25.
The news media cannot be used as an organ of propaganda in Pitcairn because the Island has in fact no radio, television, or, in the accepted sense, newspapers. A cyclostyled news sheet produced locally on a regular basis is concerned only with parochial trivia and does not publish information in the nature of official or political comment. Moreover, the editorial policy of the news sheet is not in any way controlled by the local government or the administering Power. It is concerned with social information at a personal level and is incapable of use as an organ of propaganda.
Article 21
26. A question was asked during examination of the United Kingdom's second report on its dependent territories about the discretionary powers of commissioners of police in the dependent territories in respect of conduct of public meetings (CCPR/C/SR.857, para. 64). There is no commissioner of police in Pitcairn. In practice, the function the police is minimal. The sole Island police officer persistently reports on a periodic basis that there are no complaints pending. His practical duties are confined to ensuring security of official premises at night-time.
Article 22
27. There is no law in force in Pitcairn which restricts the right of freedom of association. The Trade Unions and Trade Disputes Ordinance (cap. 14) provides for the formation and registration of trade unions without restriction. Part II of the Ordinance provides for the registration of trade unions, and part III is concerned with determination of trade disputes. The Ordinance does not confer power on the Governor or the Administration to control the actions of any trade union or its members with respect to the freedom of assembly of persons.
Article 23
28.
The law in force on Pitcairn does not permit or recognize inequality between married persons in any respect during marriage or upon the dissolution of such marriage, including the division of matrimonial property. No legal differences in the rights of legitimate or illegitimate children exist under the laws of Pitcairn. It is not possible to provide information regarding family planning as an official programme on Pitcairn, although advice at a personal level is always available from the officer in charge of nursing services on the Island, and contraceptives are provided free of charge.
29.
Article 24
There has been no necessity to enact local legislation in Pitcairn specifically for the protection of children, so that the statutes of the Parliament of the United Kingdom for the protection of children and young persons apply in Pitcairn. The law in force as at 1 January 1983 extends to the Islands so far as local circumstances and the limits of local jurisdiction permit.
30. The right of every child born in the Islands to acquire the status of a British Dependent Territories Citizen is governed by the British Nationality Act 1981.