UN Rights Committee Urges Andorra to Create Human Rights Body and Advance Abortion Rights

The United Nations Human Rights Committee has urged Andorra to establish a national human rights institution in line with the Paris Principles, develop a comprehensive anti-corruption strategy, strengthen protections against discrimination and hate speech, and make progress on sexual and reproductive rights, particularly voluntary termination of pregnancy.

These recommendations form part of the committee's final observations, published this week following a dialogue in Geneva on 2 and 3 March 2026. The review represented Andorra's initial evaluation under the UN treaty bodies' monitoring of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), with an 18-member delegation led by Ambassador Ferran Costa engaging 18 independent experts.

The committee praised recent achievements, including legislative advances on equality and non-discrimination, citizen participation programs, child and adolescent safeguards, climate and sustainability policies, and institutional efforts against gender-based violence. It also welcomed Andorra's ratifications of key treaties, such as the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on communications procedures. Strengthening the Citizen's Ombudsman's role in promoting and protecting rights was noted positively, aligning with the delegation's focus on inclusive education, support for vulnerable groups, disability rights, refugee assistance, child protections, and gender equality.

On reproductive rights, the committee dismissed Costa's argument equating cross-border pregnancy terminations with other overseas medical procedures. It highlighted that current laws force women abroad for abortions, potentially leading to unsafe practices that endanger their lives and health. Broader priorities include climate adaptation, curbing pre-trial detention, combating human trafficking, completing asylum and statelessness frameworks, and boosting public participation in governance. The committee called for wider promotion of the ICCPR and its optional protocols among citizens and officials.

The Andorran government views the observations as a chance to refine public policies and bolster rights protections. It plans cross-cutting analysis and collaboration with institutions and civil society to implement and publicize international obligations.

Andorra must update the committee by 19 March 2029 on the national human rights institution, voluntary pregnancy termination, and freedom of expression. The next cycle includes a list of issues in 2032 and dialogue in 2034.