Citizens regularly vote on initiatives and referenda. Since women gained the right to vote, a growing number have been active in politics. One woman, the Foreign Minister, is among the five members of the Cabinet, and one is a member of Parliament. Women serve on the executive committees of the major parties. Section 4 Governmental Attitude Regarding International and Nongovernmental Investigation of Alleged Violations of Human Rights International and domestic human rights groups operate without government restriction, investigating and publishing their findings on human rights cases.
Government officials are cooperative and responsive to their views.
The sole local human rights organization, Justitia Et Pax, is an informal group of about 10 persons who monitor prison conditions and assist foreign workers with immigration matters. The law prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, language, or social status, and the authorities respect these provisions. The law also prohibits public incitement to violence or public agitation or insult directed against a race, people, ethnic group, or state. The law prohibits all forms of domestic violence, and the Government vigorously enforces the law. There is one shelter, which provided refuge for 14 abused women in the first half of 1997, only 4 of whom were citizens.