28/03/2012 Monitoring
On her return from her visit to Monaco for the purposes of the preparation of a report on post-monitoring dialogue (26-27 March 2012), Anne Brasseur (Luxembourg, ALDE) welcomed the efforts made by the Principality to combat money laundering and corruption. "The co-operation established with the Council of Europe in this field should encourage the Monegasque authorities to examine the scope for ratifying the revised European Social Charter and Protocols 1 and 12 to the European Convention on Human Rights – which are among the commitments entered into by Monaco when it joined the Council of Europe in 2004. Monaco can rely on the expertise of the Council of Europe, which will be able to take account of the specific character of Monaco, the only member State whose citizens are a minority in their own country".
The rapporteur also welcomed the announcement by Minister of State H.E. Mr Michel Roger that he would approach the Council of Europe to examine the obstacles to ratification of the revised European Social Charter. "I welcome this spirit of openness and I hope that these consultations will culminate in positive and tangible results, binding the Principality of Monaco even more closely to the Council of Europe," added Ms Brasseur, who pointed to the vital role played by Monaco in the promotion of children's rights in Europe.
She also called on members of the government and elected representatives to find the consensus needed to enable the National Council to adopt during 2012 some particularly keenly awaited legislation, such as reform of police custody, the organisation of the courts, the funding of election campaigns and a law on the organisation and functioning of parliament. "Ten years after the Constitution was revised, giving additional responsibilities to the National Council, that Council must have efficient working instruments which will make it easier for elected representatives to make progress on societal issues through a search for consensus, which underpins the political life of the Principality," she added.