Human Rights

Universal periodic review - Vanuatu

Questions/Recommendations from New Zealand, Tuesday 12 May 2009

        

New Zealand warmly welcomes the delegation of Vanuatu to the Human Rights Council.  We greatly value this opportunity to engage with Vanuatu on human rights. As Pacific neighbours, New Zealand and Vanuatu enjoy a close relationship.

In its report, Vanuatu demonstrates its commitment to improving the human rights situation in its country. New Zealand appreciates the challenges Vanuatu faces as a small island developing state with limited resources. We also recognise Vanuatu’s vulnerability to climate change, and the human rights implications this will have for the population.

New Zealand commends Vanuatu for being the first Pacific island country to ratify the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and for establishing domestic frameworks, such as the National Disability Committee.

• New Zealand recommends that Vanuatu strengthen its efforts to implement the Convention: by amending the Constitution to prohibit discrimination against persons with disabilities; supporting the role of Disabled Persons Organisations; and by paying special attention to the needs of children with disabilities in accessing education and health services.

Vanuatu’s national report also refers to human rights concerns in the Vanuatu prison system, including poor living conditions and the inhumane treatment of detainees. New Zealand is actively supporting Vanuatu's efforts to address these concerns and welcomes the Government’s commitment to establishing a professional Corrections Service, but many challenges remain. Respect for human rights must be central to the Corrections Service, including the humane and lawful treatment of detainees by all the branches of the Vanuatu police and justice system. New Zealand would welcome the delegation’s comments on how it intends to promote respect for human rights across the law and justice sector.

• New Zealand recommends that the government of Vanuatu support further human rights training for police, corrections and justice officials; promote regular, independent monitoring of detention facilities; and ensure that detainees have immediate and effective means of redress and protection when their rights are violated.

New Zealand also has ongoing concerns relating to the status and treatment of women and children in Vanuatu society.  The recent passing of the Family Protection Act is an encouraging step. 

• We recommend that the Government strengthen its efforts to work across agencies, and with women’s NGOs, to raise awareness that domestic violence is unacceptable, to educate women on their rights and to combat stereotypes and customary practices that perpetuate domestic violence.

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