| For a summary of Vanuatu’s review at the second cycle please click here |
5th UPR session
Date of review: 12 May 2009
Date of report adoption: 4 June 2009
Document number: A/HRC/12/14
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SUMMARY SOGIESC issues during Vanuatu’s 1st UPR review |
I. SOGIESC issues/recommendations identified by NGOs
Equality and non discrimination
13. AI [Amnesty International] indicated that the Constitution of Vanuatu provides for protection against discrimination on the grounds of race, origin, religious or traditional beliefs, political beliefs and sex but does not include other disadvantages, such as disability, economic status, sexual orientation or living with HIV/AIDS. AI stated that there is a risk of human rights violations against such marginalised groups, as recently exemplified by the case of a woman living with HIV/AIDS. It called on the Government to amend Section 5 of the Constitution by adding “disability, health, economic status and sexual orientation” as prohibited grounds for discrimination.
II. Excerpts on SOGIESC issues from the national report
No references.
III. Excerpts on SOGIESC issues by UN agencies
No references.
IV. References to SOGIESC issues during the Working Group review
24. Concerning the question of amending the Constitution to include disability, economic status, sexual orientation or HIV/AIDS status as prohibited grounds for discrimination, such groups were already covered under the Constitution as underprivileged people.
31. Noting that the Constitution provides for protection against discrimination on a range of grounds, the Netherlands recommended (e) taking necessary measures to ensure that discrimination on the basis of disability, economic status, sexual orientation or living with HIV/AIDS is prevented.
V. Conclusions and/or recommendations
Vanuatu accepted the following recommendations:
56.25. Take necessary measures to ensure that discrimination on the basis of disability, economic status, sexual orientation or living with HIV/AIDS is prevented (Netherlands).
VI. Further information
You will find all documents relating to Vanuatu’s first review at UPR-Info and OHCHR’s websites.