Financial Crime World

The Solomon Islands: A Country Struggling with Organized Crime, Corruption, and Poor Governance

Organized Crime

The Solomon Islands is a country in the Pacific that has struggled with issues related to organized crime. The current laws related to organized crime are inadequate and require updating.

  • Money laundering risks primarily stem from proceeds generated from illegal logging, IUU fishing, and related corruption practices.
  • Authorities have failed to address these gaps, leaving the country vulnerable to financial crimes.

Criminal Justice and Security

The justice sector in the Solomon Islands is a hybrid of formal and informal institutions. While improvements have been made in the work of the formal judicial system, prosecution services still face capacity and resource challenges. Law enforcement has benefited from international funding and training, but persistent funding issues remain.

  • Prisons are underfunded, despite evidence suggesting that investment in facilities is needed to improve the overall justice sector.
  • The police require additional support to adequately protect witnesses and provide specialized facilities for victims.

Economic and Financial Environment

The Solomon Islands’ economy is heavily dependent on the export of primary goods, primarily timber. Diversification and sophistication are lacking, making it challenging to do business in the country due to a poor economic regulatory framework.

  • The country’s geographical constraints make it difficult for institutions to exercise sovereignty equally throughout the region.
  • Labour participation rates are low, leaving young people vulnerable to petty criminality.

Civil Society and Social Protection

A nationwide crime prevention strategy is being implemented, with crime prevention committees set up across various locations. However, specialized facilities for victims and witnesses are lacking, and the police face challenges in adequately protecting witnesses.

  • Press freedom is respected, but government officials have used both legal and extra-legal measures to coerce journalists.
  • Youth disenfranchisement in politics, society, and the economy has led to riots targeting property.