U.S. Dep't of State, 2023 Report on International Religious Freedom: Vanuatu

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The constitution provides for individual freedom of “religious or traditional beliefs,” with the preamble to the constitution referring to “traditional Melanesian values, faith in God, and Christian principles.” There is no official state religion. The law makes discrimination, including on the basis of religion, a crime. On penalty of a fine, the law requires religious groups to register. The interdenominational Vanuatu Christian Council (VCC), an umbrella religious organization representing the largest religious groups in the country, continued to organize prayer sessions in almost all government ministries.

In July, the VCC said the practice of government departments and ministries hiring chaplains for chaplaincy services constituted “improper political influence.” Religious minorities continued to criticize the government for not including non-Christian faith groups in celebrations of national events. According to the VCC, religious minorities were respected within society, and any tension between groups was mostly due to tribal and ethnic issues. Some members of minority faith groups, however, stated members of dominant religious denominations ridiculed their beliefs. In most rural areas, in accordance with traditional customs, the establishment of a new religious group generally required agreement by the chief along with community consensus.

In November, a VCC representative said the number of new Christian groups had increased during the year. In April, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Church of Jesus Christ) held a groundbreaking ceremony attended by both the President and then Prime Minister, to celebrate the construction of a new temple. In November, the Baha’i temple Tanna House of Worship marked its second anniversary by hosting an interfaith gathering, including chiefs and nearby residents. There is no permanent U.S. diplomatic presence in the country; officials at the U.S. Embassy in Papua New Guinea are accredited to Vanuatu.

Representatives from the embassy discussed with government officials the importance of interfaith dialogue and the inclusion of religious minorities in national events and programs. Embassy representatives discussed religious freedom issues with leaders of the VCC, religious minority groups, and civil society organizations. In November, U.S. State Department officials, embassy officials, and the VVC had a roundtable discussion on faith-based efforts to combat human rights abuses. Section I. Religious Demography The U.S. government estimates the total population at 318,000 (midyear 2023).

According to Boston University’s 2020 World Religion Database, approximately 93 percent of the population are Christian. Among Christian groups, an estimated 26 percent are Presbyterian, 25 percent Assemblies of God, 12 percent Anglican, 12 percent Roman Catholic, and 12 percent Seventh-day Adventist. Other Christian groups, include the Church of Christ, Apostolic Church, other Protestant denominations, Church of Jesus Christ, and Jehovah’s Witnesses. The John Frum Movement, an Indigenous religious group with its own political party, is centered on the island of Tanna and includes approximately 5 percent of the population.

There are also small numbers of Baha’is and Muslims. Section II. Status of Government Respect for Religious Freedom Legal Framework The preamble of the constitution refers to a commitment to “traditional Melanesian values, faith in God, and Christian principles,” but there is no state religion. The constitution provides for individual freedom of “religious or traditional beliefs,” including the freedoms of conscience and worship, subject “to respect for the rights and freedoms of others and to the legitimate public interest in defense, safety, public order, welfare, and health.” Any individual who believes these rights have been violated may apply “independently of any other possible legal remedy … to the Supreme Court to enforce that right.” The Supreme Court may issue orders it considers appropriate to enforce these rights if it finds they have been violated and may order financial compensation.

The penal code provides a penalty of up to two years in prison for discrimination, including on the basis of religion. The law requires every religious group to apply to the government for a certificate of registration, pay 1,000 vatu ($9), and obtain final approval of the Minister for Internal Affairs to operate. Registration allows the religious group to maintain a bank account. The penalty for not registering is a fine not exceeding 50,000 vatu ($430).

The Department of Education prohibits religious discrimination. By law, children may not be refused admission to government or nongovernment schools or be treated unfavorably because of their religion. The government provides grants to schools operated by religious groups and pays the salaries of teachers at church-operated schools in existence since independence in 1980. Government schools schedule time each week for religious education conducted by VCC representatives using their own materials.

