Solomon Islands: Criminal Networks Operate Under Radar

Organized Crime in the Solomon Islands

A recent report has shed light on the criminal networks operating in the Solomon Islands, revealing that they are likely organized around “hubs” such as logging camps, cities and the porous border area with Bougainville Island.

• Experts suggest that these networks have links to foreign actors, but there is no evidence to support the existence of mafia-style groups in the country.
• Instead, small-time criminal gangs known as “raskol” groups are thought to be the most common form of organized crime.

Corruption: A Major Challenge

Corruption is a major issue in the Solomon Islands, with high bribery rates and grand corruption plaguing the country’s political process. The government has taken steps to address the problem, including:

• The adoption of anti-corruption legislation
• The establishment of an independent commission against corruption

Despite these efforts, corruption remains endemic in the natural resource sectors, with companies often bribing or offering kickbacks to politicians.

Justice System Challenges

The Solomon Islands’ justice system is a hybrid of formal and informal institutions, with community leaders often playing a key role in resolving disputes. While there have been improvements in the work of the formal judicial system, prosecution services still lack capacity and resources to work efficiently.

• The country’s prisons are underfunded, and there is a need for leadership and management capacity building as well as an increased focus on rehabilitation.
• Law enforcement has also struggled with funding issues, despite efforts by international donors to improve standards.

Economic Environment

The Solomon Islands’ economic environment is heavily dependent on the export of primary goods, particularly timber, which has led to money laundering risks stemming from illegal logging and corruption practices. There is no policy framework in place to address these risks, and financial institutions and NGOs are often not properly supervised.

Youth Disenfranchisement

Youth disenfranchisement has also been a major issue, leading to occasional riots targeting those who benefit from the status quo. Labour participation rates are low, leaving young people vulnerable to criminality of a mostly petty nature.

Positive Developments

In a positive development, civil society has been active in the Solomon Islands, including on matters related to crime. Organized sport, churches and affiliated youth groups have had a positive impact on crime reduction, making it difficult for gangs to institutionalize in urban settlements.

Concerns Remain

However, there are still concerns about the safety of victims and witnesses, with specialized facilities lacking and the police unable to adequately protect them. The country’s defamation law also continues to cast a shadow over media freedom, contributing to self-censorship.