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Support human rights defenders

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), a leading UN entity on human rights has globally documented at least 34 women human rights defenders killed in conflict-affected countries in 2022.

“But this is likely only a fraction of the real number,’’ said OHCHR Pacific Regional Office Regional Representative, Ms Heike Alefsen.

Heike said that according to data gathered by OHCHR Global in 2023, 320 human rights defenders, journalists and trade unionists in 40 countries were killed.

“Many of them while protecting nature and the environment,’’ she said.

She said that women human rights defenders from the Pacific have been demanding tailored support given the specific obstacles and threats they face.

“Such as violence from sorcery-related accusations, discriminatory customary laws and policies, restrictive legislation, gender-based violence, and sexualised online harassment and bullying,’’ said Heike.

She said that women human rights defenders face sorcery and witchcraft accusations while defending human rights.

She said that while sorcery accusations can be levelled at both men and women, most of the victims of violence have been women.

“With authoritarianism and repression increasing around the world, and in the context of the record the rights to freedom of expression, to assembly and association, in particular peaceful protest, are also under attack,’’ she said.

She said that human rights defenders are sometimes attacked or intimated for engaging with the UN on various issues.

“Each year the UN Secretary-General prepares and presents a report to the Human Rights Council titled “Cooperation with the United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights”.

“These reports provide an update on the trends and subject of intimidation and reprisals for cooperation with the UN from 2015 to 2024 and you can find these reports on the OHCHR website. I urge you to use these UN mechanisms and have your say in shaping a shaper world for the human rights defenders,’’ she said.

Human rights defenders visionary agents of change

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Human rights defenders see a better future for all and know how to make that future a reality said Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) for the Pacific, Ms. Heike Alefsen.

Heike said when delivering her key remarks during the Pacific Human Rights Defenders Network (PHRDN) workshop on Tuesday this week at the Heritage Park Hotel.

The Pacific Human Rights Defenders Network (PHRDN) organized the workshop with funding from the Swiss Embassy based in Canberra.

The three-day event aims to initiate discussions on developing National Action Plans (NAP) for HRD protection. This workshop will build on the knowledge from the Vanuatu workshop in February 2024.

“It is my pleasure to start my remarks for this important gathering with a quote from our United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Tuerk. 

“We all have the right – and the responsibility – to defend human rights. This was the simple yet powerful idea behind the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, adopted by the General Assembly 50 years after that same body adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR),’’ said Heike.

She said that it is defenders who continue to make human rights a priority during these challenging times, with conflicts raging in various parts of the world and increasing inequalities in and between countries globally.

“But also, in situations closer to home in the Pacific where HRDs monitor and speak out about trends in backsliding on democratic freedoms and the rights of indigenous peoples, pressure on social protection funding, lack of equal distribution of resources to communities left most behind, distressing levels of violence against women and children, violations of human rights often despite limited resources or funds,’’ she said.

She said that Human Rights Defenders must be recognized for the value they bring to democracies and societies. 

She said that while some Governments may be taking a selective approach to human rights, Pacific HRDs face a multitude of risks from being targeted through online and offline hate speech.

“Constraints on freedom of assembly and difficulty in obtaining legal recognition for their associations, as well as in some cases, arbitrary arrest and detention, harassment, torture and worse.  Women human rights defenders in the Pacific are often seen as defying social or religious norms and threatening social and customary structures, and sometimes face attacks by both government and non-state actors, both offline and online,’’ she said.

Rape case committed to high court for trial

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BY ROMINAH FAKA

Magistrate court has committed the case of a man alleged of raping his nephew for trial at the High Court.

In ruling of the committal hearing yesterday the presiding magistrate found there was Prima facie case on the evidence of Record of Interview of the accused where he made admissions, the medical report, statement of the victim and other witnesses and photo album.

Court adjourns to October 25 for mention at High Court.

On the previous hearing, the accused plead not guilty to rape and his lawyer opted for short form preliminary inquiry.

The victim is a 14-year-old boy.

The relationship with the accused and the victim is that, the accuse is the uncle of the victim.

