Vanuatu - October 2024

Vanuatu’s Ministry of Justice and Community Services announced on 31 October plans to draft a National Policy banning LGBTQIA+ advocacy and activities in the country. A committee in the Ministry will create a workplan in November that will guide governmental efforts to prevent LGBTQIA+ advocacy until the full policy is in place in six months’ time. Vanuatu’s National Human Rights Coordinator, Albert Nalpini, stated the decision was made at the behest of Vanuatu’s Council of Ministers, and singled out the local LGBTQIA+ rights non-profit V-Pride as a prime target of the new policy. Legal experts have pointed out any such policy would violate both Vanuatu’s constitution and its obligations under international law.

Sources: Daily Post, Radio New Zealand, Post-Courier