Monaco

Monaco is a small principality that borders France and is a popular vacation spot. The main attractions in the country are its pleasant climate and its casino. The country completed an extensive construction project in 2001, which was designed to extend the pier used by cruise ships in the main harbor. Generally, tourism is the main source of income for the small nation. According to the World Factbook, “the state has no income tax and low business taxes and thrives as a haven both for individuals who have established residence and for foreign companies that have set up businesses and offices.”

In Monaco, living standards are very high and comparable to those of prosperous metropolitan regions of France. The 2006 estimate for per capita GDP hovers around $30,000 and, as of 2005, Monaco had a 0% unemployment rate.

A 2005 report filed by the U.S. State Department regarding human rights in Monaco indicates that the country faces three main issues regarding human rights in the country. The first is the restrictions on the ability and the right of citizens to change their government. The Prince of Monaco remains an integral part of the daily functioning of the nation’s government. Most top-level officials are responsible directly to the Prince. The constitution cannot be suspended and can only be revised with the agreement of the Prince. In addition, the report states that “the authority to change the government and to initiate laws rests with the Prince.”

The second issue deals with the limits on freedom of speech in Monaco. Although the media is considered free and generally covers a wide range of issues and expresses opinions ranging across the political spectrum, the law prohibits the public denouncement of the royal family. The media tends to respect this law, but some are concerned about the extent to which body of media can be truly free and independent with such restrictions placed on it.

The final human rights concern in Monaco is the legal rights of women in the country. Women are generally well represented in professions, though not as well in business as in others. Sexual harassment, rape, and other forms of violence against women are all prohibited by law and are rare. Though there were no reports of trafficked persons in Monaco in recent years, such activity is not illegal. In addition, women who acquire citizenship in Monaco by naturalization cannot transmit it to their children as male citizens can.

On the whole, Monaco is relatively free of human rights abuses and has had very few reported issues regarding human rights. The country has yet to accept, however, compulsory International Court of Justice jurisdiction.

Monaco does not generally publish information regarding HIVAIDS, nor does the UN have any on Monaco. The Encyclopedia of Nations has statistics that indicate that, 1in 1996, 37 AIDS cases were reported in Monaco. For Western Europe in general, the incidence of HIV may be on the rise as a result of increased levels of injected drug use and unprotected sexual intercourse.

Overall, Monaco maintains standards of health typical of such a wealthy country. 100% of the population uses adequate sanitation facilities and improved drinking water and 99% of all one-year-old children are immunized against diseases such as TB, Polio, and Measles. The life expectancy of citizens at birth is 78 years for men and 85 years for women, similar to figures for other industrialized nations. Major causes of death in Monaco include heart diseases and cancer.

Monaco is the second smallest independent nation in the world and is also almost entirely urban. Generally, the environmental circumstances in the country are very good. UN reports show that the nation has been active in monitoring pollution levels in both the water and the air in an effort to ensure the safety of its citizens. The government of Monaco has created a system of air pollution control facilities under the Environmental Service. In addition, citizens are encouraged to avail themselves of the country’s public transportation system to lower the level of gas emissions.

Monaco is party to numerous environmental protection treaties including the Kyoto Protocol, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, and Air Pollution. The country has an environment typical of a Mediterranean country and has no current natural hazards or environmental issues.

Monaco law stipulates that all children attend school from age six to age sixteen. In addition, schooling is offered from the preschool to the secondary and technical levels. School attendance hovers around 90% and nearly the entire population is literate. The education system is very similar to that of neighboring France. Sources indicate that the Catholic Church exerts considerable influence over education in the country and is generally responsible for primary education.

The International University of Monaco was recently recognized by the Economist Intelligence Unit for having one of the 100 best full-time MBA programs in the world. However, most students leave Monaco to attend university in France, then return to work in Monaco following graduation.

AMREF - AMREF-Monaco, the Monegasque branch of AMREF (African Medical and Research Foundation), a non-governmental organization based in Nairobi, Kenya, was founded in 2001 in order to support the AMREF program. Land operations, in association the program moving doctors by airplane “The Flying Doctors Service,” are intended to come to the aid of vulnerable urban and rural populations that lack medical services, proper hygiene, and food. In addition, the AMREF programs offer concrete responses to African issues by establishing development programs intended to serve communities over an extended period of time.

Foundation of Prince Albert II of Monaco - The mission of this foundation is to accelerate environmental protection programs and also to find better solutions to environmental problems throughout the world.

Monaco Aid and Presence - This organization provides humanitarian aid operations across the world with its main focus on assistance to children.

Monaco Charity Film Festival - The Monaco Charity Film Festival is a yearly charity event organized by the Pentium Fund Foundation. The focus of the festival is to raise money to help young, impoverished, and abandoned children with their education, medical needs, and housing. The Monaco Charity Film Festival is also organized to help new and emerging filmmakers by giving them a venue to show their films.

The Monaco Red Cross - Ever since it was created on March 3, 1948, the Monaco Red Cross has strived to adapt its structures to the humanitarian needs of the moment and to future possible mishaps; it has always aimed at preventing and alleviating sufferings. Beside everyday activities, numerous special actions are carried out to help people in need. These programs include providing payments of long term medical treatments, surgery operations, scholarships, and aid to the disabled.

Princess Grace Foundation - The Princess Grace Foundation was founded in 1964 by H.S.H. Princess Grace with a philanthropic, cultural, and charitable aim. The Princess Grace Foundation plays a significant role in the sphere of education and training for the arts. The Foundation supports the Princess Grace Academy of Classical Dance and The Boutiques du Rocher. In addition, the Foundation supports four medical laboratories specializing in childhood diseases and various cultural endeavors in Monaco.

World Association of Children’s Friends - A non-profit-child-advocacy NGO, the World Association of Children’s Friends (AMADE in French) was founded in 1963 by H.S.H. Princess Grace of Monaco to seek the promotion and protection of children’s rights on an international level. The association was set up with the aim to develop and support humanitarian aid programs, and foster ethical and legal reflection in the area of the rights of the child.

Information Currently Unavailable