Human rights in Solomon Islands
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Solomon Islands is a sovereign country in Melanesia consisting of many islands with a population of 561,231 (2013). It became self-governing from the United Kingdom in 1976 after three previous attempts at forming a Constitution.[1] The Constitution of Solomon Islands was enacted in 1978. This however led to conflicts between cultures and armed conflict in the late 1990s forced a review of the 1978 Constitution.[2] This review resulted in the Federal Constitution of the Solomon Islands Bill 2004 (SI) and various other amendments. The Human Rights Chapter, however, remained unchanged.
As per The Constitution of Solomon Islands Statutory Instruments[3] Chapter II outlines the Fundamental Rights and Freedoms of the Individual:
- Fundamental Rights and Freedoms of the Individual
- Protection of Right to Life
- Protection of Right to Personal Liberty
- Protection from Slavery and Forced Labour
- Protection from Inhumane Treatment
- Protection from Deprivation of Property
- Protection for Privacy of Home and other Property
- Provisions to secure Protection of Law
- Protection of Freedom of Conscience
- Protection of Freedom of Expression
- Protection of Freedom of Assembly and Association
- Protection of Freedom of Movement
- Protection from Discrimination of Grounds of Race Etc.
- Provisions for periods of Public Emergency
- Compensation for Contravention of Rights and Freedoms
- Enforcement of Protective Provisions
- Interpretations and Savings
However, there are Human Rights concerns and issues in regards to education, water, sanitation, women and persons who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT)