The Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe is a multi-party democracy with an elected President. The Democratic Movement of Forces for Change (MDFM) won the March 2006 elections, re-electing the President and making it possible for him to appoint an ally as Prime Minister. Previous governments have had rival presidents and premiers. Presidential and legislative elections, held on the basis or universal suffrage, were deemed free and fair. 4 women serve in the 55-seat National Assembly, but there is no woman in Cabinet.

Following a failed military coup in 2003, agreement was reached to establish a national consensus on the country's development priorities in the following areas: a change to representation in the National Assembly, improved living conditions for the army, land and agricultural reform, legislation and regulations to manage the country's oil wealth and improvement in education and health. The judiciary is independent in law, but it remains subject to political influence.

Equality regardless of sex, race, racial origin, political tendency, creed or conviction is provided for in legislation, but discrimination occurs.

The police are reported to be poorly trained and ineffective and are perceived to be corrupt. Impunity is a problem. Low salaries for civil servants contribute to public corruption. 46% of the population lives in poverty, and 35% in extreme poverty. Allegations that the President awarded oil rights in a non-transparent manner are being investigated.

Freedom of speech and of the press are guaranteed in law and respected in practice. The state controls a press agency and the only radio and television stations, but no law forbids private broadcasting, and Internet access is not restricted. Journalists are reported to practise self-censorship. Access to government information is not provided for in law, but there have been steps to improve transparency.

People with HIV/AIDS are rejected by their communities and shunned by their families. Free AIDS testing and antiretroviral drugs are provided to some patients. Discrimination against homosexuals is reported.

Education is universal and compulsory through Grade 6 and tuition-free to age 15. In practice some rural students stop attending school after Grade 4. Families have to buy books and uniforms, though both are provided free to children from poor families. Transportation and tuition costs prevent some poor, rural students from attending secondary school.

A social services programme gathered street children into 3 centres where they receive classes and vocational training, though overcrowding has caused some children to return to their families at night. In the population as a whole, 56.6% of those aged 25 or over are reported as having no formal schooling at all, 18.0% have incomplete primary education and 19.2% incomplete secondary.

A 3-year programme begins at age 4. At this level 55% of education is private. The Net Enrolment Rate (NER) is 30%.

Education is compulsory for ages 7 to 12. Primary school begins at age 7 and continues for 6 years. The NER is 98% (49% female). Of students enrolled in Grade 1, 60% continue to the last grade of primary school. 25% of students repeat grades. 929 teachers (56% female) work at this level. The pupil/teacher ratio (PTR) is 32 : 1.

Secondary education begins at age 13 and is completed in 5 years. 2% of students in upper secondary education study in technical vocational programmes. The NER is 26%. 32% of students repeat grades. There are 195 teachers (14% female) in lower secondary. The PTR is 23 : 1 in secondary school.

52,282 students study in tertiary institutions, for a Gross Enrolment Rate of 5%. At this level 21% of education is private. 570 students study overseas, mainly in Portugal (496), Cuba (30), France (26), U.S.A. (5) and Germany (2).

Local organisations have criticised the government for not implementing programmes for persons with disabilities. Discrimination against persons with physical and mental disabilities is illegal and is not reported to occur. UNICEF reports that 62% of children have received the whole set of required vaccines compared to only 52% among disabled children. The lack of transportation makes it difficult for children with disabilities to attend some schools.

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

The ethnic minorities include Angolares, who are descendants of Angolan slaves and the Portuguese.

Reports do not cite restrictions of academic freedom.

Women and men have equal political, economic and social rights. Women have access to opportunities in education, business and government but still face social discrimination. Tradition sees women as responsible for child-rearing, and this limits their access to education and to professions; a high teenage pregnancy rate reduces education and economic opportunities for young women. 70% of households are reported to be headed by women.

Sexual harassment is not prohibited in legislation and is a problem. Domestic violence occurs, but tradition requires that domestic disputes remain within the family, and reluctance to take legal action allows perpetrators of violence to act with impunity.

The minimum age for employment is 18. Minors are prohibited from working more than 7 hours a day and 35 hours a week. In the formal wage sector the law is respected, but child labour is a problem in subsistence agriculture, on plantations and in the informal sector, where children work from an early age.

Workers have the right to form and join trade unions. The formal wage sector is small and organising is done by 2 unions: the General Union of Workers and the National Organisation of Workers of Sao Tome and Principe. Both unions also represent civil servants, who constitute the majority of wage earners. Collective bargaining takes place, but since the government is the principal employer it is in a strong position in negotiations on wages and conditions of work. The right to strike is respected for all workers including government employees and essential workers. A nationwide strike for higher wages resulted in a negotiated settlement in 2005, though the terms of the settlement are still to be implemented.

Forced or compulsory labour is prohibited. No national minimum wage exists. The minimum wage for civil servants is US$40 (400 thousand dobras) a month, an amount that is insufficient to provide a decent standard of living for a worker and family. The law specifies areas of work where civil servants may pursue a second job. Civil servants in sectors such as the court, finance, customs, education and the Criminal Investigation Police earn up to 400% more than other public service employees. The legal work week is 40 hours