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Development of reparation policy for Solomon Islands

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Participants during the reparation frame work consultation workshop.

BY GEORGE MANFORD

AUKI

Participants during the reparation frame work consultation workshop.

INTERNATIONAL consultant engaged by UNDP for the reparation framework consultation Mr Patrick Burgees yesterday informed workshop participants about transitional justice (TJ) and reparation in Auki.

According to the United Nations Mr Burgees said transitional justice is an approach that includes all of the steps taken by a society to address a history of mass human rights violations.

This includes the four pillars of a transition justice framework, prosecution of those most responsible, seeking the truth about what had happen, providing reparations to victims and reforming institutions and society in order to guarantee that the violations do not recur.

The Solomon Islands has made considerable progress towards peace and healing after the damage caused by the tension.

This has led to a stable and secure environment that is essential for development.

Burgees added, achievements in terms of the four pillars of the transition justice framework include prosecution, truth, reform and preventing recurrence and reparation.

The primary duty of a government is to protect its citizens from harm.

When mass human rights violation are committed the state has fail in its duty to protect.

He also stated it therefore has an obligation to try to repair the lives of the victims.

This is always a very difficult task that resources to assist are in most cases very limited.

The number of victims are hundreds, thousands, and sometimes in the millions and it is important that limited resources available are used to help the victims of the most serious violations and those victims who are most vulnerable, the sick, disable, poor and mentally disturbed.

In many counties the relatively small amount of funds available for reparation have been largely wasted because the mechanisms established are not effective or are open to corruption, nepotism and political influence. Great care has to be taken in establishing a reparation programme to ensure that the help gets most deserving and needy victims.

Solomon Islands sign grant for facility to improve transport projects

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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THE Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of Solomon Islands yesterday signed a grant agreement to fund a new facility which will finance the design and implementation readiness of the government’s priority transport projects.

The agreement establishing the Transport Sector Project Development Facility was signed by Solomon Islands Permanent Secretary for Finance and Treasury, Harry Kuma and ADB’s Pacific Liaison and Coordination Office Regional Director Ms Emma Fan at a ceremony in Honiara during a visit by members of the Board of Directors of ADB to the country. ADB Executive Directors Mr In-chang Song, Mr Tony McDonald, Mr Syurkani Ishak Kasim, Mr Shahid Mahmood, Mr Philip Rose, Mr Kris Panday, Mr Mahbub Ahmed, and Mr Enrique Galan witnessed the event.

“The Ministry of Infrastructure Development, Solomon Islands Port Authority, and the Ministry of Communication and Aviation will all benefit from the facility, which will help deliver projects faster and improve connectivity in the country,” said Mr Kuma.

“ADB’s activities in the transport sector in Solomon Islands are delivering safe, efficient, and reliable intermodal links to connect people with the resources and opportunities they need to thrive,” said Ms Fan.

“The new facility will help us better support the long-term sustainability of our investment in transport in Solomon Islands.”

The Transport Sector Project Development Facility, which was approved in September by ADB’s Board of Directors, will prepare feasibility studies and designs for transport projects, provide implementation support for procurement and social safeguard activities at the beginning of the project cycle, and provide training for project implementing agencies.

The facility will help increase investment in the transport sector, preserve key assets, reduce delays in project implementation, and improve the quality of project designs.

ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty.

Established in 1966, it is owned by 67 members—48 from the region. In 2017, ADB operations totaled $32.2 billion, including $11.9 billion in co-financing.

–ADB PRESS

Tikopian delegation off to France

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Chief Gifty Tinamo in the center with delegation before departed to France on Thursday.

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

 

Chief Gifty Tinamo in the center with delegation before departed to France on Thursday.

THE small island of Tikopia and its way of life will be viewed in one of Paris’s famous cinemas, God Planet Foundation. This documentary will be viewed by an audience in Europe together with the chiefs from Tikopia.

For the first time, 39-year-old Chief Gifty Tinamo from Tikopia and five other chiefs representing each tribe in Tikopia will travel to Europe to be a part of the viewers when the documentary airs.

The film itself was documented about the way of life of the Tikopian people, their connection to the environment and culture.

In Paris, the chief and his delegation will also have the opportunity to meet with individual journalists and the media.

The documentary was created in 2015 as follow-up from the book written by Firth, Raymond William— We, the Tikopia: a sociological study of kinship in primitive Polynesia.