Prosecution alleged on June 16 this year, at Honiara Guadalcanal Island, accused did have sexual intercourse with the victim his nephew without his consent, knowing about or being reckless as to the lack of consent.

Public Prosecution office for the crown and PSO act for the accused.

PM supports ESP audit investigations

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Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele.

BY NED GAGAHE

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has backed calls for investigations into the findings of the Economic Stimulus Package (ESP) audit report released by the Office of the Auditor General.

Speaking to local media in a press conference upon his return from a weeklong official tour of the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia yesterday, Prime Minister Manele expressed his shock at the revelations, describing it as “very unfortunate and regrettable.”

He stated that the ESP was intended to support the economy during the global COVID-19 pandemic and acknowledged that, to some extent, it succeeded in that goal.

“First of all, I would like to state publicly that ESP that was meant to keep the economy afloat during the global COVID – 19 Pandemic to a certain extent it did that it’s very unfortunate and regrettable that while the intention of the ESP was noble from what is reported its execution was poor.

“While I am yet to have the opportunity to read the report, I am indeed shocked on what I’m hearing revelations in the report.” PM Manele said.

The audit by the Office of the Auditor General has revealed significant fraud risks in the government’s $309 million Economic Stimulus Package (ESP) launched in 2020.

Following its release a week ago, the report has sparked public outrage on the handling of public funds.

The audit highlights troubling practices, including three government officials approving numerous payments, with one clearing 251 cheques totaling $6.8 million. Out of over 2,000 grant payments made, only 200 applications were available for review, raising concerns about accountability and transparency.

Auditor General David Dennis pointed out that the implementation of the ESP was hampered by inadequate laws, a lack of administrative resources, and poor documentation practices, leading to inefficient use of public funds.

In response, the Leader of the Opposition and other institutions, including the Solomon Islands Council of Trade Union (SICTU), are calling for investigations into the findings.

The report highlighted the urgent need for reforms to prevent future misuse of public resources.

BLC to conclude hearing on SOE amendment Bill Friday

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BLC

BY NED GAGAHE

The parliamentary Bills and Legislation Committee (BLC) is set to wrap up its hearings on the State-Owned Enterprise (Amendment) Bill 2024 this Friday.

According to the Parliament media unit, nearly all organizations and individuals invited to testify and present their submissions have participated, with only a few remaining to appear.

The objective of the State-Owned Enterprises (Amendment) Bill 2024 is to amend the State-Owned Enterprises Act 2007 in accordance with the Government’s endorsement of the SOE Ownership Policy 2018 and the National Gender Equality and Women’s Development Policy 2016-2020 to:

(a) to consolidate ownership monitoring responsibility for State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) in the Minister of Finance alone.

(b) clarify the process through which state-owned enterprises provide Community Service Obligations: and

(c) strengthen the publication requirements of a state-owned enterprise of documents or information about the state-owned enterprise that are tabled in Parliament; and

(d) include a regulation-making power relating to the evaluation of directors of state-owned enterprises and the election of board chairpersons and deputy chairpersons

During yesterday’s hearing, several institutions, primarily state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and government ministries, presented before the committee.

Among those who spoke at the initial hearing on Tuesday were officials from the Ministry of Finance and Treasury, led by Permanent Secretary McKinnie Dentana. Additionally, Mr. Philip Kanairara, Chairman of the Law Reform Commission, and former SIWA Board Chairman Mr. Donald Marahare also contributed to the discussions.

38-yo man accused of false pretence bailed after 5 days in custody

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BY ROMINAH FAKA

The Magistrate Court has refused prosecution’s remand application of a 38-year-old man who was in custody since October 5.

Court instead ordered the accused to pay $1,000 and released him under strict bail conditions yesterday.

Joe Rex Raukaniu is charged with two counts of false pretence.

Police alleged in two separate occasions on an unknown date in February, 2023 Raukaniu told two separate complainants that he was one of the agents who recruited workers for Australia for seasonal.

It was alleged that accused took $2,500 from the first complainant and $2,300 from the second complainant.

Upon receiving the amount, Raukaniu  told the complainants that he would update them on the status of their names for seasonal work.  

