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Title_of_text

Constitution of the Republic of Vanuatu, 1980.

Main Region

First Region

Vanuatu
Constitutional law
1980
National
Constitution

Second Region

As amended to the Third Amendment Act, 1983. The national language is Bislama; the official languages and languages of education shall be French and English. Chapter 2 contains fundamental rights and duties, including the right to life, liberty, and protection of the law; freedom of expression, assembly, religion and movement, as well as freedom from inhuman treatment and forced labour. Duties include the duty to work in "socially useful employment and, if necessary, to create ...legitimate opportunities for such employment." Chapter 3 governs citizenship; Chapter 4 Parliament; Chapter 5 the National Council of Chiefs; Chapter 6 the Head of State (the President); and Chapter 7 the Executive (Prime Minister). The judiciary is set forth in Chapter 8, including the Supreme Court. Chapter 9 relates to the public service, including the post of an Ombudsman. Chapter 10 governs emergency powers, allowing the promulgation of measures "justifiable in a democratic society," as long as they do not derogate from the right to life and freedom from inhuman treatment and forced labour (art. 69). Chapter 12 stipulates that land belongs to indigenous custom owners. Existing law shall remain in effect (s. 93).

Amending Text region

Electronic region

Monograph region

    Monograph title
    Constitutions of the Countries of the World
    Author
    Gisbert H. Flanz
    Publisher
    Oceana Publications
    Place of publication
    Dobbs Ferry, NY
    Country
    United States of America
    Date
    1995-12
    Page range
    29 p.
    ISBN
    0-379-00467-4