The Solomon Islands has pledged to the United Nations to deliver free universal education by 2027.
Earlier this week, the Solomon Islands delegation supported 140 out of 181 recommendations from the country’s most recent Universal Periodic Review at the 63rd Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC).
Delegation lead Martin Kwaifono told the UNHRC that the Solomon Islands government was actively pursuing a policy that would provide universal free education for all by next year.
“So that no child is turned away from school because the family cannot afford the fees. This is to relieve the huge burdens that families continuously cannot bear, especially in rural areas.”
Kwaifono said the government was also committed to confronting transnational crime and establishing a national human rights institution.
The Solomon Islands acceded to the UN Convention against Transnational Organised Crime (UNTOC) on 27 August.
Kwaifono said becoming a party to UNTOC demonstrated the nation’s commitment to confronting the threat of transnational organised crime, which is “raging the very fabrics of our communities”.
He said setting up a national human rights institution was “a national priority” and reflected the government’s commitment to strengthening human rights protections.
The Solomon Islands government is also working on advancing legislation to move the legal age for marriage to 18.
Kwaifono told the UNHRC that the work being done to raise the marriage age to 18 showed “a commitment to upholding the values and rights of young girls and women in our society”.
He said the Solomon Islands had noted with “great enthusiasm” a total of 41 recommendations, but that this should not be construed as a lack of commitment in advancing the nation’s human rights obligations.
“For a least developing country like the Solomon Islands, we are very cautious about the responsibilities we intend to take upon ourselves.
“It will be very irresponsible of us to ratify [or] accede to a convention when we do not have the adequate resources or lack the capacity for implementation.
“Therefore, we call on our international partners or partners to support us in these endeavours,” he said.
