The Union of Comoros is an emerging democracy ruled by a President who took power in a coup in 1999. He was then elected in 2002 in an election on the basis of universal suffrage that was deemed free and fair. Three islands, Grande Comore, Anjouan and Moheli, make up the country, which also claims Mayotte, an island currently governed by France. Several political parties exist, and each of the three islands has an elected Assembly. The National Assembly has 33 members, of whom 18 are elected and 15 appointed by the island assemblies.

There is 1 woman in the National Assembly. The power-sharing structure between the island governments and the Union has not been fully established. Village chiefs and religious leaders no longer dominate local politics.

Discrimination on the basis of race, sex, disability, language or social status is prohibited but exists.

The judiciary is independent; magistrates are appointed by the head of state. The legal system incorporates Islamic law as well as French legal codes. Laws are based on the Islamic tradition, but Islam is not the official religion. The majority of the population are Sunni Muslim. Some members of the security forces are accused of human rights abuses.

Freedom of speech and of the press are guaranteed and generally respected. Broadcasts from Mayotte Radio and from French television are received without interference. Internet access is not restricted. Public access to government is not provided in legislation.

The market economy is primarily subsistence farming. The country is dependent on remittances and foreign assistance. On the island of Anjouan a ban is sporadically enforced on dress that does not conform to traditional Comorian dress.

Education is compulsory for ages 6 to 13, but this provision is not enforced. Priority is given to boys in education. Women do not make up the majority of the work force in education at any level.

A 3-year programme begins at age 3. Private provision accounts for all ECE. 51% of students are girls. The Gross Enrolment Rate (GER) for this level is 3%. 483 teachers (5% female) work at this level. The pupil/ teacher ratio (PTR) is 5 : 1.

Education is compulsory for ages 6 to 13. Primary education begins at age 6 and lasts for 6 years. 10% of primary education is private. The NER is 55% (46% of girls). Of children enrolled in primary school, 63% enter the final grade level. 2,967 teachers (33% female) work at this level, with a PTR of 35 : 1.

Secondary education begins at age 12 and continues for 7 years (though compulsory education ends at age 13). At this level, 43% of students are girls. 1% of students are enrolled in technical education programmes. The GER is 35% (40% of boys, 30% of girls). 16% of children repeat grades. Of the 3,111 teachers working in secondary schools, 13% are women. 51% of teachers are trained. The PTR is 16 : 1 in lower secondary and 11 : 1 in upper secondary school.

1,779 students study in tertiary institutions, giving a GER of 2%. 2,543 students study abroad, mainly in Madagascar (1,099), France (1,077), Morocco (246), Saudi Arabia (38) and USA (22).

Reports indicate there is little discrimination against persons with disabilities in education or in the provision of other state services. Little other information is available.

The Constitution does not provide for the granting of asylum or refugee status in accordance with the 1951 U.N. Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees or its 1967 Protocol, and the government has not established a system for providing protection to refugees.

The majority of the population are of African-Arab origins, and over 90% of the population are Sunni Muslims. The Mayotte are Roman Catholics who have adopted French culture. Malagasy, Indian, Creole-speaking Reunionnaise and Chinese minorities make up the balance of the population. The official language, Comorian, is a blend of Swahili and Arabic. Arabic is the second language in the country, but French is the language of formal education. Latin and Arabic scripts are used in schools. The tenets of Islam are taught in schools, and no provision is made for minority religious education.

Reports do not indicate any restriction of academic freedom.

A matriarchal tradition provides women with rights in terms of landholding, but men retain the dominant role in society. Discrimination against women is evident in rural areas, where farming and childrearing duties combine with fewer opportunities for education and wage employment for women. Urban women are joining the labour force and earn wages comparable to men. Few women hold positions of responsibility in business.

The Labour Code defines the minimum age for employment as 15. Lack of wage employment opportunities limits child labour, but children work for their families in subsistence farming and fishing. Some families send their children to live with others, where they work long hours in exchange for food or shelter.

Workers have the right to form and join trade unions. 80% of the population is engaged in farming on small land holdings, subsistence fishing and in small commerce. The wage labour force is less than 7,000, including government employees. Teachers, civil servants, taxi drivers and dockworkers are unionised. Unions have the right to bargain collectively, but wages in the public sector are set by the government. Workers have the right to strike. Forced or compulsory labour is prohibited, but reports indicate such practices occur.

Low-level government workers were not paid for a period of four months in 2005, and salary arrears are still owed. Teachers went on strike in October 2005 to get reimbursement of salaries owed. They resumed work after 1 week without repayment of salaries. No minimum wage exists. The work week is set at 37 hours.