Seychelles is a unicameral, multi-party republic that elects a President as head of state and a legislature for 5-year terms. 25 members of the 34-seat National Assembly are elected directly and the other 9 members by proportional representation. There are 2 dominant political parties.

In 2006 occurred the fourth presidential election since the re-introduction of multi-party politics, and the incumbent was re-elected. The ruling Seychelles People's Progressive Front (SPPF) won a majority of 23 seats. Observers concluded that the overall election result was fair, but the SPPF was alleged to have given cash donations to supporters. There exists a pervasive system of political patronage controlling government jobs, contracts and resources. The judiciary is independent in law but is reported to be subject to executive influence.

Discrimination is prohibited in general, but the types of discrimination prohibited are not specified.

The ruling SPPF is accused of cronyism by providing supporters with jobs and other benefits. Reports note that the government has barred members of the opposition from administrative positions in education.

Freedom of speech and of the press are supposedly guaranteed in law but with numerous nullifying restrictions, such as the need to protect the reputation, rights and freedoms of private persons as well as defence, public safety, public order, public morality and public health. Freedom of speech and of the press are limited by libel lawsuits filed against journalists. The Minister of Information Technology can prohibit the broadcast of any material against the national interest. Internet access is not restricted. There are reports of government surveillance of some politicians as well as some citizens. Access to government information is provided in law but is routinely denied to citizens.

The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child asked the government to establish a clear age for compulsory schooling and ensure that it is enforced. They also asked the government to carry out public education campaigns about non-violent forms of discipline as an alternative to corporal punishment and to provide further training on alternative forms of discipline for all professional groups working with or for children. Education is now reported to be compulsory for ages 6 to 15 years, and is tuition-free to age 18. Families are required to buy school uniforms, though books are supplied.

The government reports that all children aged 6 to 16 attend school. Polytechnic Vocational Training is available for tertiary education; university studies take place abroad. Apprenticeship programmes provide a training stipend for students. Girls are not allowed to attend school if they are pregnant; they may return to school following the birth but many do not.

A 3-year programme begins at age 4. At this level 5% of education is private. The Net Enrolment Rate (NER) is 91%. All 180 teachers working at this level are women, of whom 77% are trained. The pupil/teacher ratio (PTR) is 15 : 1.

Education is compulsory for ages 6 to 15. Primary school begins at age 6 and continues for 6 years. At this level 5% of education is private. The NER is 96% (45% female). Of students who enrol in Grade 1, 99% continue to the last grade of primary school. 655 teachers (85% female) work at this level, and 79% of them are trained. The PTR is 14 : 1.

Secondary education begins at age 12 and is completed in 6 years. The NER is 93%. Secondary teachers total 552, with 340 (55% female) in lower secondary and 212 (50% female) in upper secondary education. 91% of secondary teachers are trained. The PTR is 14 : 1 in lower secondary and 14 : 1 in upper secondary education.

457 students study overseas, mainly in the United Kingdom (189), Australia (117), France (32), New Zealand (25) and Mauritius (15).

The law gives special protection to the right of persons with disabilities, and there are no reports of discrimination against disabled persons in education or in other state services. The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child has asked the government to continue cooperation with the National Council for the Disabled and others to develop and implement a policy aimed at the full integration of children with disabilities into the mainstream school system and to assess the extent to which current services and public facilities are accessible and appropriate for the needs of children with disabilities.

The law provides for the granting of refugee status or asylum in accordance with the 1951 UN Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol, but the government has not established a system for providing protection to refugees.

The majority of the population are Seychellois Creole of African and Malagasy origin. Creole people today also include people of mixed African, Malagasy, Indian, Chinese, Portuguese and French origins. Almost the entire population belongs to one of the Christian denominations. The language spoken by everyone is Seychellois Creole, though French and English are widely used.

Reports indicate that people cannot reach senior positions in academic administration without showing some loyalty to the SPPF. There are no universities, but appointments to the Polytechnic faculty are government-controlled.

Since the traditional system is matriarchal, discrimination against women is not institutional. For example, inheritance laws do not discriminate against women. The law prohibits sexual harassment, but it is rarely enforced.

Physical abuse of children is said to be common, especially sexual abuse of children by stepfathers and older brothers, but very few child abuse cases are prosecuted. Domestic violence is a continuing problem, and police are reluctant to intervene in domestic disputes, though domestic violence is said to be increasingly unacceptable.

The minimum age for employment is 15. Exceptions are made for children who are employed part-time in light work that is said not to harm their health, morals or education. The government enforces the law, and it is a criminal offence to employ a child under 15.

Workers have the right to form and join trade unions, except police, the military, prison personnel and firefighters. 15% to 20% of the work force is unionised. Collective bargaining is legal but is reported not to take place. Instead, the government imposes wages scales for its own employees, who account for over 50% of the paid work force, as well as for the largest private sector businesses. The right to strike can only be exercised following extensive arbitration, but strikes have taken place. The Seychelles Trade Zone Act applies in the export processing zone.

Forced or compulsory labour is prohibited in legislation that is enforced. There is no private sector minimum wage. The minimum public sector wage of US$387 to $445 (SR 2,025 to SR 2,325) a month is supplemented with free public services, health care and education. Even so, in most cases this would not provide a decent standard of living for a worker and family. The maximum work week is from 45 to 55 hours depending on the sector. Foreign workers do not have the same protection as citizens.