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 the presiding magistrate dismissed the case against 18 police officers charged with intentional assault of rioters in Port Vila in January 1998. The public prosecutor has appealed to the Supreme Court to reinstate the case.
Prison conditions are poor.
As a result of criticism of prison conditions following the 1998 riots, the Government closed the main prison in Port Vila, moved the male prisoners there to a smaller, somewhat better constructed building, and arranged for the incarceration of female prisoners in one apartment in the unmarried policewomen's barracks. The prison on Tanna Island was painted and cleaned by a church youth group using materials donated by local companies. The prison buildings in Port Vila and Luganville are in poor condition. Apart from the dilapidated state of the prison buildings, prisoners appear to be treated humanely. The Government permits prison visits by human rights monitors.