Solomon Islands Submits 4th UPR Report to UN Human Rights Council

Solomon Islands presented its 4th Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Report during the 52nd Working Group Session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva on Monday 11 May.

The Universal Periodic Review is a unique mechanism of the Human Rights Council through which every United Nations Member State undergoes a peer review of its human rights record every four and a half years.

The national report was prepared through broad consultations and interviews with stakeholders, including outcomes from the 2023 Human Rights Mid-Term Workshop. Solomon Islands also acknowledged the support received from the Secretariat of the Pacific Community, the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, the Commonwealth Small States Office, and the UN Regional Human Rights Office in Fiji during the preparation process.

Presenting the report was Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, H.E. Collin Beck. During his statement to the Council, Permanent Secretary Beck reaffirmed Solomon Islands’ commitment to protecting and promoting human rights.

“Our human rights obligations are embedded in the State’s Constitution. The supreme law of the country, like the UN Charter, begins with ‘We the people’ and speaks to the rights and freedoms of the people of Solomon Islands,” Permanent Secretary Beck stated.

He further noted that these rights are strengthened through various Acts of Parliament and national legislation.

Permanent Secretary Beck also highlighted the importance of the UPR process at a time when confidence in multilateral institutions is under pressure.

“The open, consultative, and interactive nature of the UPR mechanism strengthens our shared global aspiration to free our people from want and fear, and to enable them to live in dignity,” he said.

The Head of Delegation also updated the Council on several policy and legislative reforms currently under development. These include plans to replace the Juvenile Offenders Act 1972 with a Youth Justice Bill aligned with child protection standards. Amendments concerning child abuse provisions under the Penal Code Act 2016, together with provisions under the Evidence Act 2009 to allow audio-recorded testimony for children and special arrangements for children with disabilities, are also under consideration.

During the interactive dialogue, Solomon Islands received 193 recommendations from 67 Member States for consideration and possible implementation over the next four and a half years.

The adoption of Solomon Islands’ national report is scheduled for Friday 15 May in Geneva.