Through the new Fiji National Crimes Decree on 1 February 2010, Fiji became the first Pacific Island nation with colonial-era sodomy laws to formally decriminalize homosexuality, reports UNAIDS. The new Crimes Decree removes all clauses about "sodomy" and "unnatural acts" and uses gender neutral language in the remainder of the sexual offences section.

"'We’d like to congratulate the Government of Fiji on taking a bold step by removing the punitive law,' said Stuart Watson, the Pacific Coordinator of UNAIDS.

'This reform is an important milestone towards achieving a rights-respecting legal framework, not only for men who have sex with men but the entire community in Fiji.'"

The legislation comes nine years after the 2001 murders in Suva of gay residents and partners, John Scott and Gregory Scrivener. Mr. Scott was the Director General of the Fiji Red Cross. In the 2005 book "Deep Beyond the Reef," Mr. Scott's brother, Owen, examines the killings of the men within the context of the Scott family history in Fiji, the political crises that have marked the island nation's history, and the mix of tribal authority and democracy commonly found in the South Pacific. The book is the basis of the 2008 critically acclaimed documentary film from New Zealander Annie Goldson, An Island Calling, for which I have posted the trailer, below.