Mr Daniel Fenua who is behind the arrangement said in the documentary film chief Tinamo has played the main character and the organisers requested his attendance.

He said an important aspect of the documentary is the challenges that the people face.

“It is not only about the culture and people from Tikopia,” he said.

For example, environment, particularly impact of climate change has affected the people’s livelihood.

This was also covered in the film, he adds.

In seeing the importance of the Tikopian’s way of life through the storyboard, the film director requested the chief and his delegation for the premier screening. This is for viewers to see the characters while at the same time, meet the people as well.

With such trip, Fenua said it is the first time for a Tikopian chief to travel abroad. “This will go down in the history for the Tikopian community in Solomon Islands,” Fenua said.

As a person who strongly supports the trip, Ms Freda Tuki said she is excited their arrangement has been successful.

She said the documentary will portray Tikopia’s culture and history where Tokopians can also learn from.

The trip is self-funded and initiated by the people themselves.

The screening is on October 27 at God Planet Foundation in Paris.

November 5, there will be a big premiere in Paris cinema and another screening on Nov 6 in Strasbourg.

The chiefs left Honiara on Thursday for France.

SI stands with UN to maintain global peace

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Deputy Prime Minister of Solomon Islands Mr Manasseh Sogavare.

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

Deputy Prime Minister of Solomon Islands Mr Manasseh Sogavare.

SOLOMON Islands has pledged its stand to support United Nations to maintain global peace.

This sentiment was uttered by the Deputy Prime Minister of Solomon Islands Mr Manasseh Sogavare during the celebration of UN Day at National Auditorium on Wednesday this week.

Mr Sogavare said underpinning the formation of the United Nations is the need to maintain global peace, and Solomon Islands have been part of the process.

Following the support towards UN charter, Sogavare who is known as a UN champion for global peace and climate change said the UN efforts in peacekeeping remain important and must be supported.

He said, “Underpinning the formation of the United Nations is the need to maintain global peace.”

With UN efforts for global peace, Sogavare said Solomon Islands is proud to be a contributing country to UN Peacekeeping efforts by sending 12 police officers to South Sudan.

He said deploying the 12 officers towards the United Nations African mission in South Sudan is the country’s commitment towards achieving global peace and security.

Sogavare also adds that the country’s own experience with dealing with conflict and having benefitted from the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) instils a sense of appreciation for the value of peacekeeping missions.

He adds, the serving of the country’s 12 officers is a proof of reliance, and a demonstration of just how much Solomon Islands can offer the global community.

“Solomon Islands are an ardent believer in collective action. We are staunch supporters of multilateralism. Without the United Nations, Small Islands States like Solomon Islands would have no voice on global issues,” he said.

Meanwhile, 40 years of country’s membership with UN, Sogavare said Solomon Islands have seen impact of working together on global issues.

Through collective efforts Solomon Islands are able to join the global community battle Climate Change, Law of the Sea, Health, Refugees, Humanitarian Assistance, that are championed by the UN, he said.

UNDP Solomon Islands Country Manager Ms Azusa Kubota commended Solomon Islands for being a strong advocate on the causes and values on what UN stand for.

She commends SIG particularly for exemplary roles played as a member of the global community, in the inter-governmental processes such as the ongoing UN reform discussions and UN peacebuilding commission.

Ms Kubota also acknowledges development partners, civil society, academics and private sector for sharing the passion and commitment with UN for a better future.

“The magnitude of challenges we face in today’s globalized world requires all of us working together. It is not about competition. We need to focus on the issues at hand and focus on delivering results,” she said.

PM discusses new development proposals with ADB

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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ADB Board Members paid a courtesy visit to the PM today to discuss ongoing and proposed opportunities with the Prime Minister
ADB Board Members paid a courtesy visit to the PM today to discuss ongoing and proposed opportunities with the Prime Minister

PRIME Minister Rick Houenipwela has met with the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Board of Directors at the Office of the Prime Minister & Cabinet yesterday.

The Prime Minister took the opportunity to thank the ADB Board for their continuous support to Solomon Islands over the years.

“ADB has been with us for more than 40 years and has continued to support Solomon Islands in its development aspirations,” he said.

Prime Minister Hou also acknowledged ADB for its contributions in the transport, infrastructure and energy sector.

