The Principality of Monaco is a constitutional monarchy in which the sovereign prince plays the leading governmental role. The prince appoints the government consisting of a minister of state and five ministers. The prince shares the country’s legislative power with the popularly elected National Council. Multi-party elections for the National Council in 2012 were considered free and fair. Authorities maintained effective control over the security forces.
The electoral system allows citizens to change many aspects of their government, but they cannot change the hereditary monarchy, which plays a substantial role in governing the country. The country’s detention center lacked hot meals and an exercise area, and authorities had in service three small “box” cells 10 square feet in size. Prisoners also lacked sunlight for most of the day.
The government punished officials who committed abuses.