Vanuatu’s parliament has passed an amendment to its Marriage Act, stating marriage is the union of a male and female.
The Vanuatu Daily Post reports Minister of Internal Affairs Andrew Napuat as saying that the law, as passed, stipulates that same-sex marriage cannot be registered.
He added marriage is defined in the country’s constitution as being between a male and a female.
The amendment comes amid news that Vanuatu’s Ministry of Justice and Community Services is appointing a new committee to draft a national policy banning LGBTQIA+ advocacy and promotion in the country.
“When the law was passed (14 November), it made clear the government’s full intention, along with our leaders, that every pastor who performs marriage ceremonies must understand that they cannot conduct a ceremony that is against the law and expect it to be registered,” he said.
“If anyone conducts a marriage that does not follow the spirit of the law passed today and seeks our registration, his or her license will be revoked to prevent further marriages. This applies to religious, civil, or traditional ceremonies,” he said.