He said ADB’s support to the Tina Hydro Project is expected to reduce electricity costs in the country and also improve sustainable energy in the country.

“I also welcome ADB’s interest to advance projects in the energy sector to other provinces,” he said.

Mr Hou has also shared the Government’s vision for the next five years as the Government embarks on huge infrastructure projects ahead of the 2023 Pacific Games.

The Prime Minister said the road transportation project under ADB will be one of those important development infrastructures.

“Apart from that, I am also pleased to note that ADB has also embarked on wharf projects around the country. This is one of the most important infrastructure in Solomon Islands especially for our people in the rural areas,” he said.

ADB’s Board of Director’s Team Leader In-Chang Song on behalf of the ADB Board thank the Prime Minister for availing his time to meet with them.

Mr Song said ADB is always pleased to be supporting the advancement and the development aspirations of the Solomon Islands.

Song also informed the Prime Minister of ADB’s emerging Strategy 2030 and discuss how ADB is looking towards improving their modalities of knowledge sharing and the delivery of financial products.

He said they also had site visits to ADB supported energy, urban and infrastructure projects.

“We also had interactions with project beneficiaries, met with civil society groups and private sector representatives,” he said.

Prime Minister Hou and the ADB Board of Directors also discussed new and important development opportunities that ADB and Solomon Islands will explore.

After the meeting, the Prime Minister, Cabinet ministers and the ADB Board also witnessed the signing of a grant agreement between the Asian Development Bank and the Solomon Islands Government.

The visiting ADB Executive Directors are Mr In-chang Song, Mr Tony McDonald, Mr Syurkani Ishak Kasim, Mr Shahid Mahmood, Mr Philip Rose, Mr Kris Panday, Mr Mahbub Ahmed, and Mr Enrique Galan.

–OPMC PRESS

Diet contributes to high rate of breast cancer

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Dr Li introduces KMUH's Breast Center.

BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

Dr Li introduces KMUH’s Breast Center.

WITH an increase in breast cancer cases in the country, especially in young women, being able to carry out self-breast examination and identifying signs is very important, says Surgeon Dr Chung-Liang Li from Taiwan’s Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital’s (KMUH) Division of Breast Surgery.

Speaking to the media in an interview at the Taiwan Health Centre (THC) yesterday, he said that it is vital that women are educated about the process.

Henceforth, Dr Li said if they carry out the process and find any abnormalities of the breast whether in mass or how painful it is or nipple discharge, they should go to a clinic for examination.

“I think educating women about these things is very important,” he said

Li went on to emphasise that the kind of diet women follow is also crucial and can lead to a high breast cancer rate.

He stated that a diet of full of red meat like pork or beef, too much rice, oily foods and too much sugar can lead to high risks of breast cancer.

SIEC denies arrest claims on former official

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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A newly eligible voter being registered under the biometric voter registration system which involved an electronic kit (machines), during the registration period that was conducted last month.

By Gary Hatigeva

THE Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC) has denied claims that one of their officials was arrested in relation to manipulative activities within its operation to recruit field officers.

Island Sun was told that an official of the commission was arrested last week following issues raised over claims of fishy recruitments of people that have not met requirements to be engaged in the voter registration process, which had drawn worries among voters.

This paper was also informed that a good number of those recruited for the registration programme were computer or technology illiterate, as data collection are electronically compiled and stored, using mostly electronic machines.

Many including former registration officers in the recent programme, claimed that there were others who have poor grammar and writing skills, let alone spelling, which also raised a lot of concerns that the data collected might not be as accurate or could be filled with errors and missing details.

This was something, many have allegedly linked to the arrest, as many of those highlighted, were said to have been used an official, to raise extra bucks from them.

However, a senior official spoken to (name withheld) denied the claims, but confirm that there was an SIEC officer who was terminated by the Public Service but nothing in relation to the recruitment of Registration officers as was rumoured “and was not arrested either”.

A newly eligible voter being registered under the biometric voter registration system which involved an electronic kit (machines), during the registration period that was conducted last month.

The official clarified that the termination was based on the 2016 and 17 Public Service disciplinary charges for misbehaviour at the office which included harassment, drunk and disorderly and disturbances at the office premises.

The official however admitted that it could be true a few of the recruited registrations officers might have under-performed at start however, working in a team of three has helped them pick up on their performances, a point many thought was still questionable as they should have never been recruited in the first instance.

