The 1968 constitution proclaims that Mauritius is a "democratic state"
and that the constitution is the supreme law of the land. It guarantees
the fundamental rights and freedoms of the people, including the right to
hold private property and to be free from racial or other discrimination.
Fundamental rights can only be suspended during wars or states of
emergency, which must be duly declared by the parliament and reviewed
every six months.
The political structure is patterned to a large extent on the British
system. As in Britain, the political party that can gain support from a
majority in parliament chooses the prime minister, who, along with the
cabinet, wields political power.
The National Assembly (Assemblée Nationale or parliament), the country's
prime law-making body, consists of representatives elected from twenty
three-member constituencies and one twomember district on Rodrigues.
In addition, unlike the British system, eight assembly seats are
apportioned to the "best losers" among the nonelected candidates,
according to their ethnoreligious affiliation--two each for Hindus,
Muslims, Chinese, and the general population. An attempt must be made to
distribute these seats proportionally to the major political parties,
which are expressly referred to in the constitution. The sixty seats from
the constituencies, together with the eight best-loser seats and the two
seats representing Rodrigues, constitute the seventymember parliament or
National Assembly. Parliament may remain in office for a maximum of five
years, unless it is dissolved by a vote of no-confidence or an act of the
prime minister. A constitutional amendment, however, provided that the
first assembly reckon its term from 1971, a de facto term of eight years.
The assembly is responsible for all legislation and appropriations and may
amend the constitution by either a twothirds or three-quarters majority,
depending on the part of the constitution in question. A largely titular
governor general presided over parliament in the name of the British
monarch from independence in 1968 until March 12, 1992, when Mauritius
declared itself a republic. Since then a president, appointed by the prime
minister and ratified by the parliament, has assumed the role of the
governor general.
The constitution also provides for three important commissions--the
Judicial and Legal Service Commission, the Public Services Commission, and
the Police Service Commission--as well as an ombudsman. The commissions
oversee the appointment of government officials; the ombudsman
investigates official misconduct.
The country's legal system is based on the Napoleonic Code and English
common law. The Supreme Court heads the judicial system and has the power
to interpret the constitution and to judge the constitutionality of
legislation brought to its attention. Appointed by the prime minister and
president, the chief justice helps select five other judges on the court.
The Supreme Court also serves as the Court of Criminal Appeal and the
Court of Civil Appeal. Mauritius continues to refer legal and
constitutional matters of undeterminable jurisdiction to Britain's Privy
Council. Lower courts having original jurisdiction over various kinds of
cases include the Intermediate Court, the Industrial Court, and ten
district courts.
The constitution does not specify the form of local government. Port Louis
has a city council, whereas the four townships--Beau Bassin-Rose Hill,
Curepipe, Quatre Bornes, and Vacoas-Phoenix--each has a municipal council.
There are district councils for Pamplemousses-Rivière du Rempart,
Moka-Flacq, and Grand Port-Savanne; 124 village councils; and five parish
councils on Rodrigues. All councils are elected bodies, but the cabinet
occasionally--over much opposition--has suspended municipal elections
because of political unrest. In the August 30, 1992, village elections,
villages each elected twelve village councillors, who then are grouped
into four district councils. In seven of the 124 villages, the candidates
were unopposed. In the remaining villages, 3,577 persons ran for 1,404
seats. The election turnout represented 68 percent of eligible voters.
Local governments depend on the central government for more than 70
percent of their revenues, and only the municipal councils have the power
to levy their own taxes.
|
|
Travel tips in Mauritius
Passports
Passport valid for
at least six months from date of entry required by all. Passports issued
by the Government of Taiwan, homelands of Botsphutatswana, Ciskei, Transkei,
Venda or any other homeland and the Turkish Republic of Cyprus are not
recognized. The holders of such documents can apply for an entry permit
to the Passport and Immigration Officer (see address below).
Note
All visitors must hold valid tickets and documents for their onward or
return journey and adequate funds for their intended length of stay.
Visas
Required by all except the following:
(a) nationals of countries referred to in the chart above for stays up
to three months;
(b) nationals of Commonwealth countries, except nationals of India (see
below) and nationals of Bangladesh, Cameroon, Fiji, India, Nigeria, Pakistan,
Sri Lanka and Swaziland, who do require a visa for stays of up to three
months;
(c) nationals of Bahrain, Hong Kong (SAR), Israel, Kuwait, Liechtenstein,
Monaco, Norway, Oman, Qatar, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, Tunisia,
Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Vatican City and Zimbabwe for stays of up
to three months;
(d) nationals of China (PR), India, Jordan and Lebanon for tourist stays
of up to 15 days;
(e) transit passengers continuing their journey to a third country within
24 hours provided holding valid onward or return documentation and not
leaving the airport.
Types of visa and cost
Tourist, Business and Social, each available as single- or multiple-entry.
Visas are issued free of charge.
Validity
Tourist/Business visas: Up to three months. Applications for extensions
should be made to the relevant authority (see below).
Application to
Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy or High Commission); see Passport/Visa
Information.
Note
(a) Nationals of Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Paraguay can obtain a visa
on arrival for stays of up to three months. (b) Nationals of Korea (Rep)
can obtain a visa on arrival for stays of up to 16 days. (c) Nationals
of Albania, Bulgaria, CIS, Comoro Islands, Fiji, Madagascar and Romania
can obtain a visa on arrival for stays of up to two weeks. Extensions
are possible. These visas can be issued from Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam
International Airport or the Passport and Immigration Office in Port Louis
(see Passport/Visa Information). (d) Nationals of Afghanistan, Algeria,
Congo (Dem Rep), Iraq, Iran, Liberia, Libya, Nigeria, Sudan and Yemen
should obtain a visa before traveling to Mauritius, even if they are on
transit.
Application requirements
(a) Valid passport. (b) Completed application form. (c) Two passport-size
photos. (d) Photocopy of passport page with date of birth. (e) Proof of
sufficient funds (at least US$50 per day or equivalent, or at least US$100
per day for some other nationals). (f) Proof of accommodation such as
hotel booking or letter of invitation. (g) Self-addressed stamped envelope.
(h) Appropriate documents for the next destination, including return or
onward tickets.
Working days required
Varies according to nationality of applicant. Most can be issued within
seven days but can take up to one month.
Temporary residence
Residence permits are issued by the Passport and Immigration Officer,
Sterling House, Lislet Geoffrey Street, Port Louis (tel: 210 9312-9).
Work permits are necessary for those taking up employment.
Passport/Visa Information
Mauritius High Commission in the UK
32-33 Elvaston Place, London SW7 5NW, UK
Tel: (020) 7581 0294-8.
E-mail: londonmhc@btinternet.com
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0930-1200 (consular section); 0930-1700 (general
enquiries).
Also deals with tourism enquiries.
Embassy of Mauritius in the USA
4301 Connecticut Avenue, Suite 441, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 244 1491/2.
Website: http://ncb.intnet.mu
Also deals with enquiries from Canada.
Most visits to Mauritius are trouble-free but you should be aware of the
global risk of indiscriminate international terrorist attacks, which could
be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners.
Drug trafficking carries severe penalties.
This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth
Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation
can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organizations
for the latest travel advice:
British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Tel: (0845) 850 2829.
Website: www.fco.gov.uk
US Department of State
Website: http://travel.state.gov/travel
Food & drink
Water used for drinking should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilized.
Bottled water is readily available. Milk is unpasteurized and should be
boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised, but make
sure that it is reconstituted with pure water. Avoid dairy products which
are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Vegetables should be
cooked and fruit peeled.
Other risks
Diarrhoeal diseases, giardiasis, dysentery and typhoid fever are common.
African trypanosomiasis (African sleeping sickness), Rift Valley fever,
Bilharzia (schistosomiasis), leishmaniasis, dengue, filariasis and onchocerciasis
are present. Rickettsial infections can be contracted. Meningococcal Meningitis
is a risk from December to June. Avoid swimming and paddling in fresh
water; swimming pools which are well chlorinated and maintained are safe.
Hepatitis A, B and E occur.
Health care
Public medical facilities are numerous and of a high standard and there
are several private clinics. All treatment at state-run hospitals is free
for Mauritians, but foreign visitors have to pay. There is no reciprocal
health agreement with the UK; health insurance is advised.
Note
For travelers applying for a working visa or permanent residence, an HIV
test will be required.
|
|
Hotels Mauritius, useful list of direct links to accomodation websites
in Mauritiu; hotels, resorts, appartments and bungalows; MAURITIUS DEEP
SEA FISHING
Mauritius is a paradise for deep sea fishing. Species include the blue or
black marlin, all types of sharks, yellow tuna, the Bonitos, the ‘emperor’,
the ‘pélerin’, the ‘bécune’ or the barracuda.
Huge fishes like the Blue Marlin roam our seas and hunt around the island
from November to April, and very often until May.
The ocean is 70 metres deep one kilometre away from the coast. Mauritius
holds several world fishing records (IGFA), including that of the mako
shark of 1115 pounds, the blue shark of 400 pounds, a bonito of 41.5
pounds, a white tuna of 224 pounds and a ‘bécune’ of 125 pounds.
African records (GFUA) mention a yellow tuna of 212 pounds and a white
tuna of 224 pounds. Other specimens recently caught include blue marlins
of 1430 and 1355 pounds. Fishing boats can be hired from almost all hotels.
The most prestigious deep sea fishing competition is the Marlin World Cup
which is hosted in December by La Pirogue Hotel.
|