An opposition alliance aimed at toppling the ruling Labour Party in the scheduled December 2000 general elections began to form in 1998. Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam has suggested revamping the country s election laws to provide proportional representation. The generally independent judiciary is headed by a supreme court. The legal system is an amalgam of French and British traditions. Civil rights are generally well respected, although cases of police brutality have been reported.
Freedom of religion is respected.
There are no known political prisoners or reports of political or extrajudicial killings. The new Public Security Bill has caused concern among members of the opposition and the All Workers Conference, a leading trade union. Seven of its members were arrested in December 1999 for gathering illegally as they protested the bill, which they charge will enable the government to imprison its opponents. The bill has harsh penalties for anyone considered to be disturbing public order. Its opponents say passing the bill is tantamount to creating a permanent state of emergency and undermines fundamental human rights.