LGBT rights in Fiji
| LGBT rights in Fiji | |
|---|---|
 Fiji |
|
| Same-sex sexual activity legal? | Legal[1] |
| Family rights | |
In 1997, Fiji became the second country in the world to explicitly protect against discrimination based on sexual orientation in its constitution. In 2009, the Constitution was abolished.[2]
Contents |
[edit] Law regarding same-sex sexual activity
In 2005, Australian tourist Thomas McCosker had consensual sex with an adult named Dhirendra Nadan. The men were tried and jailed under the nation's sodomy law, but the conviction was subsequently overturned by the nation's highest court as violating the Constitution.
In 2006, the Fijian High Commissioner in New Zealand confirmed that there is now a policy not to arrest gay men for consensual gay sex.[3]
Since 1 February 2010, private, adult, consensual and non-commercial male and female homosexual conduct is legal under the Crimes Act 2010.[4]
[edit] LGBT Politics
In 1997, the Constitution included a provision that specifically prohibited government discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. In 2009, the Fiji Constitution was formally abolished by the President.[5][6] A new Constitution is supposed to be finalized sometime in 2013, but it is unclear if it will address LGBT-rights.
Discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity is not banned by the Fiji's law.
[edit] Family Law
Fiji family laws does not provide legal recognition of same-sex marriage or civil unions. Since 2002, the law expressly bars government recognition of gay marriage.[7]
[edit] Living Conditions
Social mores regarding sexual orientation and gender identity tend to be conservative, with no organized campaign in Fiji to address LGBT-rights.[8]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ "Fiji's new decree says gay sex is now legal". Gaynz.com. 4 March 2010. http://www.gaynz.com/articles/publish/3/article_8562.php. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
- ^ "Fiji's president takes over power". BBC News. 10 April 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7993295.stm. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
- ^ "Fijian High Commission confirms; no more arrests for consensual gay sex in Fiji - from Pink News - all the latest gay news from the gay community". Pink News. 11 July 2006. http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-1948.html. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
- ^ "Same sex law decriminalised". Fijitimes.com. 26 February 2010. http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=140812. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
- ^ Updated (10 April 2009). "Fijian president Ratu Josefa Iloilo abolishes constitution, sacks judiciary and assumes power". Theaustralian.com.au. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/fiji-president-abolishes-constitution/story-e6frg6n6-1225697013961. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
- ^ "Fiji's President Abolishes Constitution, Fires Judiciary". Foxnews.com. 9 April 2009. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,513939,00.html. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
- ^ "Same-sex marriage in Fiji". Go-fiji.com. http://www.go-fiji.com/marriage.html. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
- ^ "Same-sex marriage in Fiji". Go-fiji.com. http://www.go-fiji.com/marriage.html. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
[edit] External links
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