A/HRC/41/10 Introduction 1. The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, established in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 5/1, held its thirty-second session from 21 January to 1 February 2019. The review of Vanuatu was held at the 7th meeting, on 24 January 2019. The delegation of Vanuatu was headed by Minister of Justice and Community Services, Don Ken. At its 14th meeting, held on 29 January 2019, the Working Group adopted the report on Vanuatu. 2. On 15 January 2019, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Vanuatu: Angola, Croatia and Iraq. 3. In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to Human Rights Council resolution 5/1 and paragraph 5 of the annex to Council resolution 16/21, the following documents were issued for the review of Vanuatu: (a) A national report submitted/written presentation made in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/32/VUT/1); (b) A compilation prepared by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in accordance with paragraph 15 (b) (A/HRC/WG.6/32/VUT/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/32/VUT/3). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by Belgium, Germany, Liechtenstein, Portugal, on behalf of the Group of Friends on national implementation, reporting and follow-up, Spain and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was transmitted to Vanuatu through the troika. These questions are available on the website of the universal periodic review. I. Summary of the proceedings of the review process A. Presentation by the State under review 5. The delegation of Vanuatu stated that it was convinced that the universal periodic review process created a platform for all Member States to cooperate, collaborate and share experiences on areas of common interest in human rights. In that connection, it acknowledged the technical assistance to support the process that had been provided to it by the Pacific Islands Forum member States, the Pacific Community, the Regional Rights Resource Team in partnership with the Commonwealth, the Melanesian Spearhead Group and OHCHR. It further acknowledged the invaluable work of civil society and appreciated its engagement in the process up to the current dialogue. 6. Vanuatu had a population of 250,000 people scattered over 80 islands characterized by cultural diversity, and was prone to natural disasters such as cyclones and volcanic eruptions. Despite those challenges, the Government was committed to the promotion and protection of human rights, and had constructively engaged with the United Nations human rights system to ensure the implementation of the human rights instruments that it had ratified. It believed that the protection and promotion of human rights was an essential component that paved the way for peace, security, freedom and dignity for all. 7. The Constitution provided the legal framework for governance and the rule of law. It promoted and protected various fundamental rights and duties of all individuals in Vanuatu. The Constitution also guaranteed the enforcement of fundamental rights by providing legal recourse to the Supreme Court in the event of an infringement of a protected right. 8. As part of the process of implementing review recommendations, the Government had established the National Human Rights Committee in 2014 by statutory order, to provide advisory and monitoring capacity to the Government on the implementation of the 2