U.S. Statement at the UPR of Monaco
Universal Periodic Review (UPR) – 17th Session
Intervention for Monaco
As delivered by Aleks Needham
UN Human Rights Council
Geneva,
October 28, 2013
The United States warmly welcomes H.E Mr. Jose Badia and the Monegasque delegation to the UPR Working Group.
We commend Monaco’s exemplary human rights record and longstanding commitment to the promotion of human rights internationally. We applaud Monaco’s contributions to helping achieve the UN Millennium Development Goals, its support for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and its other foreign aid and development assistance.
We observe that in order to strengthen this record even more, Monegasque authorities cooperated with Venice Commission legal experts this year as the Commission formulated an Opinion on Monaco’s constitution, related to democratic definitions and standards.
We recommend that Monaco:
1. Consider enacting Venice Commission recommendations to bring some of its laws formally in line with its already democratic practices;
2. Consider ways to further ensure the independence of the judiciary, such as vesting the High Council of Judges and Prosecutors in the Constitution;
3. Consider adopting and implementing law on the independent functioning and organization of the National Council in order to reflect changes already made to the Constitution in 2002.
Thank you Mr. President.