There were no reports of political or other extrajudicial killings. There were no reports of politically motivated disappearances. Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment Constitutional provisions against torture and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment usually are observed in practice and enforced by the courts. In November 1999, based on a lack of evidence, the presiding magistrate dismissed the case against 18 police officers charged with intentional assault of rioters in Port Vila in January 1998. At year's end, a Supreme Court review of the decision was pending.
Prison conditions are poor.
The central prison in Port Vila is dilapidated and not reliably secured. There are approximately 40 prisoners, all men. Inmates are treated humanely, to the extent allowed by the meager resources of the prison service. The Government permits prison visits by human rights monitors. The Constitution prohibits arbitrary arrest and detention, and there were no reports of such arrests.