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The Cook Islands’ recent historic decision to decriminalise homosexuality has prompted a response on Deputy Prime Minister Carmel’s Sepuloni’s Pacific Mission.
Sepuloni is on a three-country Pacific with a delegation that will take in the Solomon Islands, Fiji and Tonga.
During a joint press conference early this week in the Solomons capital Honiara, the country’s Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele gave his view on that decision to local and New Zealand media.
Minister Manele acknowledged that while it was an important question to consider, he says the Solomon Islands is a Christian country.
“We are defined by Christian values and principles, and I think it’s important that other countries recognise that,” he says.
“So for the moment our christian values and principals are key for us and we ask countries to recognise and acknowledge the cultural values of countries as well.”
Deputy Prime Minister Sepuloni says, while she recognises what a historic decision it is for the Cook Islands, she respects that Pacific nations will have their own perspectives and it is up to them to decide what is best for their countries.
The Cook Islands parliament last week passed a law which repealed provisions in its Crimes Act that decriminalised homosexuality. Under the Crimes Act 1969, homosexuality was punishable by up to five years in jail.
