|last=Middleton|first=John.|publisher=Routledge|year=2015|isbn=978-0765680501|location=Armonk, NY|pages=1067|oclc=681311754}}

The state has universal, mandatory public education for children. Reports from UNICEF state that the educational system needs to further respect human rights, as well as comply with the convention against discrimination in schools.{{Cite web|url=https://www.humanium.org/en/monaco/|title=Children of Monaco|website=Humanium|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-05-22}} The United Nations has made several recommendations for Monaco regarding legislation that further protects the rights of children.

Monaco actively promotes the right of children to not be enlisted in the military.{{Cite book|title=Western Europe 2012|last=Thompson, Wayne C., 1943-|date=2012|publisher=Stryker Post Publications|isbn=9781610488976|edition=31st|location=Lanham, MD|oclc=777602386|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781610488976}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Monaco topics}}

{{Human rights in Europe}}

{{Human rights}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Human Rights In Monaco}}

Monaco

Monegasque society

Category:Law of Monaco