Constitutional Law at Vanuatu
Got it — let’s look at Constitutional Law in Vanuatu!
Vanuatu is a small island nation in the South Pacific, and its constitutional system reflects its history of both British and French colonial rule.
Here’s the key info:
The Constitution of Vanuatu came into force on July 30, 1980, the day the country gained independence.
Vanuatu is a parliamentary democracy with a written constitution.
The Constitution is the supreme law — any law inconsistent with it is invalid.
Key features:
Head of State: The President, elected by an electoral college (Parliament + regional council presidents), largely has ceremonial powers.
Head of Government: The Prime Minister holds the real executive power.
Parliament: Unicameral (one house), elected by the people, responsible for making laws.
Customary Law: Traditional customary law (the customs and traditions of the indigenous people) is officially recognized and plays a strong role, especially in land matters and village governance.
Bill of Rights: Protects fundamental rights — freedom of speech, religion, movement, protection from discrimination, etc.
Judiciary: Independent, with a Supreme Court and Court of Appeal.
Languages: English, French, and Bislama are official languages — and the Constitution itself acknowledges this multilingualism.
In short:
Vanuatu’s constitutional law is a hybrid — it’s democratic, respects modern human rights, but also gives big importance to traditional customs and local culture.
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