The standard curriculum requires that students in grades seven through 12 receive at least one hour of religious instruction per week, but there is no uniform standard amount of time dedicated to religious instruction across all schools. Parents may request that students be excused from religious education classes in both private and public schools. The country is a party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Government Practices The VCC reported it continued to conduct prayer sessions, instituted in 2021, in almost all government ministries.

The Daily Post reported that in July, VCC secretary general Bernard Yalimao said the practice by government departments and ministries of hiring chaplains for chaplaincy services constituted “improper political influence.” According to the Daily Post , Yalimao said the VCC should be the authority appointing the chaplains and that the council would not recognize some of the government-hired chaplains. The government reported it continued to interact with religious groups primarily through the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the VCC, the latter composed of the Catholic Church, Anglican Church, Presbyterian Church, Church of Christ, and Apostolic Church, with Seventh-day Adventists and the Assemblies of God having observer status. Government officials said they respected smaller religious minorities but preferred to work with a coordinated body such as the VCC, which represented churches with the largest number of followers, stating that religious minorities had different expectations and protocols. Officials customarily took government oaths of office with a hand on the Bible.

The VCC organized ceremonial prayers at national events, such as Father Walter Lini Day in February and Vanuatu Independence Day in July. Religious minorities, including officials representing the Muslim and Baha’i communities, continued to criticize the government for not allowing non-Christian clergy to lead ceremonial prayers at such events. Section III. Status of Societal Respect for Religious Freedom According to the main leader of the VCC, religious minorities were respected, and if there was tension between groups, it was mostly due to tribal and ethnic issues.

According to a leader in the Muslim community, Islam and the mainline Christian churches were equally respected. Some members of minority faith groups, including Jehovah’s Witnesses, Muslims, and Baha’is, however, continued to state that members of dominant religious groups ridiculed their beliefs. In most rural areas, traditional Melanesian communal decision making predominated. In general, whenever a community member proposed a significant change within the community, such as the establishment of a new religious group, the action required agreement by the chief, along with community consensus.

In November, a VCC representative said the number of new Christian groups had increased during the year. In April, the Church of Jesus Christ held a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of constructing a new temple in Port Vila, the first in the country. President Nikenike Vurobaravu and then Prime Minister Altoi Ishmael Kalsakau as well as other dignitaries attended. The Pacific Area President of the church, Peter Meurs, said, “The Vanuatu temple is evidence of God’s promise.” In November, Baha’i World News Service reported the Baha’i temple Tanna House of Worship marked its second anniversary by hosting an interfaith gathering, including chiefs and nearby residents.

One chief in attendance said, “We have joined here today to pray together for the unity of all.” A member of one of the represented faith communities said, “No matter our different backgrounds and beliefs, we all come from the same source.” Section IV. U.S. Government Policy and Engagement There is no permanent U.S. diplomatic presence in the country. Officials at the U.S. Embassy in Papua, New Guinea, are accredited to the government. During the year, embassy officials discussed with the government the importance of including religious minorities in national events and programs.

In November, U.S. State Department and embassy officials had a roundtable discussion with the VCC on faith-based efforts to combat human rights abuses such as trafficking in persons, child exploitation, and gender-based violence in Vanuatu. In July, embassy representative exchanged ideas with the VCC, government agencies, Christian leaders of various denominations, and civil society organizations on the importance of interfaith dialogue, regardless of religious affiliation. Embassy representative also discussed with religious minorities, including Catholics, Baha’is, Muslims, and Jehovah’s Witnesses, their perceptions of religious freedom and tolerance in the country. On This Page search > < EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Section I. Religious Demography Section II.

Status of Government Respect for Religious Freedom Legal Framework Government Practices Section III. Status of Societal Respect for Religious Freedom Section IV. U.S. Government Policy and Engagement Tags Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs Office of International Religious Freedom Religious Freedom Reports Vanuatu