Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a constitutional, multi-party republic governed by a president and a unicameral legislative assembly directly elected in multi-party elections every four years. In 2010 voters chose Laura Chinchilla Miranda of the National Liberation Party (PLN), the country's first female president, in elections generally considered free and fair. Authorities maintained effective control over the security forces. Security forces did not commit human rights abuses. Principal human rights abuses reported during the year included harsh prison conditions and treatment, delays in the judicial process, and domestic violence against women and children. Other human rights problems included trafficking in persons, including sex trafficking of children, and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The government investigated and prosecuted officials who committed abuses; however, impunity still existed.