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Organized Crime and Social Protection in Solomon Islands

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Overview

The state of organized crime, economic and financial environment, civil society, and social protection in Solomon Islands are discussed below.

Law Enforcement: Challenges and Limitations

RSIPF’s Scope of Operations

  • The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) is effectively limited to the capital city, Honiara.
  • Its responsibilities extend beyond standard policing duties, including clearing munitions, fire service, disaster relief, and maritime surveillance.

Economic and Financial Environment: Risks and Challenges

Money Laundering Risks

  • Money laundering risks are present due to illegal logging, corruption, and fishing.
  • Authorities have a limited understanding of these risks and an inadequate policy framework to address them.
  • The country needs to improve its regulatory framework, implementation, and preventative measures to combat money laundering.

Impact of COVID-19

Economic Contraction and Recovery

  • The pandemic caused a contraction in the economy, but there are signs of a fragile recovery driven by opportunities in mining, agriculture, fishing, and tourism.
  • Labour market conditions have worsened, and progress in poverty reduction and human development has been disrupted.

Civil Society and Social Protection: Efforts and Challenges

Victim Protection

  • The government has made efforts to protect trafficking victims, including updating victim identification and referral procedures.
  • However, full implementation is lacking, and victim protection is hindered by a lack of trafficking-specific services and temporary residence permits for foreign victims.

Civil Society in Solomon Islands

  • Civil society in Solomon Islands encompasses various groups.
  • There are some threats to public debate, such as the defamation law and Indonesian diplomatic pressure.

Crime Prevention: Progress and Initiatives

National Action Plan Against Human Trafficking and People Smuggling

  • The government has taken steps in crime prevention through the adoption of a national action plan against human trafficking and people smuggling.
  • Local civil society-led interventions have contributed to a significant reduction in crime and violence over the last decade.