This update covers developments relating to the freedoms of expression, association and peaceful assembly in Andorra from 1st November 2023 to 31st October 2024.
GENERAL
Council of Europe calls on Andorra to address racism and LGBTI-phobia
On 21st October 2024, the Commission against Racism and Intolerance of the Council of Europe (ECRI) published a report pointing to some concerns regarding racism and LGBTI-phobia in Andorra. The ECRI urged Andorra to launch a comprehensive programme against racism and LGBTI-phobia, as well as allow foreigners residing in their territory to vote in local elections.
Room for improvement regarding prevention of corruption
In a June 2024 report, the Council of Europe’s Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) called on Andorra to pursue its efforts to prevent corruption in respect of persons with top executive functions. The report points to the absence of rules requiring integrity checks prior to appointments of ministers and all other persons with top executive functions, as well as a mechanism of supervision and sanction for the Code of Conduct for members of the government and high-level officials adopted in November 2023.
The report also underlines the need to increase public awareness of the right of access to information and to regulate lobbying.
EXPRESSION
UN women’s rights committee #CEDAW welcomes the acquittal of Andorran pro-choice activist Vanessa Mendoza Cortés after she faced criminal proceedings for 4 years following her cooperation with #CEDAW in 2019.
— UN Treaty Bodies (@UNTreatyBodies) January 19, 2024
Acquittal of activist prosecuted for speaking out about Andorra’s abortion ban
On 17th January 2024, an Andorra court acquitted human rights defender Vanessa Mendoza Cortés. On 4th December 2023, she was tried for allegedly violating the prestige of state institutions (see previous update). The case hinged on comments Mendoza Cortés made in 2019, in which she voiced concern over the country’s ban on abortions at a UN committee. The prosecutor requested the court impose a fine of 6,000 euros, an additional 6,000 euros in civil damages and a six month ban from holding public office. According to the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Dunja Mijatović, these criminal proceedings “have a chilling effect on the work of human rights defenders, as well as on others who stand up for the rights of women and girls in Andorra.”
Vanessa Mendoza Cortés has paid a high price, enduring an unjust and protracted judicial process lasting more than four years
- Joint public statement with the Centre for Reproductive Rights, Women’s Link Worldwide and Front Line Defender
Small and concentrated economic powers hinder media freedom
In May 2024, the yearly Reporters Without Borders report downgraded Andorra from the 37th position to the 72nd position, a sharp drop. According to RSF, this was due to the small size of the market, jeopardising “information pluralism and high-quality journalism”. RSF also notes the “virtually unceasing pressure from the politically and economically powerful. Private media are controlled by bankers and business people with strong, vested interests”.