23/02/2011 Monitoring
“In spite of some progress, reforms in many areas are still outstanding,” said Anne Brasseur (Luxembourg, ALDE) following her post-monitoring visit to the Principality of Monaco on 21 and 22 February 2011. “I was pleased to note the major progress made in the areas of justice and of combating money-laundering. However, the reform of the judiciary and the revision of the Penal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure still have to follow. The law on the operation of the National Council and its rules of procedure in accordance with the provisions of the 2002 Constitution need to be adopted as quickly as possible, as that is a vital reform for strengthening the National Council and enabling it to play its role to the full,” added Ms Brasseur.
“I welcome the government’s declared intention to ratify the Council of Europe Convention on Cybercrime in the near future. The ratification of Protocols Nos. 1 and 12 to the European Convention on Human Rights and of the Revised Social Charter seems to be posing problems, however. I urge the Monegasque authorities to draw on the Council of Europe’s expertise to find suitable solutions which take account both of the specific features of Monaco and of compliance with its obligations and commitments as a constitutional monarchy which has been a member of the Council of Europe since 2004. I strongly urge the National Council to be involved in ratification of these conventions, in accordance with Article 14 of the Constitution,” said the rapporteur.
During her visit, Ms Brasseur met the Head of State HSH Prince Albert II, the President of the National Council Jean-François Robillon, the Minister of State HE Michel Roger, and the members of the government, representatives of political parties with seats in the National Council, the Monaco delegation to PACE and representatives of the local and judicial authorities, civil society and the trade unions, as well as a number of socio-economic and financial bodies.