Andorra
In 2026, Andorra remains one of the world’s most stable democracies, but its unique "diarchic" system (co-governed by the Bishop of Urgell and the President of France) continues to create a specific set of human rights tensions. The focus has shifted recently toward modernizing social laws that have historically been influenced by Catholic doctrine.
The following are the main human rights issues in Andorra as of 2026:
1. Reproductive Rights and Abortion
For decades, Andorra was one of the few countries with a total ban on abortion. As of late 2025 and into 2026, the country is navigating a historic turning point:
Decriminalization vs. Access: In late 2025, a bill was introduced to decriminalize abortion, meaning women and doctors no longer face prison time. However, due to the Bishop’s role as co-prince, the procedure is still not performed on Andorran soil.
State-Funded Travel: To resolve this, the government now provides state funding for residents to seek abortions in Spain or France, a pragmatic compromise that bypasses the "constitutional crisis" a full legalization would have caused.
Victory for Activists: The 2024 acquittal of activist Vanessa Mendoza Cortés, who had been charged with "crimes against the prestige of the institutions" after criticizing the abortion ban to the UN, has significantly strengthened the protection of human rights defenders in the country.
2. Political Rights and Naturalization
Despite being a democracy, more than 50% of the population cannot vote in national elections.
Strict Naturalization: Andorra has some of Europe’s toughest residency requirements. Non-citizens must reside in the country for 20 years (or 10 years if they were educated there) to obtain citizenship and voting rights.
Democratic Deficit: Because so many residents are "non-nationals" (mostly Spanish, Portuguese, and French), a large portion of the people contributing to the economy have no say in the laws that govern them. International bodies like the Council of Europe have urged Andorra to grant local voting rights to long-term residents.
3. Labor Rights and Migrant Workers
While the economy is strong, the "boom" in construction and tourism has exposed gaps in labor protection:
Abusive Practices: Reports from 2025 highlighted concerns regarding Latin American workers in the construction sector, who often face lower wages and poorer living conditions.
Working Hours: The European Committee of Social Rights recently found Andorra in "non-conformity" regarding maximum working times, noting that healthcare and social care workers could still be legally required to work over 60 hours a week in certain circumstances without sufficient safeguards.
4. LGBTQ+ Rights and Religious Freedoms
Andorra is generally progressive regarding LGBTQ+ rights, but some administrative hurdles remain:
Legal Gender Recognition: While trans people can change their gender on official documents, activists in 2026 continue to push for the removal of the compulsory two-year waiting period and the requirement for a psychiatric diagnosis.
Religious Minorities: Because of its Catholic heritage, the country still lacks dedicated cemeteries for its Muslim and Jewish communities. However, as of early 2026, the government is in active talks to establish a multireligious cemetery to address this.
5. Housing Crisis
A major "social right" issue in 2026 is the lack of affordable housing.
Speculation: High demand for luxury property and investment has driven rental prices beyond the reach of many average workers.
Insufficient Legislation: While the government passed a housing bill in late 2024, human rights groups argue that the measures are insufficient to prevent the "expulsion" of lower-income residents from the city centers.