Article 5 of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations 1963 governs a Consulate’s role in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and its functions include protecting the interests of Vanuatu citizens in the UAE and the region within the limits permitted by international law.
It also includes furthering the development of commercial, economic, cultural and scientific relations between Vanuatu and the UAE and otherwise promoting friendly relations between the two countries in accordance with the provisions of Convention.
It also includes ascertaining by all lawful means conditions and developments in the commercial, economic, cultural and scientific life of the receiving State, reporting thereon to the Government of the sending State and giving information to persons interested.
Other roles include:
1. Assisting with passports and travel documents for Vanuatu citizens, and visas or appropriate documents for people wishing to travel to Vanuatu,
2. Assisting Vanuatu citizens with births, deaths and marriages as well as with burial or cremation and repatriation of its deceased citizens,
3. Performing certain functions of an administrative nature, provided that there is nothing contrary in the laws and regulations of the UAE,
4. Safeguarding, within the limits imposed by the laws and regulations of the UAE, the interests of minors and other persons lacking full capacity who are Vanuatu nationals, particularly where any guardianship or trusteeship is required with respect to such persons,
5. Recommending legal representation for Vanuatu citizens and nationals who need this whether they are arrested or under investigation,
6. Assisting with transmitting judicial and extrajudicial documents or executing letters as needed by Vanuatu courts in accordance with international agreements in force or, in the absence of such international agreements, in any other manner compatible with the laws and regulations of the UAE,
7. Assisting with vessels from Vanuatu and of aircrafts registered in Vanuatu, and in respect of their crew and conducting investigations into any incidents which occurred during the voyage, and settling disputes of any kind between the master, the officers and the seamen insofar as this may be authorized by the laws and regulations of Vanuatu
8. Providing and Updating travel advisories for the area of responsibility and the region. This also includes ensuring all Vanuatu citizens register on our website with their contact details so we can stay in touch in times of need.
Limits on what the Vanuatu Consulate can do:
Please note that contrary to popular belief, there are limits on the services a Consulate can provide. A Consulate’s role is mainly advisory providing you with a list of lawyers when you fall foul of the law and we can inform you family if you wish. During emergencies, such as natural disasters and civil unrest, we can provide you with information and assist you where we are able to for example issuing emergency travel documents in conjunction with the passport office in Vanuatu. We can also assist you with the repatriation of a deceased person’s remains or cremation where the first step after obtaining a death certificate in the UAE is the cancellation of a deceased persons passport.
What the Consulate cannot do
The Vanuatu Consulate cannot pay for any emergency situations such as medical bills, court fines, travel or hotel costs, bad debts, funerals, lawyers bills etc.
The Consulate also cannot be involved in personal matters such as resolving immigration issues, personal and business loans and business deals. They cannot negotiate for your release from custody or jail for crimes committed or violation of the law and they cannot assist you to depart or leave the country you reside in.
Please abide by the laws of the UAE and Internationally. Where you fail to obey local and international laws, you can expect the full brunt of the law. Should you break the law, as Vanuatu citizens, we can assist you with regards to recommendations on specialised lawyers who can assist you but otherwise, the Consulate cannot do anything else apart from this.
For Further information, you can reach us on:
Contact@vanuatuconsulateuae.com
(Landline): +971 (04) 432 5888
(Emergency Mobile): +971 (052) 447 8835
