U.S. Mission to International
Organizations in Geneva

U.S. Statement at the Universal Periodic Review of Monaco

31st Session
Geneva, November 12, 2018

as delivered by Anna Palladino

The United States warmly welcomes the Monegasque delegation to the UPR Working Group.

The United States acknowledges that Monaco’s size affects its capacity to accept refugees and commends Monaco’s support for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.  However, Monaco’s law does not provide for formal asylum or refugee status.

Additionally, we note with concern that the law criminalizes denunciations of the ruling family.

We recommend that Monaco:

1. Consider adopting a procedure for granting asylum or refugee status while continuing its support for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees’ work in protecting refugees;
2. Consider allowing Monaco’s High Commissioner for the Protection of Rights, Liberties and for Mediation to initiate investigations into civil liberties violations;
3. Consider revising restrictions on freedom of expression and decriminalization of speech critical of the ruling family.