However, the two complainants waited but there was no response from the accused regarding the seasonal work updates he had promised.

So, the complainants went and lodged their complaints with the police.

Police went and arrest the accused on Saturday last week and remanded him in custody until yesterday, where magistrate court released him on bail.

The matter was moved to October 23 for mention. Prosecution to update the court on the investigation’s status on the next mention date and bail for Raukaniu was extended. Georgina Oroi appears for the crown and Wesley Faita’a for the accused.

‘RECTIFY YOUR ACTIONS NOW’

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Kenilorea calls out Tovosia over breaking of law in SIWA board appointments

BY INDY MAEALASIA

Leader of parliamentary independents Peter Kenilorea Jr has called on Mines minister Braddley Tovosia to reverse his illegal appointment of more than two public officers into the SIWA Board.

In a statement yesterday, Kenliorea Jr said the actions by Tovosia are gravely concerning and that that “exceed the powers vested in him by law”.

“The appointments, dated 13 September, 2024, were gazetted on the 26th of the same month,” the statement said.

Tovosia removed the Solomon Water as a state-owned enterprise in late August, then appointed a new board of directors in mid-September which included:

Former MP Dr Culwick Togamana as Chairman, Mines PS Dr Christopher Vehe, Lands Commissioner Alan McNeil, MNPDC PS Dr Melchior Mataki, MOFT PS Mckinnie Dentana, Police Commissioner Mostyn Mangau, and SICCI CEO Namoi Rawali Kaluae as members.

Only one board member is not a government officer –  SICCI CEO.

On board membership, the Second Schedule (Section 6) of the SIWA Act states:

1. (1) The Board shall consist of the following members, namely –

(a) a Chairman appointed by the Minister;

(b) the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry charged with responsibility for the administration of urban water supply; and

(c) five members appointed by the Minister of whom two shall be public officers.

(2) The General Manager of the Authority shall be an ex-officio member of the Board.

Kenilorea Jr highlighted that unless there has been amendments to the relevant law which he is not aware of, Minister Tovosia appointed more than two public officers to the board of five, a clear contravention of the statutory limits established under the relevant laws governing the Solomon Islands Water Authority.

“The SIWA Act clearly states that of the five board members that can be appointed to the board of SIWA, only two should be public officers.

“As a minister of the Crown entrusted with the responsibility of serving our people, it is imperative that we conduct our duties within the boundaries set by law,” said Kenilorea.

“The Minister’s decision to appoint more than two public officers to the board is not only legally questionable, but it also sets a dangerous precedent for undermining the rule of law in this country.”

Kenilorea further called on Tovosia to act swiftly in correcting this breach of law and ensuring that such actions do not recur.

“Our country is built on the foundation that no one is above the law. This principle is not negotiable. I urge the Minister to respect the laws that govern his office and to ensure that he acts within the legal framework entrusted to him by the people of Solomon Islands,” Kenilorea added.

The Independent Group Leader emphasised that accountability is paramount in the dispensation of public duties.

“As leaders, we must be the first to uphold the law and maintain transparency in our actions. The people of Solomon Islands deserve no less,” he said.

Kenilorea Jr reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that all government officials, regardless of their rank, adhere strictly to the laws of the land. He noted that a failure to do so threatens the integrity of the country’s institutions and undermines public confidence in the government.

Human Rights Defenders workshop underway

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Group photo

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

A Regional Workshop for Human Rights Defenders commenced yesterday in Honiara at the Heritage Park Hotel. This three-day event, which began on Tuesday, October 8, and will conclude on Thursday, October 10, has been organized by the Pacific Human Rights Network.

The workshop aims to familiarize participants with essential human rights concepts and mechanisms, particularly from the perspective of the United Nations, while providing them with practical knowledge to actualize human rights and foster positive social change.

In her opening remarks, Ms. Heike Alefsen, the Regional Representative of the Pacific Regional Office, emphasized that human rights defenders are pivotal agents of change. She articulated that these defenders envision a better future for all and possess the means to transform that vision into reality.

“We all have the right – and the responsibility – to defend human rights. This fundamental yet impactful notion was the foundation of the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, adopted by the General Assembly 50 years after the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR),” she stated.

