UN Calls for Strengthened Anti-Corruption Measures in Solomon Islands
The United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) Implementation Review Group (IRG) has identified several areas where the Solomon Islands can improve its anti-corruption efforts.
Recommendations for Strengthening Anti-Corruption Measures
- Adopt legislation addressing obstruction of justice against justice officials, as provided for in Article 25 of UNCAC
- Clarify the application of the Interpretation Act to laws in force at the time of passage and adopted thereafter, to extend liability to legal persons for UNCAC offences
- Establish effective, proportionate and dissuasive sanctions, including monetary sanctions, that legal persons are subject to for the commission of UNCAC offences
- Strengthen measures to prevent corruption in public procurement processes and ensure transparency in government contracting
Improved Whistleblower Protection and Confidentiality Mechanisms
- Improve whistleblower protection and confidentiality mechanisms to encourage reporting of corruption and related crimes
- Enhance international cooperation and coordination to combat transnational organized crime and money laundering
Extradition Process Review
The IRG also reviewed the Solomon Islands’ extradition process and found that while the country has a comprehensive extradition law in place, there are areas where improvement is needed.
Recommendations for Improving Extradition Process
- Clarify guidelines on the definition of “comity countries” and requirements for evidence-based extraditions
- Consider enforcing sentences imposed by requesting states and explore ways to increase cooperation with other countries to combat transnational crime
Conclusion
The IRG’s recommendations aim to strengthen the Solomon Islands’ anti-corruption efforts and improve its extradition process. The country has been urged to take concrete steps to address these areas, which are critical in the fight against corruption and organized crime.
It is hoped that the Solomon Islands will take seriously the IRG’s recommendations and work towards strengthening its anti-corruption efforts and improving its extradition process.