The remote and isolated islands of Agalega and St. Brandon are an exception to universal suffrage. Their nearly 500 citizens are not registered as voters and have no representation in Parliament. Political parties often match the ethnicity of their candidates to the ethnic composition of particular electoral districts. Six of the 66 members of the Assembly are women. Section 4 Governmental Attitude Regarding International and Nongovernmental Investigation of Alleged Violations of Human Rights A variety of 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 Constitution specifically prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, caste, place of origin, political opinion, color, creed, or sex. The Government generally respects these provisions. Women Violence against women, particularly spousal abuse, is widespread and increasing, according to the Ministry of Women's Rights and Family Welfare, attorneys, and nongovernmental organizations. In March the National Council of Women reported a 43 percent increase in registered cases of domestic violence in 1994 over 1993. To address this issue, the Ministry requested consultative assistance from the United Nation's Children's Fund.