San Marino’s Human Rights Record Under Scrutiny

A recent report has raised concerns about the state of human rights in San Marino, a small republic nestled in the Apennine Mountains between Italy and Vatican City. The report highlights several areas where improvements are needed to ensure the protection of fundamental rights.

Judicial Sector Transparency and Accountability

One of the main criticisms is the lack of transparency and accountability within the country’s judicial sector. The report calls for greater oversight and reforms to prevent political interference in the judiciary. This concern was echoed by the Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights, who urged the Sammarinese government to safeguard the independence of the judiciary.

• The restructuring of the judicial council has increased the representation of political figures rather than judges.
• This move has raised questions about the maintenance of due process in high-profile cases.

Due Process

The score on due process has also declined, from 4 to 3. This decline is attributed to the changes in the judicial council’s composition, which have compromised the impartiality of the judiciary.

Physical Security

San Marino enjoys a low crime rate and a small prison population. Law enforcement officers generally operate professionally, and there are no reports of serious mistreatment of inmates.

• The country has a low crime rate.
• Prison conditions are considered humane.

Discrimination

However, discrimination remains an issue in San Marino. While same-sex couples can enter into civil unions, same-sex marriage is not recognized. The country also lacks legislation guaranteeing equality and freedom from employment or other discrimination for LGBT+ individuals. Women face societal prejudices that affect their access to employment and economic opportunities.

• Same-sex couples are not allowed to adopt children together.
• Abortion is only allowed if the woman’s life is in danger.
• There is no legislation protecting against discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression.
• Women face barriers to employment and economic opportunities due to societal prejudices.

Personal Autonomy and Individual Rights

San Marino scores well in many areas of personal autonomy and individual rights. Individuals enjoy freedom of movement, the right to own property, and the ability to establish private businesses without undue interference. However, same-sex couples do not have the same rights as opposite-sex couples when it comes to adoption and family planning.

• Same-sex couples are not allowed to adopt children together.
• Abortion is only allowed if the woman’s life is in danger.

Conclusion

While San Marino has made progress in some areas, there are still significant challenges that need to be addressed to ensure the protection of human rights for all individuals. The government must prioritize reforms to improve transparency and accountability within the judicial sector, address discrimination, and protect individual rights.