“This is not a village programme or a school assignment we are talking about here, it is a national program that deals with matters of this country, such as an important event like the National General Election,” a disappointed voter expressed following the arrest claims.

Meanwhile, the official reiterated that the registration process is still ongoing and in the coming weeks the list will be put up for public’s viewing and inspection, “and therefore, would like to ask the public to look out and make sure check that all their details are correct”.

“The provisional list will be on display starting on October 29 and will remain until November 20, and if they have any complaints or identify spelling error that needs correction, do submit their complaint/correction by filing an objection to omission or objection to inclusion claim to make that correction.

“The omission and objection period will start on November 7 to November 20, and the public is asked to check the list and submit any final correction for consideration before it is finalised,” the SIEC official reiterated.

Plans for next UN deployment underway

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

POLICE Commissioner Matthew Varley revealed yesterday that they are working on plans for future RSIPF deployment to the United Nations peacekeeping mission.

Mr Varley said they have strong support and commitment from the Solomon Islands Government that UN deployment mission is a worthwhile contribution by RSIPF to the world stage.

He said the second deployment group came back on Tuesday this week while the third group is still in Dafur.

He said yesterday they had the privilege to welcome back the four officers, this was the second RSIPF to UN mission since they started sending officers to the UN mission back in 2017.

The officers returned back on Tuesday after spending 12 months in Dafur with the UN Mission, Varley said.

A parade was hosted to welcome back the officers at the Rove Police Headquarters and the four returning officers were presented with the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force international Law Enforcement Cooperation medal.

“This is a commissioner’s medal that recognises the service of our officers in designated overseas mission including the UN.

“It is a very proud moment for us to welcome home these officers and presented them with that award.” Varley said

He said the important thing is the organization recognised their service on behalf of the people of the people of Solomon islands they have been flying the Solomon Islands flag in the UN.

He also said that there are three officers currently in the UN mission in Dafur and those three left in May this year and their 12 month term will lap in May 2019.

“We have come a long way since the end of RAMSI and it’s an opportunity for Solomon Islands and RSIPF to give back to the world stage and our service has been recognised and it is our contribution to National Security,” Varley said.

NRH in need of more surgeons

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Dr Li performing an operation for breast cancer with Dr. Scott

BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

Dr Li performing an operation for breast cancer with Dr. Scott

WHILE there are very good surgeons at the National Referral Hospital (NRH), we need more surgeons as this is one of the challenges experienced at the hospital.

The above was expressed by resident doctor from Taiwan, Dr Chung-Liang Li from Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital’s (KMUH) Division of Breast Surgery who came to provide his services at NRH for the month of October.

He said while working at the hospital he has observed some obstacles which are the lack of space, equipment and not enough number of surgeons.

Dr Li stresses that the first challenge is that the operation room is not big enough and when combined with at times, the shortage of equipment and surgeons, operations can be delayed.

He mentioned that while the surgeons are very good the hospital is still in need of more of them.

Li who will conclude his journey on Oct 31 also left a word of advice for local surgeons at the National Referral Hospital.

Initially, he says the work of a surgeon is very tiring, a task where one has to take care of a person and perform surgery.

Nevertheless, Li said after surgery, a surgeon must understand the case and data of his or her patient so that it can be of help when treating the next patient whose case may be relatable to the first.

He adds that the surgeons should also take the time to collect data from their patients, read and make comparisons with data from other countries to know about other methods that are applied to deal with a case similar to theirs.

Continuous drink driving cases frustrate police

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

POLICE Commissioner Matthew Varley has again reminded drivers to be responsible.

He said last week 232 cars were checked and 17 drivers were found to be over the legal limit of alcohol in their blood.

He said the report makes him angry and sad that those drivers are still not getting the message seriously.

Mr Varley said innocent lives have taken due to drink and drive offences and he said it seems that drivers do not care about the loss of lives caused by careless drink-drivers.

He said police alone cannot deal with the issue but families and friends must be responsible, “if you see your friend or your family going into a car drunk and wanted to drive step in and take off the keys”.

“Remind and educate all drivers to avoid accidents, 17 drivers last week with presence of alcohol in their blood is high and people must start to realise that if you are and driving a vehicle will cost some innocent lives.

“Therefore be responsible don’t drink and drive,” Mr Varley said.

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