Suffrage is universal for adults over age 20, and balloting is secret. Political parties operate freely. Citizens regularly vote on initiatives and referenda. Women are underrepresented in politics and government, although since gaining the right to vote in 1984, a growing number have been active in politics. A woman, the Foreign Minister, is one of the five members of the Cabinet, and another is a Member of Parliament.
Women serve on the executive committees of the major parties.
In June women's organizations, political parties, and the Government's Bureau for the Promotion of Equal Rights for Women and Men held a convention to promote the greater participation by women in politics. 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, sex, language, or social status, and the authorities respect these provisions.