The workshop has gathered students from the University of the South Pacific (USP) and the Solomon Islands National University (SINU), along with representatives from government agencies, private sector organizations, and civil society groups.

On the first day, participants were provided with an overview of the three-day agenda before delving into more detailed discussions on Wednesday and Thursday. The opening session also included an introduction to the topic of human rights defenders, along with a panel discussion and a question-and-answer segment.

Participants were encouraged to engage actively by posing questions and sharing comments with representatives from the Pacific Human Rights Network and the panelists. The workshop will continue today and conclude tomorrow, October 10, at the Heritage Park Hotel.

Together we can make a difference for a sustainable marine environment

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Tom Coward, British High Commissioner delivering his remarks at the workshop.

BY LORETTA B MANELE

Together, we can make a difference for a safer, cleaner and a more sustainable future for our marine environment.

British High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, Tom Coward, made the statement at the “Strengthening Marine Pollution Incident Resilience in the Pacific Islands” workshop which kicked off yesterday at the Heritage Park Hotel.

He stressed that marine pollution is widely recognized as one of the three major threats to our ocean along with habitat destruction and over exploitation of marine resources.

Coward said marine pollution incidents can have devastating impacts on the marine life, coastal communities, local livelihoods, the national economy and the global system.

He voiced that the importance of coastal and marine environments to every aspect of people’s livelihood in Solomon Islands cannot be overstated and the impacts from marine pollution is a major concern for Solomon Islands and the pacific.

“People know and have seen the huge damage on fragile environments, the damage on communities and the high cost to the economy”

Coward expressed that this is not only a local issue but a global one and the United Kingdom is delighted to be able to support Solomon Islands on maritime pollution response.

“I am absolutely delighted that we are able to support Solomon Islands’ regional efforts on maritime pollution response”

He said by sharing our knowledge and experience and bringing together best practice and lived experiences, we can develop more effective strategies and enhance our readiness.

Coward encouraged participants from the region and regional agencies to participate in discussions, ask questions and share their experiences through open dialogue.

“Together we can make a difference for safer, cleaner and more sustainable future for our marine environment”

He said the workshop is part of UK’s wider efforts on building a sustainable ocean partnership with Solomon Islands.

“Something that is of paramount importance in Solomon Islands and in the pacific is a global significance to us all”

Wale urges police to initiate investigations into ‘deeply troubling’ ESP audit report

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Opposition leader, Matthew Wale

BY INDY MAEALASIA

LEADER of Opposition Matthew Wale has called on police to immediately investigate the findings of the damning audit report on the economic stimulus package (ESP).

“Investigations must proceed with technical support for police in financial expertise for the investigations,” Mr Wale said in a statement yesterday.

The report findings are deeply troubling, he said, adding that the report provides “sufficient evidence for police to proceed with criminal investigations”.

“Pursue every lead,” Opposition Leader Wale said.

The Opposition Leader’s office has been informed that some very senior politicians and government officials are implicated in the report findings, Wale said in the statement.

Wale said that no one is above accountability and urged police to resist any pressures that might compromise the integrity of the investigations.

Wale commended the Auditor General and his officers for their diligent work producing a very clear report that point towards serious misappropriation of public funds.

The Opposition Leader urged the public to remain interested and engaged in the ESP investigations to ensure they are conducted thoroughly and transparently.

Wale expressed his office’s anticipation for the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) when it will delve into the details of the ESP report at the appropriate time.

The Opposition Leader also encouraged the AG to apply the same level of diligence with the Pacific Games special audit.

“We cannot continue to sit back and watch whilst these evil deeds are happening,” he said.

The Office of the Auditor General released its report on the audit into the ESP on Wednesday last week.

The report uncovered a string of major fraud involving millions of dollars, weak government mechanism to ensure proper verification and documentation in the administration of the public funds, and lack of transparency.

The Opposition leader’s call is the latest of the growing number of calls for government and police to act on the ESP report.

Transparency Solomon Islands and the country’s council of trade union (SICTU) have called for responsible authorities and government to act, including a prompt for government to table the report in parliament.

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