The unicameral legislature of Estonia's democratic republic is headed by a Prime Minister, with a President as head of state. Elections held in 2003 on the basis of universal suffrage were deemed free. There followed a period of political turmoil. The Prime Minister elected in 2003 resigned in 2005, and a 3-party coalition government was formed headed by a new Prime Minister. That coalition dissolved shortly thereafter over anti-corruption policies pursued by the minister of justice. A third Prime Minister was appointed and a new coalition formed. There are 20 women in the 101-seat Parliament and 2 women in the 13-member cabinet. 9 members of ethnic minorities serve in Parliament. The law provides for an independent judiciary with a 3 tier court system.

Police are accused of using excessive force during the arrest and questioning of suspects. Isolated reports of government corruption also surface.

Freedom of speech and of the press are guaranteed, and access to the Internet is not restricted. Access to government information is allowed, and government departments respond to information requests. Estonia is a source, transit and destination country for trafficked women and children.

Education is compulsory and tuition-free from age 7 for 9 years or until the student reaches age 17. Some 98.7% children are enrolled in school. The Statistical Office states that the highest level of education attained by most students is secondary school plus 2 years of higher education. Subsidised school meals are provided to students.

A 3-year programme begins at age 3. At this level 1% of education is private. The Net Enrolment Rate (NER) is 87%. All 6,905 ECE teachers are women. The pupil/teacher ratio (PTR) is 8 : 1.

Education is compulsory for ages 7 to age 15. Primary school begins at age 7 and continues for 6 years. The NER is 95%. 2% of students repeat grade levels. Of students who enrol in Grade 1, 98% reach the last grade of primary school. There are 7,702 primary teachers. The PTR is 14 : 1.

Secondary education begins at age 13 and is completed in 6 years. 29% of students in upper secondary education study in technical vocational programmes. The NER is 88%. 4% of students repeat grades. There are 12,259 secondary teachers, 6,355 in lower secondary and 5,904 in upper secondary. The PTR is 10 : 1.

63,625 students study in tertiary institutions, for a Gross Enrolment Rate of 64%, and there are 6,574 faculty members. Students from abroad studying in Estonia come from Central and Eastern Europe (646), North America and Western Europe (307), Asia (128), Sub-Saharan Africa (4), Latin American and the Caribbean (3) and the Arab States (2). Estonian students abroad study in the Russian Federation (1,217), Germany (728), Finland (528), the USA (271) and Sweden (242).

Discrimination against persons with disabilities is prohibited in education or in other state services. The government has increased rehabilitation services and technical support for persons with disabilities. Education programmes are provided for children with special needs, but statistical information is not available.

The law provides for the granting of asylum or refugee status in accordance with the 1951 UN Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol, and the government has established a system for providing protection to refugees. The government cooperates with the office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.

In areas where more than half the population speaks a language other than Estonian, the inhabitants receive official information in their own language. Ethnic Russians account for about 30% of the population. An investigation has begun into remarks inciting hatred on the basis of nationality. Public sector employees, service personnel and medical professionals must use the Estonian language with proficiency, and knowledge of the language is a requirement for citizenship. Ethnic Russians allege job and salary discrimination because of the language requirements.

Reports do not indicate any restrictions of academic freedom.

Women and men have the same legal rights and are entitled to equal pay for work of equal value, but the law is not fully implemented. Women's average educational level is higher than that of men, but their average pay is generally lower and professions tend to be either male-dominated or female-dominated. Civil servants have received training to counter gender discrimination. Although prohibited in law, violence against women occurs.

The minimum age for employment is 18, but children aged 15 to 17 may work with the consent of a parent or guardian, and so may children aged 13 to 15 with the permission of a labour inspector as well as of parents or guardians. The law limits children's hours and types of work to protect them from hazards or danger. The labour inspectorate enforces the laws.

Workers can form and join trade unions or associations. About 10% of the work force belongs to trade unions. The Confederation of Estonian Trade Unions reports anti-union actions in the private sector. Collective bargaining is practised, and collective agreements cover roughly 15% of workers. The law provides for the right to strike. Forced or compulsory labour is prohibited, but reports are made of women trafficked for sexual exploitation and working in forced prostitution. The monthly minimum wage of US$218 (2,690 EEK) does not provide a decent standard of living for a worker and family, but 94% of the workforce earn above the minimum wage. The standard work week is 40 hours.