government: parliamentary democracy

state of civil and political rights:

constitution: 4 August 1965; amended many times, last in 2004

legal system: common law similar to New Zealand common law; has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration (New Zealand normally retains responsibility for external affairs)

legislative system: unicameral Parliament, formerly the Legislative Assembly

judicial system: Court of Appeal (consists of the chief justice and 3 judges of the High Court); High Court (consists of the chief justice and at least 4 judges and organized into civil, criminal, and land divisions); appeals beyond the Cook Islands Court of Appeal are heard by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London); justices of the peace

religion: Protestant 62.8% (Cook Islands Christian Church 49.1%, Seventh Day Adventist 7.9%, Assemblies of God 3.7%, Apostolic Church 2.1%), Roman Catholic 17%, Church of Jesus Christ 4.4%, other 8%, none 5.6%, no response 2.2% (2011 est.)

death row:

year of last executions: 0-0-0

death sentences: 0

executions: 0