Comoros

Comoros, which takes its name from the Arabic for moon, is an archipelago of volcanic islands which lies between Madagascar and Mozambique. Wracked by instability, the islands have experienced more than 20 coups d’Etat since they gained independence from France in 1975. Information about human rights standards in Comoros is scarce, but UN human rights mechanisms have criticised the State for the widespread practice of early marriage and the use of children in armed conflict throughout periods of political instability.