San Marino, a landlocked enclave in northern Italy, is a democratic, multi-party republic. The elected Great and General Council (Parliament) selects 2 of its members to serve as Captains Regent (heads of state). They preside over meetings of the General Council and the Congress of State (Cabinet); 10 secretaries of state and the Captains Regent are selected by the elected Council. Parliamentary elections held on the basis of universal suffrage and with a system of proportional representation were deemed free and fair. The Christian Democratic Party (DCS) obtained 20 seats and confirmed its governing coalition with the Socialist Party (PSS), also with 20 seats. Coalition governments are the norm in San Marino. There are 7 women in the 60-seat Parliament. No minorities are in the government. The judiciary is independent is law and in practice.

Discrimination on the basis of race, gender, disability, language or social status is prohibited, and the law is enforced.

Freedom of speech and of the press are guaranteed, and Internet access is not restricted. Access to government information is provided in law; citizens and non-citizens receive information when requested or through the web site.

The Catholic Church receives benefits through income tax revenues; taxpayers allocate 0.3% of income tax payments to the Catholic Church or to other charities.

Education is free until the final grade of secondary school and is compulsory for ages 6 to 16. Students normally complete 13 years of schooling. Financial assistance is available for students at all levels of education. Books and materials are supplied by primary and secondary schools free of charge. Primary and secondary school children who perform well receive an allowance. Students wishing to attend high schools outside San Marino are entitled to an allowance for books and travel expenses. Parents receive an education grant if a high school is located too far for the student to return home every day. Students wishing to undertake postgraduate studies in a field promoted by the state also receive grants.

Young people over age 14 are eligible for working student scholarships for special training courses. All citizens and residents of San Marino are eligible for such benefits. The adult literacy rate is about 98%. The programme of instruction is patterned after the Italian curriculum and San Marinese school certificates are recognised by Italy. San Marinese students are able to pursue higher education at Italian universities. There are also vocational training schools and a technical institute available to them.

A 3-year programme begins at age 3.

Education is compulsory for ages 6 to 16. Primary school begins at age 6 and continues for 5 years.

Secondary education begins at age 11 and is completed in 6 years.

931 San Marinese students are studying abroad, mainly in Italy (774), the UK (118), Germany (13), Belarus (10) and Greece (4).

Schools make special provisions for children with disabilities to guarantee equal opportunities. Diagnoses of physical, psychological or academic problems are carried out with the help paediatricians and other qualified persons to determine the most suitable type of schooling. In San Marino, all disabled minors attend regular public school but follow individualised academic programmes as well as therapy. A centre for disabled children organises day activities for some 40 disabled children. The objective of the centre is to integrate disabled children into the community. Activities are organised with primary and secondary schools. Discrimination against persons with disabilities is prohibited in state services, and the government enforces this legislation.

The law does not provide for the granting of asylum or refugee status in accordance with the 1951 UN Convention relating to the Status of Refugees or its 1967 Protocol, but the government has a system for providing protection to refugees. The government cooperates with the UNHCR and other humanitarian organisations in assisting refugees and asylum-seekers.

Even though San Marino has no ethnic minorities living on its territory, in recent years it has experienced immigration. A large number of people, compared to the small population, work in San Marino; most are seasonal workers from Eastern Europe or the Maghreb. The legislation governing education specifically states that discrimination on the basis of race, sex, language, religion or political opinion is not permitted by teachers, students or administrative personnel.

Reports do not cite restrictions or violations of academic freedom.

Women and men are guaranteed the same rights under family and property law. Pay and employment conditions respect the principle of equal pay for work of equal value. Sexual harassment is illegal, and the law is enforced. Violence against women is reported to be rare. Prostitution is not legal and is not reported as common.

The minimum age for employment is 16, which coincides with the end of compulsory education; no exceptions are permitted. Children aged 16 to 18 years are not barred from any type of legal work. The law is effectively enforced.

Workers are free to form and join trade unions, except members of the National Guard militia. Some 50% of those workers who are not self-employed are union members. Collective bargaining is permitted, and negotiations are conducted freely. All employees are covered by collective agreements negotiated by the unions. Civilian workers, including the police, have the right to strike.

Forced or compulsory labour is illegal. The minimum hourly wage of about US$8 (6.7 euros) does not provide a decent standard of living for a worker and family. Negotiated wages are higher than the minimum wage. The work week is set at 36 hours in the public sector, and 37½ hours for industry and private businesses.