Vanuatu’s Ministry of Justice and Community Services (MoJCS) will appoint a new committee next week to draft a National Policy banning all Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, and more (LGBTQIA+) advocacy and promotion in Vanuatu.
National Human Rights Coordinator, Albert Nalpini, said this decision aligns with the Council of Ministers (COM) 9th Ordinary meeting earlier this year, which aimed to create a policy that prohibits LGBTQIA+ activities in the country.
“We want a small team to consult with partners and communities to develop a policy that reflects the COM’s decision,” he said.
“The Ministry of Justice will lead the policy-making process with support from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and other partners, aiming to outline the Government’s stance on LGBTQIA+ issues.”
Nalpini confirmed that over ten members will be appointed to the committee, representing the MoJCS, the Malvatumauri Council of Chiefs, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Vanuatu Christian Council (VCC), the Vanuatu National Council of Women (VNCW), the Youth Council, and other key representatives.
“The COM’s decision was made in response to how V-Pride advocates, promotes, and implements activities, including receiving funds from donor partners and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs),” he said.
V-Pride has been a non-profit, community-based organisation in Vanuatu since 2017, dedicated to educating and mobilising around diverse Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Expression, and Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC), and eliminating discrimination against those of diverse SOGIESC.
“The COM has also recognised that V-Pride’s activities contradict our Constitution’s preambles, Christian principles, and Melanesian values,” said Nalpini.
He confirmed the committee has a six-month timeframe to complete the National Policy, which may be extended depending on how quickly they develop their work plan.
“Next month, the committee is expected to have its first meeting to create a work plan for the Ministry of Justice to determine how long they will work on the national policy,” Nalpini said.
“Until the policy is in place, it will guide our efforts against LGBTQIA+ advocacy in Vanuatu.”
The National Human Rights Coordinator added that they are also working to ensure no advocacy, funding, or activities related to LGBTQIA+ take place, as per the COM’s decision.
“The word is out to our partners, NGOs, and other departments supporting LGBTQIA+ to stop promoting their activities,” he said.
Vice Chairman of the Vanuatu Christian Council (VCC), Pastor Thomson Aki, stressed Vanuatu is a Christian country and the V-Pride movement poses a threat to it.
“I thank the Government for taking a stand against LGBTQ and V-Pride activities in the country,” he said.
“The Church does not support this lifestyle, as mentioned in the Bible when God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah for their wickedness.”
Pastor Aki emphasised that churches are praying hard to protect Vanuatu.
“VCC encourages people and churches to help the LGBTQ community change their lifestyle, to do what’s best for them, and to help them realise they are made in the image of God.
“Perhaps this is a foreign concept adopted from modern culture, which has become a problem in the country. During the 90s, our traditions and customs would not have allowed any LGBTQ presence in the Nakamal.”
Attempts to obtain a comment from the Director of V-Pride were unsuccessful. However, Executive Director Gigi Khaleezzi Baxter posted a statement on social media on 10 October, apologising for the cancellation of this year’s V-Pride Fashion Show due to unforeseen circumstances.
“We recognise that this announcement may disappoint our supporters and participants who have made this event a cornerstone of innovation and growth within our community,” the post stated.
“Despite this setback, the impact of V-Pride over the past four years has been remarkable; it has promoted local designers in broader markets across regional and global platforms. “Going forward, V-Pride remains committed to supporting initiatives like Mama’s Handicraft Association as part of our mission to empower creative expression using Vanuatu’s native prints. We remain hopeful for future opportunities to showcase Vanuatu’s rich fashion heritage on a global stage,” said Baxter.