NATLEX
Database of national labour, social security and related human rights legislation
Vanuatu (126) > General provisions (43)
| Name: | Constitution of the Republic of Vanuatu, 1980. |
| Country: | Vanuatu |
| Subject(s): | Constitutional law |
| Type of legislation: | Constitution |
| Adopted on: | 1980 |
| Entry into force: | |
| ISN: | VUT-1980-C-44017 |
| Link: | https://www.ilo.org/dyn/natlex/natlex4.detail?p_isn=44017&p_lang=en |
| Bibliography: | Constitutions of the Countries of the World, 1995-12, Gisbert H. Flanz, Oceana Publications, Dobbs Ferry, NY, USA, ISBN: 0-379-00467-4, 29 p. Consolidated Edition 2006  Pacific Islands Legal Information Institute (PACLII), University of the South Pacific School of Law, Vanuatu PDF (consulted on 2011-11-15) |
| Abstract/Citation: | 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). |
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