A/HRC/30/9
9.
Since the first cycle of the review, Andorra had made progress in the submission
of reports to treaty bodies. In recognition of the importance of such periodic reports, it
would shortly submit a report to the Committee on the Elimination of Racial
Discrimination.
10. In the legislative field, a major reform undertaken by Andorra had been the
adoption of the Foreign Investment Act of 21 June 2012, which had extended
economic rights to all legal residents, with no restrictions based on nationality or
residence. On 31 May 2012, the Immigration Act had been amended to bring all
provisions relating to the various types of residence in a single text.
11. At the European level, on 18 March 2015, San Marino, Monaco and Andorra had
entered into negotiations to establish a new framework of relations with the European
Union. The commitment of Andorra to human rights had also been reflected during its
chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, from 9
November 2012 to 16 May 2013, when it had set education for democratic citizenship
and human rights education as priorities.
12. Andorra had also contributed actively to promoting the European Convention on
Human Rights through a social network campaign.
13. Moreover, the University of Andorra had just established a new chair specifically
for human rights.
14. Regarding education, the delegation of Andorra referred to the invitation from
the Secretary-General of the United Nations to serve as one of the champion countries
for the Global Education First Initiative, which aimed to put every child in school,
improve the quality of learning and foster global citizenship.
15. The Principality of Andorra had three national public education systems: French,
Spanish and Andorran. Education was free, and the system had no doubt encouraged
the integration of foreigners in a country that was home to more than 100 nationalities
and where the national population accounted for under half of all residents .
Multilingualism was therefore important for the promotion of human rights.
16. The Principality of Andorra had since 2002 adopted legislation guaranteeing the
rights of persons with disabilities. On 11 March 2014, in response to one of the
recommendations made during the first cycle of the review, Andorra had acceded to
the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol.
17. Act No. 6/2014 on social and health-care services, which had been adopted on 24
April 2014, had set up a range of technical, economic and technological services for
all citizens, particularly persons in need of social assistance or those who were
dependent on others, socially excluded or at risk.
18. With regard to involuntary unemployment, at the request of Spain, the delegation
of Andorra set out in detail the conditions for granting benefits and allowances, such
as requirements in terms of the age of beneficiaries and their personal circumstances.
19. In response to questions on the measures taken to reduce youth unemployment,
the delegation of Andorra referred to the Youth Employment Plan, adopted jointly on
19 January 2015 by the Ministry of Justice and the Interior and the Ministry of
Education and Youth. The Plan, which was directed at young persons aged 16 to 20
who, having completed their school education, were unable to access the labour
market, offered diversified and personalized training to facilitate their integration into
the labour force. In addition, on 29 December 2011, an amendment to the Social
Security Act had enabled students aged 25 to 30 to pay health insurance contributions.
The law had created a new system that allowed unemployed persons registered with
4/19
GE.15-11980
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